Summary of "Where I Come From" by Elizabeth Brewster

Context and Background:

• The poem "Where I Come From" is by Canadian poet Elizabeth Brewster, featured in her 1977 collection "Sometimes I Think of Moving."
• Brewster originated from an impoverished background in Chipman, New Brunswick, Canada, a small logging community.
• Her work is known for exploring themes of place, memory, emotion, and self-identity.

Themes:

• The poem explores the impact of location on personal identity. Brewster posits that the places where individuals grow up ingrains deeply into their psyche and forms a core part of their identity.
• Contrasts between urban and rural settings are a primary focus, examining their influence on individuals' lives and characters.

Structure and Style:

• The poem is composed of three stanzas written in free verse, lacking a fixed metrical structure or rhyme scheme.
• Brewster employs extensive use of enjambment and caesura, creating a rhythm that mirrors the natural and fluid thought process.
• The poem’s imagery is conveyed through layered, cumulative descriptions.

Imagery and Symbolism:

• Urban Imagery: The city is depicted through senses such as smell, highlighting smog, work environments, and crowded subways, suggesting monotony and artificiality.
• Rural Imagery: Nature is represented by vast pinewoods, blueberry patches, and simple life moments, indicating authenticity and a deeper connection with nature.

Contrast and Juxtaposition:

• Brewster uses contrasting lists to juxtapose the city’s oppressive sensory experiences with the expansive and free rural imagery.
• City life is portrayed as chaotic and disconnected, while rural life symbolizes permanence and personal depth.

Diction and Tone:

• Brewster is noted for her clear, direct language, often described as plain but effective in conveying her message.
• The poem's tone shifts from a slight disdain toward urban life to a deep reverence and contemplation of rural life experiences.

Imagery Usage:

• Vivid imagery and metaphors, such as "people are made of places," illustrate the deep connection between individuals and their environments.
• Metaphorical language reinforces how geographical influences define a person's essence.

Conclusion:

• "Where I Come From" illuminates place as a profound influence on identity, shaping not only physical but mental and emotional traits.
• By contrasting urban and rural environments, Brewster emphasizes the imprints these places leave on one's identity.

Note: The summary includes details on the shifts in emphasis and structure and their influence on the overall message of the poem.