16 pages • 32 minutes read
To My Mother
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Themes
The Meaning of Motherhood
Poe explores the meaning of motherhood by exploring the sound of the word “mother.” The first lines of the poem suggest that the word was chosen for mothers especially because of its loveliness. The idea of angels selecting this word, “whispering” (Line 2) in secrecy in the heavens above all of humanity, suggests how special “mother” is to the speaker. Motherhood is associated with angelic guardianship of children; mothers raise and protect their children while also providing them with the skills needed to live independent lives. The speaker is grateful to his mother-in-law because she cared for him in a motherly way and because she gifted him with his wife whom he loved dearly.
Poe also contrasts his relationships with his mother-in-law and biological mother, who passed away when he was almost three years old. Poe’s use of dashes in Lines 5-6 (“by that dear name I long have called you— / You who are more than mother unto me”) suggests that motherhood also applies to those who provide shelter, love, and care and who are present in a child's life. The dashes highlight that the speaker is addressing a single individual, rather than all mothers. Though the speaker’s dismissal of his biological mother can be interpreted as harsh or cruel, the speaker’s wish is to clarify that being a mother is much more meaningful than what one might understand.
Eternity and the Soul
Poe explores the theme of eternity and the human soul by exploring how his love for his mother-in-law is an expression of his love for his deceased wife, Virginia. Though Virginia is no longer living, Poe suggests that his love for her will never die and that their souls are forever entwined.
Through imagery of divinity, death, and souls, Poe offers consolation for himself and for his mother-in-law who grieved her daughter’s death. Poe is showing that he will forever be connected to his mother-in-law by their shared grief over Virginia's death. Poe uses imagery to depict the heavenly nature of his love for his mother-in-law. By beginning the poem with an image of angels whispering of mothers “in the Heavens above” (Line 1), Poe shows his great esteem for mothers in general. However, this also suggests that the speaker is offering hope of an afterlife, and a belief in the eternal nature of the human soul, to provide solace to the mother who was grieving her daughter’s death.
Using imagery of death in Line 7 juxtaposed with imagery of love, Virginia’s untimely death adds even greater poignancy to the speaker’s affection for his mother-in-law. In the poem’s final couplet, Poe shifts the subject dramatically away from the topic of mothers and toward that of souls and the everlasting nature of love: “By that infinity with which my wife / Was dearer to my soul than its soul-life” (Lines 13-14). The speaker’s reference to infinity depicts the deep nature of the speaker’s love for his wife and uses imagery of spirits and the heavens to show that she was more precious to him than life itself.
Gratitude for Family
The speaker feels deep gratitude and reverence for his mother-in-law who continued to act like a mother to him even after the passing of his wife. Poe explores the theme of gratitude by explaining how his mother-in-law has improved his life. First, the poet focuses on gratitude in a more general sense by showing how honorable it is to be called “mother”: The speaker remarks that the word is the most “devotional” (Line 4) term of endearment that exists. Poe begins first by establishing his devotion to his mother-in-law, and then explains why she is worthy of being called mother even though she is not his biological mother. Using language that is sensitive, tender, and thoughtful, such as “you / Are mother to the one I loved so dearly” (Lines 10-11), the speaker shows that his gratitude is based on sincere affection and love for what this person has brought into his life. Poe uses imagery to explain more particularly why his mother-in-law is so important to him by stating that her daughter Virginia filled his “heart of hearts” (Line 7). He is suggesting that because she brought Virginia into the world, she is responsible for the love he felt for his wife. The speaker’s thankfulness toward his mother-in-law appears heartfelt and sincere due to the specificity of the language and the sweet and loving tone that Poe has created.
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By Edgar Allan Poe
