Answer to Question #248796 in English for Constance Dineo Ma

Question

MOTHER TO SON -This poem contains words that are not grammatically correct or are informal. Explain why this type of language is acceptable in certain poems and stories but not in formal language. How does the poem benefit from the use of such language? 

Answer 1

Grammatically incorrect and informal language is acceptable in certain poems and stories but not in formal language. This is because it helps one to express their identity and creates a more intimate and personal tone of the speaker. Informal language in poetry and story writing also plays an emotive role as it helps to express and elicit emotions such as anger and humor in its speaker and audience, a role formal language is incapable of.

The poem "Mother and Son" benefits from the use of grammatically incorrect and informal language in various ways. It symbolizes the speaker's personal tone of the struggle spoken about. It also creates an image and identity of the mother and her setting for the reader: a middle aged Black American woman with Southern dialect, undergoing racial struggles and has valuable advice to share with her son based on her life experiences.