Narrator, “The Gift”
The narrator of this poem reflects upon a specific childhood experience, during which his father consoled him as he removed a splinter from his finger. The narrator draws upon this experience to comfort his wife and realizes that his father’s actions were a gift to him—a gift that has allowed him to act with gentility and kindness. He realizes that kindness and compassion are perhaps the most profound gifts humans can bestow upon one another, for these are gifts that will spill over through the generations and ultimately make the world a better place.
Narrator’s Father, “The Gift”
Though unnamed, it is clear that the narrator’s father has a deep understanding for the human condition. When his son—the narrator—gets a splinter in his finger and is terrified to have it removed, the father treats his son with kindness and compassion. To distract him from the pain, he tells his son a story and uses his voice as a distraction. In this way, during this brief exchange, the father bestowed a unique gift upon his son—the gift of compassion and gentility.
Narrator’s Wife, “The Gift”
Though she does not play a large part in this poem, the narrator’s wife is essential to its conclusion. After describing and reflecting upon a childhood experience, during which his father taught him the power of gentleness and sympathy. The narrator then continues his father’s cycle by passing this gift on to his wife, when he removes a splinter from her finger and uses his gentleness and voice to distract her. In this way, the narrator’s wife represents the continuation of this cycle.
Narrator, “Early Morning”
Interestingly, the narrator is not the primary character of this poem. Rather, he is a mere observer, sharing his insights and memories with the reader. It is likely that the narrator is an extension of Li-Young Lee, himself, and that this is a genuine memory. He uses this poem to reflect upon his parents’ authentic and loving relationship, while also forever immortalizing this memory in the form of poetry.
Narrator’s Mother, “Early Morning”
The speaker’s mother is arguably the crux of this particular poem. The narrator describes how she would boil a pot of rice each morning before combing through her long, dark hair, and tucking it into a bun. There is profound beauty in the simplicity and unchanging nature of her routine; her consistency is a welcome relief in a world that is ever-changing.
Narrator’s Father, “Early Morning”
The narrator’s father is described as being an intentional observer in this poem. He finds great peace in watching his wife’s morning routine. He observes with great interest as she brushes her hair and ties it in a bun, even though he has seen it hundreds of times before. In this way, the father’s routine relies completely on his wife’s unchanging morning ritual. The narrator’s father and mother both capture the peace that can be found in rituals and routine.
Narrator, “Eating Together”
Unlike many of Lee’s other poems, the narrator exhibits a tone of sorrow and exhaustion in his poem. He makes a point of describing this meal, for it is the first family meal that resembles a sense of normalcy and routine after the passing of his father. In this way, this poem serves as a necessary step in the grieving process for the narrator; much like this first meal, this poem is very cathartic for him and provides a sense of emotional relief.
Narrator’s Mother, “Eating Together”
Much like the narrator, himself, the narrator’s mother is clearly grieving in this poem. She is a far more sorrowful human that her portrayal in “Early Morning.” It is clear that the narrator’s mother relied heavily upon her husband and truly viewed him as a life partner. Much like her children, the mother is grieving the eternal loss of her husband. This meal is cathartic for her, too, for it represents a sign of strength in her road to emotional recovery.
Narrator’s Siblings, “Eating Together”
Very little is known about the narrator’s siblings. It is stated that the narrator has brothers and one sister. They all share a meal together and are meant to show how much the loss of their father has truly devastated this family. And yet, the narrator’s siblings are also a symbol of unity—they, along with the narrator and their mother—represent a new family dynamic, one that must function in the permanent absence of their beloved father.
