Question

How does Xiomara reckon with her own silence in The Poet X?

Accepted Answer

In one of her poems, "Asylum," Xiomara expresses her desire to escape from what she describes as the asylum of a silent home life with aging parents. This is a development of a theme that she first introduced in an earlier poem, "The Last Word on Being Born to Old Parents," when she refers to the oath of silence that her father has supposedly taken. Clearly, this is not a household for small children because they cannot play, explore, and express themselves loudly.
Thank heavens, then, for music—which, as Xiomara tells us in "Asylum," provides her with a welcome escape from her stifling surroundings. The songs that she's particularly drawn to are those where people express all the things that hurt them. According to her, this is one reason why there's nothing quite like music for establishing a bridge between oneself and a total stranger.

The Poet X

How does Xiomara reckon with her own silence in The Poet X?

Expert Answers

Unlock This Answer Now

Related Questions

Why is Xiomara's relationship with church in The Poet X difficult?

How does Xiomara change from the beginning of the book The Poet X to the end?

What are the similarities and differences between Twin and Xiomara in The Poet X?

In The Poet X, who was Xiomara's best friend?

In the middle of the novel The Poet X, why does Xiomara get a harsh punishment from her mother?