I am the pillars of the house;
The keystone of the arch am I.
Take me away, and roof and wall
Would fall to ruin me utterly.
I am the fire upon the hearth,
I am the light of the good sun,
I am the heat that warms the earth,
Which else were colder than a stone.
At me the children warm their hands;
I am their light of love alive.
Without me cold the hearthstone stands,
Nor could the precious children thrive.
I am the twist that holds together
The children in its sacred ring,
Their knot of love, from whose close tether
No lost child goes a-wandering.
I am the house from floor to roof,
I deck the walls, the board I spread;
I spin the curtains, warp and woof,
And shake the down to be their bed.
I am their wall against all danger,
Their door against the wind and snow,
Thou whom a woman laid in a manger,
Take me not till the children grow!
Poet
Katharine Tynan (1859-1931) is an Irish-born writer known mainly for her novels and poetry. She has to her credit more than a score of novels and seven books of verse. She usually wrote under the name Katharine Tynan Hinkson. Her human sympathy is keen, tender, warm, and constant. The poem “Any Woman” presents the all – embracing power of a woman to hold a family together.
Textual Questions
1. What does ‘pillars of the house’ symbolize?
The phrase “pillars of the house” represents strength, support, and stability. Just as physical pillars hold up a building, the person described in the poem—likely the mother—holds up the family. She ensures that the family remains strong, united, and secure. Without her, the family structure would collapse, just as a house would crumble without its supporting beams. This comparison suggests that a mother plays an essential role, not just physically but emotionally. She is the one who provides guidance, love, and protection, ensuring that her children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Her presence keeps the household running smoothly, much like how a well-built structure depends on strong pillars.
2. How does the poet show a mother’s love for her children?
The poet beautifully illustrates the deep connection between a mother and her children through various metaphors.
- Fire upon the hearth: A mother provides warmth and comfort, much like fire does on a cold day. She is the source of heat that brings life and love to the home.
- The light of the good sun: Just as sunlight brightens the world, a mother’s love illuminates the lives of her children, guiding them through difficult times.
- The twist that holds the children together: This shows that the mother keeps the family united, ensuring that love and care bind them together.
- Their wall against danger: She protects her children from harm, ensuring they feel secure and safe.
Throughout the poem, the poet emphasizes that a mother’s love is unconditional and selfless. Her children depend on her entirely, and she sacrifices her own comfort to ensure their happiness.
3. What does ‘from floor to roof’ imply? Can you suggest a similar phrase?
The phrase “from floor to roof” signifies that the mother takes care of every single aspect of the household. She is involved in everything—cleaning, organizing, decorating, and making sure the home feels warm and inviting. A similar phrase could be “from foundation to ceiling,” which conveys the same idea—that she is responsible for building and maintaining every part of the home. This metaphor emphasizes the extent of a mother’s work, showing that she does not limit herself to just one role. Instead, she plays multiple roles, ensuring the family thrives emotionally, physically, and socially.
4. What do ‘wind and snow’ symbolize in the poem?
The words “wind and snow” symbolize difficulties, hardships, and struggles. In life, people face uncertainty, challenges, and dangers, much like bad weather. The mother, in this poem, serves as a protector, shielding her children from these challenges.
- Wind represents external challenges—society’s pressures, financial difficulties, or hardships that can disrupt the family’s peace.
- Snow represents coldness, loneliness, and suffering. Without warmth and care, a family can drift apart or struggle to survive.
By being the wall against wind and snow, the mother ensures that her children are safe and protected from suffering. The imagery highlights her role as a guardian, who stands strong even during adversity.
5. What does the last line of the poem mean?
The final plea, “Take me not till the children grow,” is deeply emotional. It reflects a mother’s fear of leaving her children too soon and her wish to stay alive long enough to ensure their security. She does not think about herself—her priority is her children’s well-being. She wants to ensure they grow into responsible, independent individuals before she departs from their lives. This line also reflects the self-sacrificial nature of motherhood. Many mothers dedicate their lives to their children, often ignoring their own needs. The poet captures this unwavering devotion, reminding readers of the profound love a mother has for her family.
Discussion Questions
6. How does the poem portray a woman as the central figure in the family?
The poem presents a woman—particularly a mother—as the pillar, the warmth, and the protective force of the household. She is not just a provider, but the very foundation on which the home is built. Throughout the poem, the mother is compared to essential elements of a home:
- The pillar: She supports the family and keeps them strong.
- The fire: She provides emotional warmth and love.
- The wall: She protects the children from external hardships.
- The roof: She ensures safety and stability.
The poet emphasizes that without a mother, the home would feel empty and lifeless—her presence is what holds everything together.
7. What qualities does a woman need to face life’s challenges?
A woman must possess several qualities to handle life’s struggles effectively:
- Strength and resilience: She must remain strong, even when facing personal challenges.
- Patience and understanding: She guides her children, listens to their concerns, and teaches them life lessons.
- Love and compassion: These qualities create a warm and happy home.
- Confidence and independence: She must believe in herself, take decisions wisely, and ensure the security of her family.
- Adaptability and intelligence: Life is full of unexpected events—she must be quick-thinking and resourceful to deal with them.
These qualities enable a woman to protect her family, guide her children, and overcome obstacles while maintaining a stable household.
Additional Analytical Questions
8. How does the poem reflect the struggles of women in Indian society?
In India, women—especially mothers—often bear a huge responsibility in the household. Many women dedicate their lives to caring for their families, but their efforts are often taken for granted. The poem highlights this invisible labor—the countless sacrifices a mother makes to ensure her children’s happiness. It also encourages recognition and respect for women’s roles, reminding society that a mother’s contributions should never be ignored or undervalued.
9. Identify a major figure of speech in the poem and explain its significance.
The most prominent figure of speech in the poem is metaphor.
- The poet compares the mother to pillars, walls, fire, and light—these metaphors highlight her strength, warmth, and protective nature.
- By using these comparisons, the poet emphasizes the irreplaceable role a mother plays in the household.
The metaphors make the emotions stronger, allowing readers to deeply connect with the message.
10. What is the amount of work done by a woman in a household? Can it be reduced?
A woman’s household responsibilities include cooking, cleaning, caring for children, supporting elders, managing expenses, and much more. To reduce this burden, family members should share responsibilities. Husbands, children, and relatives can help with household chores, making life easier for women. Modern gadgets, technology, and community support can also lessen the workload and ensure more time for relaxation. Recognizing a woman’s efforts and contributions is essential in creating a fair and balanced family structure.
Appreciation
Katherine Tynan’s poem “Any Woman” is a heartfelt tribute to motherhood and the indispensable role of a woman in the family. The poet beautifully captures the essence of a mother’s love, sacrifice, and responsibility, portraying her as the foundation of the household and the binding force that keeps the family together.
Theme and Meaning: The poem emphasizes that a mother is the pillar of the home, much like an architect who ensures the house stands strong. She supports, nurtures, and protects her children, creating an environment of warmth and security. Tynan likens a mother to fire upon the hearth—a source of comfort and light—and describes her as the knot of love, binding her children in an unbreakable connection. The poet highlights the selflessness of a mother, portraying her continuous efforts to provide for her family while expecting nothing in return. The concluding lines of the poem, where she pleads with God not to take her until her children grow, express her deep commitment and devotion to her children’s well-being.
Imagery and Literary Devices: Tynan uses powerful metaphors and vivid imagery to convey the mother’s role in the family. Comparing her to a pillar, fire, warmth, walls, and a door, she shows how a mother is both a protector and a source of love. The poem also uses symbolism, where “wind and snow” represent life’s hardships that a mother shields her children from. Through simple yet profound expressions, the poet conveys the unspoken struggles and sacrifices of motherhood. The rhythmic flow of the poem and its earnest plea enhance the emotional depth, making it deeply relatable and moving.
Relevance in Today’s Society: Even in modern times, the responsibilities and struggles of mothers remain unchanged. Women continue to be the silent force holding families together, often balancing household duties, careers, and emotional support. The poem serves as a reminder to appreciate and acknowledge the immense contributions of women, highlighting the need for recognition and shared responsibilities.
Tynan’s “Any Woman” is more than just a poem—it is a celebration of a woman’s unwavering love, resilience, and dedication. It urges us to recognize the true essence of motherhood and honor the sacrifices made by the women who shape our lives.
Comparison
You are aware of the pivotal role of a woman, especially the mother at home. There are occasions when her self-effacing love is painfully missing, when the prayer “Take me not till the children grow!” has not been realised. Now, compare Any Woman (seen) with the following poem (unseen).
The Toys” by Coventry Patmore
My little Son, who look’d from thoughtful eyes
And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise,
Having my law the seventh time disobey’d,
I struck him, and dismiss’d
With hard words and unkiss’d,
His Mother, who was patient, being dead.
Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep,
I visited his bed,
But found him slumbering deep,
With darken’d eyelids, and their lashes yet
From his late sobbing wet.
And I, with moan,
Kissing away his tears, left others of my own;
For, on a table drawn beside his head,
He had put, within his reach,
A box of counters and a red-vein’d stone,
A piece of glass abraded by the beach
And six or seven shells,
A bottle with bluebells
And two French copper coins, ranged there with
careful art,
To comfort his sad heart.
So when that night I pray’d
To God, I wept, and said:
Ah, when at last we lie with tranced breath,
Not vexing Thee in death,
And Thou rememberest of what toys
We made our joys,
How weakly understood
Thy great commanded good,
Then, fatherly not less
Than I whom Thou hast moulded from the clay,
Thou’lt leave Thy wrath, and say,
“I will be sorry for their childishness.
Comparison Between “Any Woman” and “The Toys”
Both poems explore parental love, sacrifice, and emotional depth, but they approach these themes from different perspectives.
Theme of Love and Protection: In “Any Woman”, the mother is a selfless protector, ensuring her children’s safety and well-being. She is compared to pillars, fire, and walls, symbolizing strength and nurturing. Her love is endless and unwavering, as she begs not to be taken before her children grow. In “The Toys”, the father is also a protector, but he initially acts with strict discipline rather than warmth. His harshness and regret reveal a different side of parenting—a lesson learned only after seeing his child’s pain.
Absence of a Mother Figure: “Any Woman” celebrates the central role of a mother, making it clear that without her, the home loses its warmth and structure. “The Toys” presents a household without a mother—she has passed away, leaving the father to raise the child alone. Her absence highlights the lack of tenderness in the home, as the father struggles to balance discipline and love.
Emotional Journey of the Parent: The mother in “Any Woman” is consistently loving and protective, dedicating herself entirely to her children. The father in “The Toys” starts off strict and authoritative, but later realizes his mistake and deeply regrets his lack of tenderness.
Symbolism and Imagery: “Any Woman” uses metaphors of a house (pillar, fire, walls) to show how a mother supports her children. “The Toys” uses small objects (shells, stones, coins) as symbols of a child’s innocence, highlighting how children find comfort in simple things when deprived of warmth.
Both poems beautifully capture the significance of parental love, one from the perspective of a mother’s unwavering devotion, and the other from a father’s journey of realization and remorse.
Appreciation of “The Toys” by Coventry Patmore
Coventry Patmore’s “The Toys” is a poignant reflection on parental regret, loss, and divine understanding. The poem explores the father’s harshness toward his son, followed by the deep sorrow he feels when witnessing his child’s quiet attempt to find comfort.
The theme of parental remorse runs throughout the poem. The father punishes his son for disobedience, striking him and sending him away without a kiss. However, after seeing his son asleep with wet lashes from crying, he is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow. The child’s collection of small objects—shells, coins, and stones—reveals his innocent attempt to soothe his sadness, which touches the father deeply.
Patmore uses soft, melancholic imagery to highlight the contrast between the father’s authority and the child’s vulnerability. The poem’s turning point is the father’s realization that, just as children make mistakes, adults too misunderstand life’s greater truths. His prayer at the end reflects his hope that God will show mercy, just as he himself should have shown mercy to his son.
Through simple yet powerful expressions, the poet conveys the profound connection between human fallibility and divine compassion. The father understands that just as he regrets his strictness, God too forgives human ignorance—a lesson learned through his own experience as a parent.
