Lucille Clifton’s “Forgiving my Father” is a poem about a girl who is struggling to resolve her feelings from her child hood. This poem does a good job of informing the reader as to what financial instability, and constant bickering can do to a family. Under these circumstances, the financial instability can add to the amount of arguing currently going on. When a child is exposed to such an environment they are less likely to have a sense of family, and are also likely to replicate this in their own families. These ideas were derived from a constant reference to money that presents itself throughout the poem. In addition, there is a focus on family dynamic. The relationship between the mother and the daughter is shared, and the relation between father and daughter. There is also reference to the mother father dynamic which is most important with regards to a family. Mrs. Clifton has been able to address common issues within everyday family’s, and has given light to the affects they can have on people. 

     In the poem there are continuous references to money. These references are used in order to make the reader understand how money can determine how people interact with one another. For example, Mrs. Clifton opens up the poem with “it is friday, we have come to the paying of the bills.” (Lines 1 and 2). Starting a poem in this manner makes the reader believe that Friday’s are constantly taxing on the family. Friday is the end of the work week, and there is no money for them to pay their bills with. This is when arguments intensify, and what may have been an already rocky relationship turns into distrust and questioning. When the provider is not doing his duty by bringing home a paycheck the stress amplifies exponentially. In addition to this, it can be seen that Friday’s are known to be days in which the parental figures argue over their situation. In a perfect world, this is a day that families are able to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and discuss how everyone’s week was. However, it is clear that in this family, the child is forced to listen to the hatred project from one parent to another. Not only does it add stress, but financial instability also places a child in situation in which he or she is forced to pick a side instead of appreciate and love both parents. This is no place for a child; there is no reason to be entangled in arguments about money. There is also no reason for a child to choose one side or the other. However, the narrator is unfortunately placed in this situation. Throughout much of the poem the daughter is mostly on the mother’s side. For example, she goes on to say “there will never be time enough daddy daddy old lecher old liar. i wish you were rich so I could take it all and give the lady what she was due” (Lines 7, 8, 9, and 10). The father is clearly not very trust worthy evidenced by her calling him a liar. Financial instability has put on real strain on this family in all aspects. The father has abandoned his duties of being a provider, a strong father, and a good husband. The mother has abandoned her responsibility of being a supportive wife, and a good example to her daughter. The daughter has been forced to witness this downfall, and has been unfairly forced to choose sides in these constant arguments. This family is clearly lacking love, respect, and support. A lack of funds has pushed everyone apart instead of bring everyone closer. 

Family is the most important thing in a person’s life. A supportive family keeps a person grounded, shows them love, and supports them when they are older. In regards to poem, the woman clearly does not have this. In situations similar to this the kids go own to forget their families, and on the flip side are likely to replicate the behaviors of their parents. The narrator gives the reader an indication that she is beginning to move on and forget her parents when she says “you were each other’s bad bargain, not mine” (Lines 19). In this line of the poem she has separated herself from her parents by making clear this was their poor decision making. By doing this she has given up on her family as a source of support, and love. She will unfortunately have to find this elsewhere. When one resorts to something other than family, they become desperate to fit in. In doing so it is easier to make bad decisions because there is no one there to correct that person, and no one else to give that person what they are seeking. In addition to this, people who come from a flawed family are more likely to replicate this in their future families. For example, the daughter says this about her father “you were the only son of a needy father, the father of a needy son:” (Lines 12 and 13). Within the poem there is an example of a person replicating the actions of their parents. The narrator’s father who is a liar, and fails to support the family financially as well as emotionally came from a family with a similar paternal figure. Unfortunately most go on to replicate the negative behaviors of their parents instead of avoiding those mistakes. It is also unfortunate that the children that come from flawed homes lack a sense of support and love once they have grown up. 

Mrs. Clifton has brought attention to the many people who experience financial instability, and the strain it puts on a family. In addition, she has also brought attention to the children who come from homes that lack love, and support. It is unfortunate, but these situations impact the children in a negative way. Children placed in these precarious situations will be more likely to find love, and support elsewhere. In addition, the sad reality is that more often than not children replicate the negative behaviors of their parents. These circumstances can affect generations of people until someone is willing to learn from what they have experienced. More must be don’t to help those in negative environments.      
