Family Reunion Poem Analysis

The poem “Family Reunion” by Jeredith Merrin begins by describing a family rattled with the effects of divorce. The writing continues to discuss separation between other aspects of life. This poem depicts how society has grown accustomed to a world where everyone is disconnected from their history, family, and surroundings. The speaker starts the poem at a family gathering of sorts where she explains, “Everyone cordial:/the ex-husband’s second wife/ friendly to the first wife, warm/to the divorcing daughter’s child’s/ great grandmother, who was herself/long ago divorced” (6-11). Divorce has created havoc among this family, however; everyone seems to accept it and continues to get along. The speaker states, “Everyone/grown used to the idea …show more content…
The landscape she is referring to is the traditional father, mother, and children all living in one home as a family unit. Unfortunately, most of today’s youth does not know what this looks or feels like to have their family together under one roof. These days, it is not unusual to see grandparent’s raising grandchildren because the parents are unfit or have abandoned their children completely. According to the author, the family unit is broken even more when, “toddlers in day care are parted/ from working parents” (17-18) due to both parents needing the income to maintain separate households. It is nearly impossible to be a single parent and work a full time job. Parents must enlist the help of baby-sitters and daycare centers. Children often suffer because quality time with their parents is often lost due to the busy work schedules. Although it is more frequent in divorced parents, the economy of today also takes a toll on the families who have not separated, and in order to keep the family together both parents must work. It is rare to see a stay-at-home parent in today’s society. Divorce and economic hardship has lead people to disassociate with their family and slowly grow