Response to Dove Poem

Upon reviewing Rite Dove's poem I found the stanza spacing at the end of the poem particularly interesting. The last two stanzas both take place in Dove's home but each expresses the pressures her father places on her differently. The second to last stanza aptly describes the imposing nature of her father and his desire for her to learn math through the flashcards. His laid back but firm attitude sharply contrasts the image of Dove after she retreats to her room. A bedroom is usually seen as a place of rest and reprieve. Instead for Dove it is a place of conflicting hopes; that of pleasing her father and that of pursuing what she wants. Dove tries to find peace in sleeping but instead finds herself anxious over the route memorization her father asks of her versus the beautiful simplicity of the images she wishes to express. Dove's choice of ending the second to last stanza and starting the last one as she does helps to emphasize this conflict.