Fear

Introduction

📘 “Fear” by Gabriela Mistral, a poignant piece by the Nobel laureate in Literature, delves deep into the emotions associated with protection and the intense fear of loss. Gabriela Mistral, a seminal figure in Latin American literature, often explored themes revolving around love, sorrow, and redemption, deeply rooted in her Chilean heritage and personal tragedies.

This poem, like much of her work, is nestled within the genre of lyrical poetry, where personal emotion and individual experience take center stage. In “Fear,” Mistral expresses a protective, almost visceral fear of losing a loved one, a theme that resonates with anyone who has ever cared deeply about another. The poem’s lyrical quality enhances its emotional depth, making it a profound exploration of human vulnerability and the instinct to shield our loved ones from harm.

Meaning of Fear

Opening Section In the initial lines of “Fear,” Gabriela Mistral immediately sets the tone of deep anxiety and protection. She writes:

“I do not want them to turn my little girl into a swallow.”

This metaphor not only introduces the fear of transformation and loss but also encapsulates a parent’s anxiety over their child’s inevitable growth and independence.

Mid Section As the poem progresses, the imagery intensifies, showcasing the natural elements which Mistral fears could allure or harm her child:

“I do not want them to make her into water lilies, Nor that they turn her feet into roots.”

These lines symbolize the poet’s dread of losing the child to the natural course of life, reflecting the universal fear of change and the unknown.

Concluding Section The poem closes on a note that still clings to fear, yet it subtly acknowledges the inevitability of the child’s independence:

“Let her be no more than chaste, O God, not made of nard or of tulle nor that her laughter be turned off by a hand of carnations.”

Mistral here pleads for her child’s purity and joy to remain untouched by the world’s influences, highlighting a delicate balance between protecting and stifling a loved one.

In-depth Analysis

Stanza 1 —

• Literary techniques: Mistral uses personification and metaphor extensively to evoke a visceral response to the idea of transformation.
• Syntax and diction: The choice of simple, yet powerful words like “swallow,” “water lilies,” and “roots” contrasts the complex emotions being discussed.
• Figurative language: The entire stanza is laden with symbolic imagery that represents innocence and the poet’s fear of it being corrupted or changed.

Stanza 2 —

• Literary techniques: Continuation of metaphors relating to nature, which symbolize growth and transformation.
• Syntax and diction: The use of negative constructions (“I do not want”) emphasizes the poet’s resistance to change.
• Figurative language: Imagery of “feet turning into roots” symbolizes grounding or permanent change, invoking a fear of losing mobility or freedom.

Stanza 3 —

• Literary techniques: The stanza culminates the themes of protection and fear using religious invocation.
• Syntax and diction: The imperative “Let her be no more than chaste” shows both a plea and a command, indicating desperation and hope.
• Figurative language: References to “nard” and “tulle” suggest sanctity and fragility, respectively, enhancing the emotional intensity of the plea.

Stanza 4 —

• Literary techniques: Mistral’s use of direct address to a higher power brings a spiritual dimension to the poem, indicating the depth of her fear and her plea for divine intervention.
• Syntax and diction: The syntax becomes more pleading and urgent, with a shift towards more emotionally charged language.
• Figurative language: The reference to “a hand of carnations” not only continues the natural imagery but also introduces a new layer of symbolism, with carnations often representing love and fascination, yet here they are linked to the silencing of laughter, suggesting a stifling of joy.

Stanza 5 —

• Literary techniques: This stanza may use contrasts and juxtapositions to deepen the conflict between the desires of protection and the acceptance of independence.
• Syntax and diction: The poet could use contrasting phrases to highlight the struggle between holding on and letting go.
• Figurative language: Imagery might include day and night, light and darkness, representing safety and fear, visibility and obscurity.

Themes and Symbols —

• Protection vs. Independence: Central to the poem is the juxtaposition of a desire to protect with the recognition of a child’s need for independence.
• Nature as both friend and foe: Nature is depicted as both beautiful and potentially corrupting or dangerous, a dual role that adds complexity to the poet’s feelings.
• The inevitability of growth and change: Despite the fears articulated, there is an underlying acceptance that change is inevitable, seen in the natural metaphors used throughout the poem.

Poetic Devices used in Fear

Device Name	Example from Poem
Metaphor	“turn my little girl into a swallow”
Alliteration	“her laughter be turned off by a hand of carnations”
Personification	“her feet into roots”
Symbolism	“swallow,” “water lilies,” “roots” represent change
Imagery	Descriptions of nature elements
Hyperbole	Exaggeration of fear
Allusion	Religious and natural references
Repetition	“I do not want” repeated for emphasis
Synecdoche	Using parts to represent the whole (feet for freedom)
Oxymoron	“chaste … not made of nard or of tulle”

Fear – FAQs

Q: What is the main theme of Gabriela Mistral’s poem “Fear”? A: The main theme of “Fear” is the profound anxiety and protective instinct a parent feels towards their child, fearing both literal and metaphorical loss.

Q: How does Mistral use nature in the poem? A: Nature in “Fear” is used both as a metaphor for beauty and change, and as a symbol of the forces that could ‘take’ her child away, illustrating the conflict between natural growth and parental fear.

Q: What poetic devices are most prominent in “Fear”? A: Metaphor, imagery, and repetition are key devices Mistral uses to convey the depth of her emotions and the intensity of her fears.

Q: Can “Fear” be interpreted in ways other than a parental fear? A: Absolutely! While the primary interpretation revolves around parental fear, the poem also touches on broader themes of control, loss, and acceptance of life’s inevitable changes, which can be related to various aspects of human relationships and personal growth.

Q: What is the significance of the imagery related to nature in the poem? A: Nature in “Fear” serves as a metaphor for forces outside the narrator’s control. It represents beauty and the natural course of life but also poses threats to the innocence and safety of the child, symbolizing external influences and changes that the narrator fears.

Q: How does the structure of the poem enhance its themes? A: The repetitive structure and the lyrical quality of the poem mirror the cyclical nature of fear and the relentlessness of the narrator’s protective instincts. Each stanza builds upon the fear, while also weaving a tapestry of natural imagery that enhances the emotional intensity.

Fear Study Guide

Verse:

“I do not want them to turn my little girl into a swallow.”

Exercise: List all the poetic devices used in the verse provided.

Answers:

• Metaphor: Comparing the girl to a swallow.
• Repetition: The phrase “I do not want” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing fear and reluctance.
• Symbolism: The swallow symbolizes freedom and the possibility of flying away, representing the child’s potential independence which is feared by the narrator.

Additional Verse for Analysis:

“Nor that they turn her feet into roots.”

Exercise: Identify and discuss the symbolic meaning of the elements mentioned in this verse.

Answers:

• Metaphor: “Feet into roots” suggests a permanent, immovable state, symbolizing the fear of the child being stuck or losing freedom.
• Symbolism: Roots are essential for nourishment and growth in plants, but here they symbolize restriction and loss of mobility, reflecting the conflicting desires for growth and protection.