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Summary. 'The Portrait' by Stanley Kunitz gives heartbreaking insight into the cyclical nature of trauma within families. The speaker of ‘The Portrait’ opens with a dually shocking and profoundly depressing statement of fact: their mother has never forgiven their father for his suicide.
- Male
- May 13, 1994
- Poetry Analyst
As the author penns a biographical sketch of his identity, he paints his own portrait. He clearly capsulizes an irreversible event that has obsessed him from the womb. He and his mother are stranded and tormented by their past, unable to heal because of unforgiveness, holding them both captive.
I can feel my cheek. still burning. Born on July 29, 1905, Stanley Kunitz was the author of many poetry collections, as well as the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Selected Poems, 1928-1958. About Stanley Kunitz. The Portrait - My mother never forgave my father.
The Portrait. ‘The Portrait’ by Stanley Kunitz is a sad poem about the speaker’s ill-fated attempt to learn more about their deceased father. This might not be the greatest of Kunitz's poems but its personal nature and heavy subject matter make it a powerfully poignant illustration of grief.
What is a critical analysis of Stanley Kunitz's poem "The Portrait"? PDF Share. Expert Answers. Kimberly Fujioka, M.A. | Certified Educator. Share Cite. The poet is speaking about the...
Apr 23, 2021 · The loss of the father is part of the cornerstone on which Stanley Kunitz built his poetry, an endeavor that evolved over nine decades. One of Kunitz’s poems, “ The Portrait ,” recalls a powerful encounter between the young Kunitz and his mother.
Jun 13, 2023 · Amanda Holmes reads Stanley Kunitz’s poem “ The Portrait .”. Have a suggestion for a poem by a (dead) writer? Email us: podcast@theamericanscholar.org. If we select your entry, you’ll win a copy of a poetry collection edited by David Lehman. This episode was produced by Stephanie Bastek and features the song “Canvasback” by Chad Crouch.
