Analysis of Poems By Rita Dove

For Sophie, Who’ll Be in First Grade in the Year 2000

No bright toy
this world we’ve left you.
Even the wrapping
is torn, the ribbons
grease-flecked and askew.
Still, it’s all we have.

Wait a moment before
you pick it up. Study
its scratches, how it
shines in places. Now
love what you touch,
and you will touch wisely.

 May the world, in your hands
brighten with use. May you
sleep in sweet breath and
rise always in wonder
to mountain and forest,
green gaze and silk cheek-

 dear Sophie,
littlest phoenix.

“For Sophie, Who’ll Be in First Grade in the Year 2000” by Rita Dove, gives advice to this child about the world that is in front of her. She warns the child that the world is not always glorious, and to not expect life to be perfect in every way. She advises Sophie to “wait a moment before you pick it up.” This line means Sophie should stop and consider the choices that she will make, notice what is good and what is bad. Dove suggests that the more that we can love what we come across in life, the better our life and choices will be. The poem ends with two wishes that are written like prayers. Dove hopes for Sophie that she will improve the world. “May the world, in your hands brighten with us.” She wishes for Sophie to see the good things in life and appreciate them. This poem is not only giving advice to Sophie, but to all of the readers. It encourages the reader to be filled with the wonders of the world even though it will never be perfect.

The First Book

Open it.

Go ahead, it won’t bite.
Well…maybe a little. 

More a nip, like. A tingle.
It’s pleasurable, really. 

You see, it keeps on opening.
You may fall in. 

Sure, its hard to get started;
Remember learning to use

 Knife and fork? Dig in:
You’ll never reach bottom 

It’s not like it’s the end of the world-
just the world as you think 

you know it.

“The First Book”, by Rita Dove, is a poem that shows one aspect of her life as a child and points to the things that she will explore as she gets older. She is literally describing a book, but figuratively is referring to new experiences in life. The poem shows the love and passion that Dove already knows, but also the fear of stepping out of her comfort zone from life as she knows it.  She is experiencing reading as something new that isn't what she is used to, but the unknown may not be as horrifying as she had expected.  At poem’s the end, she says, "It’s not like it's the end of the world-just the world as you think you know it".  This statement means that accomplishing a new experience is frightening and exciting, simultaneously, but in life we must take chances to grasp all that it contains. Dove is suggesting that it might be worth it to take a risk, to try new things, even if it seems that they will hurt because they might be worth it.  “…it won’t bite./…More a nip, like. A tingle./ It’s pleasurable, really.”