Introduction
The poem “White Lies” delves into the topic of racial identity and the societal expectations associated with it. This text is filled with various images and meanings hidden behind childhood memories. The innocent little lies that the heroine tells are a serious social problem in a world where people are forced to hide their essence in order not to succumb to oppression. The poem clearly illustrates the influence of racial norms in society on people of color who strive to become part of a privileged society. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the poem and the themes introduced by the author.
Thematic Analysis of the Poem
The poem’s central theme is people hiding their identities to be accepted into society. The poem is written from the perspective of a mixed-race girl living “in a black place” (Trethewey, 2000, line 5). It raises the question of how she identifies herself. Her skin color allows her to lie about being white to gain social privileges, though she lives in a black area, which creates the dual nature of her situation.
The little lie with which the author begins the poem later acquires new aspects. A girl could strengthen her position in society by saying that she lives uptown and buys dresses at Maison Blanche without revealing her real background (Trethewey, 2000). These attributes are the personification of the collective image of white society and could significantly increase the heroine’s social status. However, these lies inevitably lead to consequences once the girl is in her area with a “shotgun section along the tracks,” similar to separation lines.
Having learned about the lie, the narrator’s mother washes her “mouth with Ivory soap” (Trethewey, 2000, lines 22-23). Soap is a strong symbol, as it emphasizes the importance of color even in everyday life. Moreover, the girl “swallowed suds thinking they’d work from the inside out” (Trethewey, 2000, lines 26-28). It describes how strongly the narrator strives for “purity,” which she associates with white skin color.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “White Lies” by Natasha Trethewey reveals the complex realities of racial identity through the guise of harmless childhood lies. This problem is so ingrained in society that even children strive to appear white to gain social privileges. It creates a gap in self-identity since the lies told do not correspond to the reality the narrator faces when returning home. Furthermore, it widens the gap between generations, where children deny their cultural heritage and parents for social approval.
Reference
Trethewey, N. (2000). White lies. Poetry Foundation. Web.