This poem by Diane Glancy expresses her Native American heritage, with her father, a Cherokee man, serving as the poem's central figure. She illustrates the tension between his Native American identity and the western society he inhabits. The author suggests that although he lives in a state of disconnection from his traditional practices and is employed packing meat, he still identifies as Cherokee.
The author's sentiments towards her father appear to encompass love, respect, and sorrow. The poem evokes a sense of nostalgia, highlighting a feeling of alienation in this world.
The clash between her parents aligns with the overarching theme of the poem. Her father brings home hides and horns from work (symbolizing his heritage), which her (western) mother dismisses. The author takes on the role of an observer throughout the poem.
The hides and horns hold significance, as many Native Americans relied on the wealth provided by bison hides, meat, and all associated products, which is a recurring motif in the poem.
Answer:
Naturalism is the style both answers represent.
