Surely, many people have experienced the feeling of not being truly seen, where their roots, culture, and history hold no value to anyone but themselves. This feeling is depicted in Lie-Young Lee’s poem “Persimmons,” which explores the speaker’s upbringing in a bilingual and bicultural environment. In our lives, we may be forgotten by those we encounter daily or have brief relationships with, like classmates and professors for just one semester. Nevertheless, through vibrant imagery, symbolism, and various literary techniques employed in the poem, these profound emotions that are hard to articulate are expressed.
The poem emphasizes that one day we will disappear from others and the world. However, it also reveals that the true beauty lies in the experiences we have and until the end, we possess the precious and unique “sun inside [each of us]… Golden [and] warm.” Lie-Young Lee uses imagery and symbolism to highlight the transformation from the challenges of a young Chinese-American boy’s social status to the intense emotions of a young man.
“Persimmons” conveys the message that our life experiences, similar to the speaker’s father losing his sight, are significant and everlasting, even if not everyone appreciates or comprehends them fully. Although initially appearing disjointed, the poem’s memories ultimately connect in various ways. The symbol of persimmons serves as a prominent motif throughout the recollections.
The mom recalls an unpleasant memory from the speaker’s sixth grade classroom. The speaker remembers being slapped on the head and told to “stand in the corner for not knowing the difference/between [the words] persimmon and precision”(3-5). The speaker is confused at this moment. In the first stanza, we find out that Mrs. Walker was the speaker’s sixth-grade teacher: In sixth grade Mrs. Walker slapped the back of my head and made me stand in the corner for not knowing the difference between persimmon and precision. How to choose persimmons. This is precision. (1-6) To Mrs…
Walker, the main idea is simple: the young boy, who speaks Chinese, struggles to understand and learn English. From Mrs. Walker’s perspective, it is clear that he confuses words that seem unrelated but have similar sounds. However, in the boy’s mind, these words are connected in a way that Mrs. Walker cannot fully comprehend without further exploration. One specific literary technique that Lee employs is enjambment, used at the word “choose,” which interrupts the first stanza and highlights the act of selecting and decision-making.
The speaker’s lack of agency as a child and student in the process and codes of classroom assimilation is evident in the first stanza. However, they regain power through connecting words with similar sounds and symbolic association, as seen in their conflating of “persimmon and precision” (line 5). The speaker justifies this linguistic fusion by proclaiming it as a demonstration of precision (line 6-7). Additionally, they assert control by showcasing their mastery of English through examples like “fight and fright, wren and yarn” (line 31).
In the second stanza, Lee further explains the proper technique for selecting and consuming a persimmon. The speaker acknowledges their knowledge of the distinction between the new words. They understand the meticulous language Lee utilizes to describe the process of choosing and enjoying a persimmon. By using words like “soft,” “sweet,” “sniff,” and “brown-spotted,” Lee brings depth and symbolism to the fruit. These descriptions go beyond the mere physical nature of the Chinese fruit. In contrast, Mrs..’s character…
Walker belongs to the group of “teachers” that one encounters in life, which can include school teachers, college peers, onlookers, or society itself. However, these “teachers” not only assess one’s character but also lack knowledge. In specific terms, individuals may be perceived as sheep when they themselves are confined and unable to explore, comprehend, or experience more. They disregard delving into the deep and mysterious depths of people, oneself, and emotions, specifically the thoughts of this boy. The teacher remains unaware of the multitude of worlds present within the boy’s mind, including various emotions and his rich culture.
The boy is perceived to have a problem, one that involves difficulty with words. However, these words stand out for him due to the assimilations they induce: soft and brown-spotted ripe ones, fragrant sweet ones. To eat, the knife is set aside, the newspaper is laid down. The skin is peeled gently to avoid tearing the meat. The skin is chewed, sucked, and swallowed. Then, the sweet fruit meat is eaten entirely, down to the heart. Mrs. Walker and anyone belonging to this pragmatic world, can they even fathom the world within him?
According to the speaker, a persimmon represents precision. This is because one must possess the ability to perceive a precise persimmon, and the persimmon itself embodies precision through its existence. The fruit, with its soft texture, shape, and scent when ripe, is considered an art. Not everyone has the talent to identify a perfect persimmon or possess the proper knowledge of how to eat one. Mrs. Walker incorrectly prepares the persimmons for the class by using a knife to “cut it up,” which goes against the speaker’s Chinese culture. This act reveals her disregard for the speaker’s cultural practices. The poem takes a dramatic turn in the third stanza, where the speaker fast forwards through time.
Here, the speaker recounts a passionate encounter with their lover. Lee employs symbolism and contrasting word choice in a deliberate manner to emphasize the significance of the specific time and place mentioned. During this intense moment, the speaker realizes that they have forgotten their Chinese language. This could symbolize the fading of past struggles and assimilation, particularly in triumphing over the English language. However, alongside societal acceptance as an Asian American, there is also a significant loss that outweighs the gains: the loss of their native language and culture.
Regarding the second interpretation, it suggests that the speaker temporarily forgets about their nakedness and the “Dew.” However, they remember the presence of the “Crickets: Chic Chic” and the meaning of “Nit wow” as a representation of unity between the speaker and the person they are addressing. In this moment, the speaker feels completely absorbed, especially when two lovers come together, forming a bond that makes them forget about their nakedness. This is because in that beautiful moment, the notion of being naked doesn’t matter since their significant other is present. The presence of their significant other is enough for them to feel covered and protected. It is a moment where all inhibitions are disregarded, and both individuals feel at ease with their vulnerability. Even the background sound becomes negligible as the speaker gets engrossed in this moment.
Through the use of symbolism, “Persimmon” serves as the main symbol and acts as a metaphor for the love scene, emphasizing the intense experience that profoundly impacts the speaker. In the ninth stanza, a new scene emerges, accompanied by a shift in time. Now a mature adult, the speaker visits their parents while also revisiting past memories that evoke deep-seated emotions.
In this specific stanza, Lee uses vivid imagery to describe the speaker’s elderly father who has become blind. The speaker rummages through belongings, searching for something that was lost. Eventually, they find a box containing three paintings by the father. One painting depicts a hibiscus leaf and a white flower, while another shows two cats preening. The third painting features two persimmons that are so full they seem as though they could fall from the cloth they are placed on. The speaker wonders which painting this is and reflects on the tactile experience of feeling a wolf’s tail on silk, appreciating its strength and the precise movements of the artist’s wrist. Throughout this stanza, the idea of blindness is prominent in the images created by the father’s paintings.
The use of concrete details in Lee’s poem (62-88) has a significant impact by drawing the reader in and enhancing their understanding of the emotions being conveyed. The scent and texture of a loved one’s hair, the ripe weight of a persimmon in the palm – these sensory details allow the reader to engage more deeply. The sight of the Hibiscus and the movements of cats preening (75) further contribute to this immersive experience. Despite the speaker’s father being blind, he can still perceive the world around him.
When someone loses their sight, they become excluded from the world. However, what remains with them goes beyond mere vision. The father talks about a restroom that will never leave a person, implying that its smell, texture, and weight are everlasting. Similarly, the feeling of a ripe persimmon in one’s hand becomes a permanent part of their being. Just like the speaker’s culture, memories, and experiences, these sensations stay ingrained in their identity. This shift in tone could also symbolize the speaker’s acceptance of their culture and their ability to fondly reminisce about familiar emotions, like being back home. Despite not all of their experiences being positive, they have contributed to the speaker’s personal growth. Through employing vivid sensory imagery and carefully chosen words, Li-Young Lee conveys to the reader that, despite having a bi-cultural background, the speaker has realized the importance of intangible things that may not always be visible. As a result, they have found peace with their own culture.
The poem by Lee captures the hidden and rejected elements of our consumerist society. Surprisingly, when something extraordinary is described in language, its enchanting allure might diminish. This poem goes beyond being a standalone work of verse; it serves as an artistic conduit that enables us to comprehend and encounter the inner realm of both the poet and ourselves.
Lie-Young Lee uses poetry to evoke emotions that are difficult to express through words alone. He employs an informal poetic style, symbolism, and imagery to help us imagine intricate and vivid scenes. In his poems, he reveals how the outside world often overlooks the deep intensity and passion that lies within every individual.
