Long Analysis Literary Argument

Raquel Hudson

English 1020-LD-07

May 16, 2022

Short Paper #3

Explication of MONTANA TERRACE (progression to natural) by Kenneth Carroll

Montana terrace (progression to natural ) is a poem written by Kenneth Carroll. He is an international poet and an author of many other works. In his poem, Montana terrace, the author presents his ideas about family along with the key members and supporters of a good family. The author articulates that in his neighborhood, there were mothers whose role in society was symbolized by the mountains(Carroll). Natural mountains are elevated, and whoever climbs them will get the chance not only to reach the higher levels of the natural ground but also have the opportunity to enjoy the aerial view of the other near and far away regions. Mountains serve as a source of progress in the community, as provided in the poem. As per the question, this discussion will focus on providing an extensive analysis of the poem “Montana Terrace” on how relevant it is to a society based on its thematic insights. The paper will further analyze how the author has utilized mountains in a symbolic way to express the attitude and love mothers have towards supporting their children, husbands, and other family members.

As mentioned early, the poem Montana terrace ( progression to natural) is all about the role of mothers and their endless support to children and husbands who seek refuge in their mother's jagged hearts that allow them to step and climb to higher levels of achievement while struggling in their daily lives(Carroll). From the biblical allusion and perhaps with reference to the poem’s imagery, smiles, and metaphors used by the author, it can be argued that when people are faced with challenges, they often face and look unto the mountain, for they believe that their help will surely come from their Lord. In the same way, the author presented women as simply mothers as the source of help in the community. These are people who can elevate, hold hands and provide a place of refuge for their children and husbands whenever faced with challenges.

The poem asserts that in the neighborhood, mothers have been regarded as the central pillar of the family because of their progressive support to their loved ones without envy or a feeling of selfishness. They support children and elevate their husbands because they have a heart of care for all regardless of race and family foundation. Unlike their counterparts the author provides that meaning is weak and with selfish motives(Carroll). Their souls and hearts are filled with hatred and aspects that make it hard to support other members of society. Selfish intentions have overtaken their thinking and filled them with caps of intolerance and hatred. Their hearts have progressively grown heavy and heavy since they are only guided by their desire to bear the load of family and perhaps continue racing with the intention to make the end meet. Men are selfish, and their souls are filled with envy and hatred due to the fact that men are carrying a race on their backs. Men feel that they are walking and never fighting easy to win war. For them to reach their destination, they ought

to focus on a load of a family and be ready to walk on a steep valley road before arriving at the desired point.

As for the mothers, they have often faced a wide range of challenges but still fought a good war towards becoming better and better people in society. The poem's main message is that women can be leaders who lead by example, not only encourage others to do their best but who uplift the weak and embrace generosity in society to enable every person to see the light at the end of the tunnel(Carroll). That is why the author ends the poem by saying indeed, mothers in his neighborhood were mountains since they have been seen crumbling and become women and leaders, and that is why they should be loved.

The poem is all about women's leadership and their generosity in supporting every member of the society with a kind heart that not only provided a place for children to climb to higher levels of achievements but also supported and elevated their husbands towards becoming better people in the society.