Apron by Leona Gom: The Idea of Circumstantial Constraints

Introduction

Circumstantial constraints serve as a limitation and show up in our life from time to time when we have the urge to do what we desire. Circumstance is an external force that is difficult to avoid; it needs to be resolved by a type of action or decision that is made. Sometimes, they act as an influential factor that prevents us from making our own decisions. We break off these restraints when they become a liability towards our future and pose as a boundary that limits our freedom of deciding things. However, these circumstances and constraints can be seen as a reliable tool that controls and reigns one in when an individual becomes too greedy with their personal desires and needs. Yet, they still serve as a hindrance to the growth of our values and ideals when taking a course of action.

Analysis of "Apron" by Leona Gom

The poem, "Apron," by Leona Gom, demonstrates how we, as females, have reconstructed the idea of constraints and used them to our advantage. Gom shows how societal expectations can be a major influence that we use to create change and lay down the foundation of our own principles, morals, values, and ideals. Attempts to live without the constraint of circumstances can be turned into an advantage that helps free us from certain expectations and allows us to make our own life decisions. Leona Gom’s poem, "Aprons," illustrates how attempting to live without the constraint of circumstances is possible, becoming an advantage that allows us, as females, to remove societal expectations and be free to make our own decisions and grow our values and principles (Gom, 1986).

In "Aprons," it addresses gender inequality and how women were deemed inferior compared to men and were forced into specific norms. Women were forced into these expectations to the extent where they believed it is who they are as a person. For instance, “some of us wait too long, will say we feel undressed without our aprons, soldiers who wear their uniforms on the streets, never want to go back to the civvies” (Gom, 1986, p. 12). But there is a sense of pride in their duty as women, as stated, “we are patriots, will see the last child evacuated safely to adolescence” (Gom, 1986, p. 13).

However, Leona Gom uses the line “we are not innocents, have experience at the front. We have learned the tricks, what happens when someone gives us a recipe with an ingredient missing, how when the boss hands us leftovers we can make casseroles, how to get out stains before they set into our personalities” (Gom, 1986, p. 14). This is an ironic statement that uses ‘womanly chores’ to make a statement on how women were able to turn the constraints of their circumstances, the societal expectations, into a positive aspect that helped develop their own ability to make life decisions and grow their values and strength in contrast to the situation.

“We have taken off our aprons but our hands are full of memories. Sometimes they twist on our laps, it is dangerous to ignore such need. They will close around whatever you put into them. Be careful what you give us” (Gom, 1986, p. 15). The diction in this statement is a warning towards individuals who look down on women, in which she states how any situation or circumstance a person may hand down to us, is an advantageous tool for us to use. The poem highlights the resilience and resourcefulness that women have cultivated in response to societal constraints, which have paradoxically empowered them to forge their own paths.

Personal Reflection

I, myself, have faced constraints of my circumstances when it came to my family and financial restrictions. I was able to turn the situation into a motivational factor for me to grow in ideals and values while also being able to make life decisions for myself. My parents have never pressured me into focusing on my academics to achieve a certain grade or average in any of my classes. If I insisted or begged for wanting a product of any kind, they would purchase it for me simply because I am the youngest child.

However, due to my family’s restrictions and limitations on money spending, I control the number of requests I have for them, whether it be for an academic reason or a selfish reason. This allowed me to turn my circumstance into a lesson to develop the traits of being appreciative, responsible, and valuing money. Yet, money restrictions prevent me from wanting to be a little bit more selfish and be more lenient with my parents so I focus on studying, because my parents expect me to, more than going out to have fun whether it be with my family members or friends. Therefore, instead of focusing on the negative aspects, I use this circumstance as motivation to make my own decisions to go out with my friends and save my own money whenever I want to use it for something.

Conclusion

So, I develop the ability to convert my situation into an advantage for myself to grow in ideals and principles while being able to make my own decisions. When constraints of circumstances are a limitation and show up in our life, it is often when we have the urge to do what we want. Circumstance is a complex problem that needs to be solved by a type of action or decision that is made by ourselves. Sometimes, they are an influential factor when we decide for ourselves. We remove these restraints when they act as a handicap towards ourselves and pose as a restriction that prevents our freedom. But, the constraints can be reliable in a sense that they control and limit an individual when they become too greedy with their personal dreams. As Leona Gom's "Apron" illustrates, overcoming these constraints can transform them into stepping stones for personal growth and empowerment.

References

Gom, L. (1986). Apron. In Poems (pp. 12-15). Publisher Name.