“I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. She begins, and my grandmother joins her.
2. Mother and daughter sing like young girls.
3. If my father were alive, he would play
4. his accordion and sway like a boat.
5. I’ve never been in Peking, or the Summer Palace,
6. nor stood on the great Stone Boat to watch
7. the rain begin on Kuen Ming Lake, the picnickers
8. running away in the grass.
9. But I love to hear it sung;
10. how the waterlilies fill with rain until
11. they overturn, spilling water into water,
12. then rock back, and fill with more.
13. Both women have begun to cry.
14. But neither stops her song.

Introduction

Written by Li-Young Lee, “I Ask My Mother to Sing” first appeared in his collection of poems titled Rose. It was published in 1986. The poem quickly won popularity and became one of Lee’s most famous works. It has also won places in several anthologizies, and school textbooks. The major reason behind its popularity lies in its expression of familial intimacy, cultural identity, and the power of memory.  Besides this, the poem also points to the cultural heritage of the author.

Annotations of “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

Word	Annotation
Grandmother	The mother of the speaker’s mother.
Accordion	A musical instrument that is played by squeezing and expanding the bellows while pressing buttons or keys to produce sound.
Peking	The old name for Beijing, the capital city of China.
Summer Palace	A palace complex in Beijing, China, which served as a royal garden and a summer retreat for the Qing dynasty emperors.
Stone Boat	A large, ornate boat made of stone that is located in the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Kuen Ming Lake	A lake in the Summer Palace in Beijing, known for its scenic views and historical significance.
Picnickers	People who go on a picnic, an outdoor meal typically enjoyed in a scenic location.
Waterlilies	Aquatic plants with round leaves and fragrant, showy flowers that float on the surface of water.
Song	The act of singing, or a piece of music with lyrics that are sung.
Overturn	To turn something upside down or to tip it over.
Spill	To cause liquid to flow over the edge of a container and onto a surface.
Rock back	To move backward and forward or from side to side in a gentle manner.
Cry	To shed tears as an expression of strong emotion, such as sadness or joy.

Literary Devices in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

Literary Device	Verse Reference	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	“Spilling water into water” and “neither stops her song” (lines 11, 14)	It is the repetition of initial consonant sounds which create a musical effect or draw attention to certain words or phrases such as “w” and “s” in these two verses.
Enjambment	“If my father were alive, he would play / his accordion and sway like a boat.” (lines 3-4)	When a line of poetry runs on to the next line without a pause or punctuation, it creates a sense of continuity or emphasize certain words or ideas. This is clear that third verse has no pause or a punctuation.
Imagery	I’ve never been in Peking, or the Summer Palace, nor stood on the great Stone Boat to watch the rain begin on Kuen Ming Lake, the picnickers running away in the grass. / how the waterlilies fill with rain until they overturn, spilling water into water, then rock back, and fill with more. (lines 5-12)	It is descriptive language that creates mental images or sensory impressions in the reader’s mind. It evokes emotions or convey certain themes or ideas such as these verses.
Metaphor	how the waterlilies fill with rain until they overturn, spilling water into water, then rock back, and fill with more.” (lines 10-11)	It is a comparison between two things that are not literally alike and in which one thing is described in terms of another to convey a certain idea or emotion. Waterlillies have been compared to human beings.
Onomatopoeia	his accordion and sway like a boat. (line 4)	It means words that imitate or suggest the sound of the object or action they describe, which can create a sense of vividness or realism.
Personification	“how the waterlilies fill with rain until they overturn, spilling water into water, then rock back, and fill with more.” (lines 10-11)	It is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human things or concepts, which can create a sense of familiarity or relatability.
Simile	“sing like young girls” (line 2) and “Sway like a boat.”	It is a comparison with the words “like” or “as” such as mother and daughter have been compared to young girls and father to a boat.

Sound and Poetic Devices in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

Sound/Poetic Device	Examples/References	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	– Spilling water into water (line 11)	Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words in a phrase or sentence such as “w” in line 11. This alliteration creates a musical effect that enhances the rhythm and flow of the lines.
Assonance	– She begins and my grandmother joins her (line 1) I’ve never been in Peking, or the Summer Palace (line 5)	Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close to each other such as “e” in line 1 and again “e” in line 5. It creates a harmonious effect and can be used to evoke certain emotions or moods. Here assonance creates a smooth and melodic flow to the lines.
Consonance	– How the waterlilies fill with rain until (line 10)  Both women have begun to cry (line 13)	Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words such as “l” sound in line 10 and then “b” in line 13. It creates a subtle musical effect and can be used to create emphasis or add texture to a poem. Here consonance creates a sense of unity and harmony among the words and ideas in each line.
Rhyme Scheme	The poem does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.	A rhyme scheme is the pattern of end rhymes in a poem. In this poem, the poet does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.
Diction	– Peking, Summer Palace, Kuen Ming Lake, accordion (lines 3, 5, 7, and 4)	Diction refers to the choice and use of words and phrases in writing. The poet uses precise and specific words that create vivid imagery and convey a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Verse Type	The poem is written in free verse.	Verse type refers to the structure and form of a poem. In this poem, the poet uses free verse, which does not follow a specific structure or form. This allows the poet to create a more fluid and natural expression of the ideas and emotions in the poem.
Stanza Type	The poem comprises 3 quatrains and one unrhyming couplet.	These three quatrains keep the thematic strain tied to the whole poem with the couplet supporting them.
Poem Type	The poem is a lyric poem.	Poem type refers to the category or genre of a poem. In this poem, the poet uses a lyric poem, which is a type of poetry that expresses personal emotions or thoughts. The poet uses personal experiences and memories to convey a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Tone	The tone of the poem is nostalgic and reflective.	Tone refers to the attitude or mood conveyed by the words and phrases in a poem. This poem shows a reflective and nostalgic tone.

Functions of Literary Devices in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. Enhancing the Imagery: The use of literary devices in poetry helps to create vivid and sensory images in the reader’s mind. The poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows similes, metaphors, and other literary devices describing the singing of the mother and daughter. For example, the simile “like young girls” in the second stanza creates a clear image of the two women singing with youthful joy. Also, the use of sensory details such as “her voice rising like a fearless bird,” and “my grandmother joining her” allows the reader to imagine the scene and feel the emotions. The poet has actually invited his readers to engage with his emotional condition at a deeper level and this has happened because of the imagery.
2. Setting the Tone: Literary devices also help to set the tone of a poem. “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” shows how images create a wistful and nostalgic tone. Specifically, the images used in the fifth line, for example, create a sense of distance and exoticism, highlighting the power of the imagination to transport a person to new places. Repetition such as of the women and their action of singing also helps set the tone, leading to emotional depth and complexity.
3. Creating Meaning: Literary devices create layers of meaning in poems. “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows as the repetition of the image of the waterlilies as the rain is filling them and they are spilled over showing different meanings. This metaphor means the cyclical nature of life. It also affirms the constant renewal of the natural world. The allusion of the Stone Boat in the sixth stanza also adds cultural and historical context to this poem. It helps the poet to create a greater depth in meaning. The use of some other literary devices such as sound and poetic devices helps the poet to create a multiplicity of meanings.
4. Establishing Cultural and Historical Context: Allusions to cultural and historical events and places in a poem help to establish context. They also provide the reader with a greater understanding of the poet’s personal and cultural background. “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows the use of specific allusions, such as Peking, the Summer Palace, and the Stone Boat. They the poet to establish his personal and cultural background, and add depth to the themes of memory and family. This shows how these allusions have helped readers to understand the main idea of the poet.

Themes in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. Family and Memory: “I Ask My Mother to Sing” is a powerful expression of family and memory. The poet speaker reflects on the memories of his mother and grandmother singing together, and the emotional impact that those memories have on him. He uses clear images and sensory language to express his sense of nostalgia, while the repetition of the phrase “she begins” establishes a pattern to create a sense of familiarity. The theme of family, too, is apparent in the use of symbols and images as they show the love and care that the family has for each other. It couples with the theme of memory when the poet reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. In short, the poem celebrates the power of family and memory to connect us to our past and our loved ones.
2. Loss and Grief: “I Ask My Mother to Sing” presents the theme of loss and grief that the poet has undergone. He mourns the loss of his loved ones, including his grandmother whose singing he recalls, and his father, who went to war. He uses images and language to create this sense of mourning and repeated phrases such as “she begins” to create a sense of ritual and memorialization. The poet further reinforces this with the mention of geographical allusions such as Peking, the Summer Palace, and Kuen Ming Lake to add to this grief. In short, the title of the poem, too, seems a sense of loss of the past time.
3. Time and Change: The theme of time and change is prominent in the poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” as Young Lee seems reflecting on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. It is clear from his mention of the memories of his mother and grandmother singing together. His use of personification of waterlilies reinforces this image and it reaches its pinnacle when he refers to the women singing and never stopping. This shows how he uses other devices such as enjambment and even sound devices to show a sense of fluidity and connection between the various memories and time.
4. Art and Beauty: “I Ask My Mother to Sing” explores the themes of art and beauty. The beauty of the mother’s singing shows the poet’s talent not only in recalling the skill and art of his mother but also the connoisseur of his father who identifies the talent in his mother and enjoys her song. Young Lee uses sensory language and clear images to help him to create a sense of beauty and artistry. The themes have been further reinforced by the repetition of certain words and the rhythm of the poem maintained through enjambments.  

Literary Theories and “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. Feminist Theory: Feminist theory emphasizes the role of gender and power in shaping our understanding of literary pieces and how they reflect this cultural aspect of society. The poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows how the poet feels influenced by his mother and grandmother. The influence they have had on his father, too, is apparent. Their act of singing not only seems an allurement but also a memory for the next generations. That is why the poet feels connected with his country as well as his past and feels that their song echoes in his mental recesses.
2. Reader-Response Theory: Reader-response theory emphasizes the role of the reader in shaping the meaning and interpretation of a literary work. The poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows not only family but also memory and a feeling of regret over this loss. This is up to the readers to interpret how they see this loss or this nostalgia or this loss of the natural world. Specifically, the compatriots of the poet would see it as the loss of the world while for others it could be the exile.
3. New Criticism: New Criticism emphasizes the close analysis of the literary work itself, without considering historical or biographical context. “I Ask My Mother to Sing” shows it through the use of literary devices such as repetition, imagery, metaphors, and enjambments used to structure meanings and ideas. For example, the critics could use the repetition of the phrase “she begins” as having a sense of ritual and familiarity, while the use of sensory language and vivid imagery could have an emotional impact. Themes and their expression through different verses, too, point the critics to connect the dots of interpretations.

Essay Topics, Questions with Thesis Statements about “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. Essay Topic: Imagery in “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee

Question: How does Li-Young Lee use imagery to enhance the reader’s understanding of the themes in “I Ask My Mother to Sing”?

Thesis statement: Li-Young Lee uses sensory details and figurative language to create vivid imagery in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” which adds depth and complexity to the themes of memory, family, and cultural identity.

• Essay Topic: Literary Devices in “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee

Question: How does Li-Young Lee’s use of literary devices contribute to the overall tone and meaning of “I Ask My Mother to Sing”?

Thesis statement: Li-Young Lee’s use of literary devices such as allusion, repetition, and irony in “I Ask My Mother to Sing” creates a rich and complex tapestry of meaning and emotion, enhancing the poem’s exploration of memory, family, and cultural identity.

• Essay Topic: Mother-daughter relationship in “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee

Question: How does Li-Young Lee explore the mother-daughter relationship in “I Ask My Mother to Sing”?

Thesis statement: Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Li-Young Lee explores the complex and nuanced mother-daughter relationship in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” highlighting the themes of love, loss, and intergenerational memory.

• Essay Topic: Cultural and Historical Context of “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee.

Question: How does Li-Young Lee use allusion to provide cultural and historical context in “I Ask My Mother to Sing”?

Thesis statement: By alluding to cultural and historical events and places, Li-Young Lee provides a rich cultural and historical context in “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” which adds depth and meaning to the themes of memory, family, and cultural identity explored in the poem.

Short Questions-Answers about “I Ask My Mother to Sing,” Li-Young Lee

1. What is the significance of intergenerational trauma in “I Ask My Mother to Sing”?

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of traumatic experiences and their psychological effects from one generation to the next. It is interesting to note that the poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee explores this theme, showing how the emotional impact of war and displacement goes from the mother and grandmother’s lives to the next generation. He, the poet, bears witness to the pain and suffering of his family. That is why the act of asking his mother to sing becomes a way of acknowledging and honoring their history. By showing how the trauma of war and displacement goes from one to the other generation, Li-Young Lee highlights the importance of remembering and acknowledging the pain of the past to heal the future.

2. How does “I Ask My Mother to Sing” exemplify the use of sensory language in poetry?

Sensory language refers to the use of descriptive words and phrases that appeal to the five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee shows this use of language intended to create a vivid and emotional experience for the readers. The descriptions of the mother and grandmother’s singing are full of sensory details that evoke a strong emotional response. This is how Li-Young Lee invites the readers to connect with the emotional experience of the poet and creates a sense of unity and connection between the reader and the characters as well as himself.

3. How does “I Ask My Mother to Sing” illustrate the theme of cultural heritage in poetry?

Cultural heritage refers to the customs, traditions, beliefs, and values passed down from one generation to another. The poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” by Li-Young Lee shows the theme of cultural heritage that the poet has explored through his memory and storytelling. For example, he recalls the song of his mother and grandmother, which has become a way of passing on their cultural heritage to the next generation. The memory of his father swaying on the song of his mother, the allusions to the places he has lived, and the way he describes nature show he has a deep connection and attachment with his culture and place.

4. How does “I Ask My Mother to Sing” exemplify the use of metaphor in poetry?

A metaphor makes a comparison between two unlike things that share some common characteristics. Li-Young Lee uses the metaphor of waterlilies and a boat to create a deeper emotional resonance. For example, when his father sways like a boat, he gives an emotional touch to the lake that he mentions in the next stanza. Similarly, when he mentions waterlilies moving when filled with water shows how they, too, seem similar to his father swaying with rain.