The phrase "They have eaten me alive" is meant to be used mentophoically reguarding the sacrifice of her individuality she has made for her children. However, it is accomanied by the literal meaning of this term with the depiction of her nursing her child.

This reveals that the fact the woman now has a domesticated life with children was unlike her previous charecter -or that known to the man. This conveys that way her life has gone was unexpected.

Both of these verbs used are onomatopoeias. This rhetoric use of language conveys a vivid scene of the rain falling against the glass as well as eerie actions carried out by the ghosts.

Henry James was the authour of novels such as The Portrait of a Lady, and Daisy Miller. Many of his works focused on the clash between New World (American) values and those of the Old Word (Europe). You can directly corrolate this theme of Henry James to the overall idealism of the poem. The young girls are the alluring American women while the old women are that of Europe. Both the poem and the works of Henry James depict a clash of vastly different cultures.

Example of assonence in the first line between "parade" and "birgade".

This is an interesting simile. The daughter is not consciously waving goodbye. The narrator associates the movement of her hair as her goodbye, as someone would wave a handkerchief, which seems like a very formal action. However, the daughter never actually give an intentional farewell.

This is a contradiction in itself. Most associate screaming with a negative feeling. However, laughing is very much a positive experience.

There is a connection to this line with the idea of death and new life. With every death (drop of blood) there is rebirth (parrot imitating spring).

It is interesting that the narrator chose the verb "haunt". Although the denotation is to be persistently present, it does have a ghost-like connotation.

The personification of the snow is quite beautiful here. There is almost a romantic relationship between the snow and the narrator. The narrator focuses on the small details of the snows nature. The snow in turn is reciprocating the admiration with offering it's cool cheek. Could the snow symbolize a loved one?

It is interesting that the narrator chose to refer to the mosquito as "she" instead of "it". He continues to reference the mosquito as if it was a person, inferring that she has needs just as he would.

I feel as if the repetition of this sentence connects to the lack of change in the father and daughter's relationship. It was always guaranteed that the father would turn around and see his daughter. Now that she is no longer there, the father must look twice, almost disbelieving that she was not there the first time.

This reminds me of a child's constant desire to grow up quickly. With every second he is aware of his aging. He sees this as a exciting thing as he yearns to be older as every child or adolescent does.

Her embarrassment does not cease outside of her home. The fact that she does not speak fluent English follows her where ever she goes and ultimately controls her life. There is not "safe space" or understanding person for Elena.

With the last years of your life you are expected to fill your time with the things you love. Things such as hobbies are supposed to replace your occupation after retirement. However, the disease effects the man in a way where he can no longer enjoy the things he loves, like music. Now his life is consumed by Alzheimer's. He now spends his days dealing with more urgent things, such as the effects of the disease on his mind.