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Summary Of Hanging Fire By Audre Lorde

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Audre Lorde’s poem “Hanging Fire” is about a young girl who is coming into her teenage years and seems confused about certain events in her life, but a much closer reading of the poem uncovers a deeper meaning. This meaning is not so much about confusion in the young woman’s life, but instead about a girl who is entering her adolescent years and constantly complaining why people are not there to guide or give her the respect she deserves, especially her own mom. The young girl is going through physical and mental changes in her life and this is causing her to be so emotional and distraught that she does not know who to turn to or where to turn for guidance, suggestions or support. She wants to turn to her mother, but for whatever reason, she can’t because her mother is always avoiding her, therefore, the girl is having to grow up on her own or turn to people she thinks are her friends for the support she needs. When this adolescent girl says, “I am fourteen/and my skin has betrayed me” (1-2) she is referring to the fact she is a black girl, and simply because of her skin color, she feels like she should be able to do more …show more content…
When she is talking about this she is reflecting upon herself and wondering why she has to be the one who looks different compared to the rest of the students. This would cause her to feel like an outcast by her fellow students, teachers, counselors, parents, etc. The final thing this girl is concerned about is “will I live long enough/to grow up” (32-33). She is wondering with everything that she is going through and struggling with, whether or not she will survive. If she only had the proper guidance and direction as she approaches the most pivotal years of her life, she would not be having these grievances or issues, but instead would be able to handle the challenges she faces not only as a teenager but also when she becomes an

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