3. THE GIFT
LI-YOUNG LEE
SUMMARY OF THE POEM
Li-Young Lee's poem "The Gift" reflects on
a childhood memory where the speaker's father gently removes a metal splinter
from his son's palm. To distract him from the pain, the father tells a soothing
story, creating a moment filled with tenderness and care. The speaker recalls
focusing on his father's "lovely face" rather than the blade,
highlighting the deep trust and affection between them.
Years later, the speaker finds himself in a similar
situation, removing a splinter from his wife's hand. He mirrors his father's
gentle approach, carefully shaving her thumbnail so she feels no pain. This act
of kindness reflects the lessons of compassion and tenderness he learned from
his father.
The poem emphasizes the enduring impact of parental
love and the way such gestures are passed down through generations. The
father's soothing voice and gentle hands become a model for the speaker's own
expressions of love and care. This cyclical nature of kindness underscores the
poem's title, "The Gift," suggesting that the true gift is the legacy
of love and compassion that continues to influence the speaker's actions.
Through vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion, Lee
captures the profound connections between family members and the lasting
impressions of simple, loving acts. The poem serves as a testament to the power
of gentle guidance and the ways in which these early experiences shape our
interactions with others throughout our lives.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Who is the speaker in the poem The Gift?
Ans: The speaker in the poem is an adult reflecting on a childhood
memory with his father.
2. What does the father remove from the speaker’s hand in
the poem?
Ans: The father removes a metal splinter from the speaker’s palm.
3. What story does the father tell while removing the
splinter?
Ans: The poem does not specify the exact story the father tells, but it
is described as a soothing story to distract the speaker from the pain.
4. What does the splinter symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The splinter symbolizes pain, challenges, and the gentle way love
and care can heal emotional and physical wounds.
5. How does the speaker describe the father’s voice?
Ans: The speaker describes the father’s voice as soothing and calming.
6. What act of kindness does the speaker recall
performing in the poem?
Ans: The speaker recalls gently removing a splinter from his wife's
hand, mirroring his father’s kindness.
7. What is the primary theme of The Gift?
Ans: The primary theme of the poem is the lasting impact of love,
kindness, and gentle care passed down through generations.
8. Which literary device is prominently used to describe
the father’s actions?
Ans: The poem uses imagery and symbolism to describe the father’s gentle
actions.
9. What does the poem reveal about the relationship
between the speaker and his father?
Ans: The poem reveals a deep bond of love, trust, and care
between the speaker and his father.
10. How does the speaker connect the past and present in
The Gift?
Ans: The speaker connects the past and present by recalling his father's
gentle care and replicating it while helping his wife, showing how love and
kindness are passed down.
II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS
1. Explore the theme of intergenerational
love and care in the Gift. How does Li-Young Lee use imagery and tone to
highlight the enduring impact of small acts of kindness?
Ans:Li-Young Lee's poem "The Gift" beautifully captures the theme of
intergenerational love and care through the memory of a simple yet meaningful
act of kindness. The speaker recalls a childhood moment when his father gently
removed a splinter from his palm. This small act of care becomes a symbol of
love that stays with the speaker into adulthood.
The imagery in the poem brings the memory to life. The
father’s hands are described as “lovely,” and his voice is gentle, calming the
child’s fear and pain. The poem paints a picture of a comforting, loving
atmosphere that makes the speaker feel safe. The use of words like “silver
tear” and “warmth” suggests the tenderness of the father’s care. These details
make the reader see the father not just as a parent but as a figure of kindness
and wisdom.
The tone of the poem is warm and reflective. The
speaker remembers this moment not only as a time of physical care but also as a
lesson in compassion. Years later, when the speaker removes a splinter from his
wife’s hand, he mirrors his father’s gentle approach. This act shows how deeply
the father's love has influenced him, teaching him how to care for others with
the same tenderness.
Through the use of simple, relatable imagery and a
heartfelt tone, Lee highlights how small acts of love can have a lasting
impact. The father’s gentle care becomes a legacy of love that the speaker
carries forward. The poem suggests that love and kindness can cross
generations, shaping us in ways we may not fully realize until we pass them on
to others. The splinter, a symbol of pain, becomes a gift of love — a lesson
passed from father to son and then to another generation.
2. Discuss the role of
memory in The Gift. How does the speaker’s reflection on a childhood experience
shape their understanding of love and compassion?
Ans:In Li-Young Lee's poem "The Gift", memory plays a key role in shaping the
speaker's understanding of love and compassion. The poem is built around a
childhood memory of the speaker's father gently removing a splinter from his
palm. This simple, caring act becomes a powerful symbol of love that stays with
the speaker throughout their life.
The memory of this moment is described in a vivid and
tender way. The father’s actions are gentle and careful, using a “voice that
calmed” to comfort the young child. The father's kindness leaves a lasting
mark, showing the speaker how love can be expressed through small, thoughtful
acts. This memory is not just a recollection but a lesson in how to care for
others.
As an adult, the speaker recalls this moment while
removing a splinter from his wife's hand. He mirrors his father's gentle
approach, realizing that the love shown to him in childhood has shaped how he
expresses care now. The memory connects the past and present, showing how
compassion can be passed from one generation to the next.
By reflecting on this childhood experience, the
speaker understands that love is not always expressed through grand gestures
but through everyday acts of kindness. The father's gentle touch and soothing
words become a model of compassion that the speaker carries forward. The poem
suggests that memories of love and care can guide us in our own actions,
helping us treat others with the same tenderness we once received.
Through this reflection, the speaker learns that love
is timeless and that even the smallest acts of kindness can leave a deep,
lasting impact. Memory, in this poem, is not just about looking back but about
shaping the way we show care and compassion to others in our lives.
3. Analyze the use of
symbolism in The Gift. How doe objects and actions, such as the splinter and
the father’s gesture, convey deeper meanings about relationships emotional
inheritance?
Ans:In Li-Young Lee’s poem "The Gift", symbolism is used to explore the deeper
meanings of relationships and emotional inheritance. The splinter and the
father’s gentle gesture symbolize more than just a simple act of removing a
small piece of wood. They represent the love, care, and wisdom passed down from
one generation to the next.
The splinter itself symbolizes pain and difficulties
in life. For a child, a splinter can seem like a big problem, and the father's
careful approach shows how love can help heal even the smallest wounds. The act
of removing the splinter becomes a symbol of the father’s protection and
guidance. It shows how a loving parent not only helps ease physical pain but
also teaches valuable lessons in patience, gentleness, and understanding.
The father’s gesture of removing the splinter with “a
voice that calmed” represents the gentle yet strong influence of parental love.
It is not just about the act itself, but about the way it is done—with care and
tenderness. This moment becomes a memory that stays with the speaker into
adulthood, guiding his own actions when he faces a similar situation. When the
speaker later removes a splinter from his wife’s hand, it shows that he has
inherited this same gentleness and compassion.
The poem suggests that these small acts of love create
a bond that lasts over time, even after the father is no longer present. The
memory of the father’s kindness becomes a guiding force, helping the speaker
show the same love to others. This emotional inheritance is more valuable than
any material gift, as it shapes how the speaker connects with and cares for
those around him.
Through symbolism, Lee shows that love and compassion
are passed down like a treasured gift—one that may seem small but has a
lasting, meaningful impact.
TOPICS FOR ASSIGNMENT
1. Write a heartfelt
letter to a parent, guardian or mentor, reflecting on a moment when they showed
care or support. Connect this moment to the themes of The Gift and discuss its
impact on your life.
Ans:
Dear
[Parent/Guardian/Mentor],
I hope this letter finds you well. I have been
thinking about a special moment from the past when you showed me such care and
support, and it reminded me of the themes in the poem "The Gift" by Li-Young Lee. In the poem, a father
gently removes a splinter from his child's hand, and this simple act of
kindness stays with the child for a lifetime.
I remember a time when I was going through a difficult
situation. I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, but you were there for
me. You listened patiently, gave me advice, and helped me feel calmer. Just
like the father in the poem, your words and presence made me feel safe and
understood. It may have seemed like a small act to you, but it had a big impact
on me.
The poem talks about how love and kindness pass from
one generation to another. Your support that day taught me how to show care and
empathy to others. It showed me that even small acts of kindness can make a
difference. Because of your guidance, I try to be more patient and
understanding with others, just as you were with me.
I am grateful for your care and for all the times you
have been there for me. The love and wisdom you have shared will always stay
with me, just like the memory in the poem. Thank you for being a source of
strength and kindness in my life.
With
love and appreciation,
[Your Name]
2. Write about your
father/ guardian
Ans:My father is a very special person in my life. He is
someone I admire and respect deeply because of his hard work, kindness, and
dedication to our family. My father is not just a provider; he is also a guide
and a friend to me.
One of the things I appreciate most about my father is
his ability to stay calm in difficult situations. Whenever I face a problem or
feel worried, he listens carefully and offers advice that helps me see things
more clearly. His patience makes me feel safe, and I know I can always count on
him. He has taught me the value of staying strong and positive, even when life
gets tough.
My father works hard to support our family, but he
also makes time for us. He enjoys sharing stories from his past, which are
often funny or full of wisdom. These stories not only entertain me but also
teach me important lessons about life. My father's sense of humor brings joy to
our home, and his laughter makes me happy.
He has also taught me the importance of honesty and
kindness. Whenever he helps someone, he does it selflessly, expecting nothing
in return. Watching him treat others with respect and generosity has inspired
me to do the same.
I am truly grateful for my father and all that he does
for our family. His love and support give me strength and confidence. I hope to
grow up to be as kind, patient, and strong as he is. My father is my role
model, and I am proud to have him in my life.
