Young Establishment

“Rites of Passage” by Sharon Olds was such an interesting poem! I loved how it is spoken through the mother’s point of view. Not only does she see the potential in her own child, but also in her son’s friends. She describes what the boys are doing and experiencing with insights that only a mom can provide. She has the ability to view the characteristics that the children display strongly and she transfers those into the future for our amusement.

The line “short men, men in first grade” proves that she is fast-forwarding in her mind and observing adults rather than children. She realizes that in no time her vision will actually become reality. She says that they “eye each other, seeing themselves tiny in the other’s pupils”. The word “tiny” is actually how the boys believe that the others view them. They begin trying to establish themselves as they want the others to view them: they state their ages or their toughness in order to prove superiority.

You can sense the pride of the mom when she speaks of her son being the peacemaker. “My son, freckles like specks of nutmeg on his cheeks, chest narrow as the balsa keel of a model boat, long hands cool and thin as the day they guided him out of me, speaks up as a host for the sake of the group” This gentle portrayal of her son paint the picture of a peaceful person who is also capable of leadership. He rescues the underdogs and pacifies the bullies but stating that all of them could easily take a two-year-old. It was quite an awkward statement, but he knew his friends and used wise judgment in ending that divisive conversation. “The older men agree, they clear their throats like Generals, they relax and get down to playing war, celebrating my son’s life” This last few lines prove that her young son has influence and that will carry over into his future.