To My Mother

Poe explores the meaning of motherhood by exploring the sound of the word “mother.” The first lines of the poem suggest that the word was chosen for mothers especially because of its loveliness. The idea of angels selecting this word, “whispering” (Line 2) in secrecy in the heavens above all of humanity, suggests how special “mother” is to the speaker. Motherhood is associated with angelic guardianship of children; mothers raise and protect their children while also providing them with the skills needed to live independent lives. The speaker is grateful to his mother-in-law because she cared for him in a motherly way and because she gifted him with his wife whom he loved dearly.

Poe also contrasts his relationships with his mother-in-law and biological mother, who passed away when he was almost three years old. Poe’s use of dashes in Lines 5-6 (“by that dear name I long have called you— / You who are more than mother unto me”) suggests that motherhood also applies to those who provide shelter, love, and care and who are present in a child's life. The dashes highlight that the speaker is addressing a single individual, rather than all mothers. Though the speaker’s dismissal of his biological mother can be interpreted as harsh or cruel, the speaker’s wish is to clarify that being a mother is much more meaningful than what one might understand.