Audre Lorde’s “Hanging Fire” provides specific insight into the mind of a typical, insecure 14 year old girl. Lorde depicts the main character as a girl that is in a state of constant worry and isolation because of an extreme anxiety that lies within her. The author allows us to see the protagonist's isolation through the repetition of the phrase, “...and momma’s in the bedroom/ with the door closed” (22-23), implying that the author has no outlet for the frustrations and concerns that are constantly looming over her. Lorde also shows the main character’s worries by covering a broad range of topics that the girl stresses over, such as her appearance (her braces, acne, etc.), going to parties, and dying before her graduation. While reading this