American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023

“Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law”: Unmasking the Constraints of Domesticity
Adrienne Rich

The poem "Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law" by Adrienne Rich depicts a moving image of a lady confined to the norms of traditional domesticity. The poem reveals the subtle but oppressive limitations imposed on women inside the patriarchal family structure through a sequence of broken photographs.

Important motifs that lend credence to this perspective are:

The title, "Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law," highlights the speaker's disarray and lack of agency, highlighting the loss of uniqueness. Her identity is absorbed into the patriarchal family, and her relationships with others are the only things that identify her.
The home is portrayed in the poem as a stuffy, suffocating place full of repetitious chores and routine tasks, much like a jail. The speaker yearns to leave domesticity behind and find fulfillment elsewhere.
The weight of expectations: The poem draws attention to the implicit demands made of the daughter-in-law, including fitting in and performing customs. These assumptions restrict her options and goals, keeping her stuck in a never-ending cycle of unrealized potential.
The poem emphasizes how women's work in the home is invisible and is often done in silence. They frequently feel alone and frustrated since their voices are not heard and their contributions are often taken for granted.
The struggle for self-expression: The speaker exhibits a desire for self-discovery and creative expression in spite of the constraints imposed upon her. Writing and reading moments reveal a personality that is autonomous and yearns to escape the limitations of her assigned role.
Particular poetry components that support these ideas include:

"You, once a belle in Shreveport," the first line, highlights the difference between the woman's former and present identities and immediately creates a sense of lost individuality.
recurring visions of household chores: Notions such as "reading while waiting for the iron to heat," "writing, My Life had stood—a loaded gun—in that Amherst pantry," and "the jellies boil and scum" highlight how repetitive and endless household chores can be.
Images of incarceration and liberation that contrast: In this poetry, the speaker's longing for independence is portrayed by the "open road," while the constraints placed on her by her role are symbolically depicted by the "kitchen walls."
unsaid expectations and desires: The poem uses silence as a potent weapon to show the speaker's inner struggles and unsaid expectations. She doesn't express her own feelings or thoughts too often, which highlights her lack of autonomy.
Periods of defiance and confidence: Moments such as the speaker's writing and reading reveal hints of resistance and a desire for self-expression, though they are subtle. Even though they are brief, these moments give rise to optimism and the prospect of future transformation.
The novel "Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law" is a potent critique of the restrictions imposed on women in patriarchal societies. It exposes the oppressive confines of domesticity as well as the covert but ubiquitous pressures that stifle women's voices and restrict their autonomy. The poem challenges us to consider these limitations and the customs that are placed on women by providing an insight into the speaker's inner struggles and goals. It is an appeal for self-awareness, rebelliousness, and the quest of personal freedom outside the boundaries of societal norms.