The Century Quilt Syntax

Through the use of a structure that contains winded syntax and strong imagery, Waniek conveys that the quilt personified in the passage symbolizes the family’s history and represents how important it is to cherish all the little things in life. The brisk and simplistic syntax that mimics a child’ speech utilized by Marilyn Nelson Waniek in The Century Quilt produces a fragmented structure and conveys the quilt’s underlying meaning. By writing in such a manner Waniek mirrors the speakers excitement because she speaks in short phrases as a kid would when discussing the blanket and expresses the respected tradition of quilting the family practices. Quilting is evident in Indian culture and by using short, jubilant phrases such as “ I think I’d have good dreams” and “giggled and danced” when describing the quilt, Waniek stresses the excitement the speaker experiences about her Meema’s handmade artifact. The quilt helps the narrator to remember her sister “the last time [she] visited her” and the

The speaker declares “each square [of the quilt] holds a sweet gum leaf.” Trees are often symbols of wisdom in literature but also represent family, hence the practice of constructing a family tree. The narrator often mentions memories about her family the quilt evokes so by comparing “Meema’s Indian blanket” to a tree the audience is led to believe that the quilt is symbolic for the importance of family and that you should cherish the small things in life like “all of the beautiful sisters” and “childhood miracles.” Later in the poem the speaker admires the quilt’s “pattern of leaves” after declaring it “The Century Quilt.” By metaphorically comparing the blanket to a tree for a second time, Waniek emphasized Meema’s wisdom since she crafted the quilt and enforced that the indian blanket represents the importance of family and preserving your