In the poem "Good Times" by Lucille Clifton, she uses repeatition and diction repeatedly. The poem is very simple, and clearly is representing the others life as a child, and her happiness. According to the author, bread, being financially stable, and having the family together is what a good times mean to her.
The author repeats "good times" throughout the poem, proving that what she is describing is truely the good times and that it meant a lot to her. In the last two lines, Clifton states "Oh children think about the good times" (16,17) I think Clifton was trying to feel good by thinking about the good times while having to deal with the hard times.
The author uses interesting word choice and diction throughout what seems to be a very easy- read poem. She uses happy and positive words such as paid, light, dollar, bread, drunk, dancing, singing, and children. Once reading these words it is very simple to create a picture of what exactly is happening. One pictures a lit up house, a very cozy living room and kitchen , the smell of bread and noise of laughter and the entire family together. The words she chooses allow the reader to create great images in their heads.
By seeing the date the poem was written in, it is easy to infer that this was written during the times of the Great Depression, where times and money were hard. I think whats interesting about this poem is that its setting is in the kitchen which is usually a hectic place, yet all of the family members are singing and dancing drunk around the kitchen. The lights turning back on allow the reader to see the setting as night time where the lights are brightening up not only the house itself but the mood of the family.
I think that beyond the literal interpretation this poem not only shows happiness but it proves that even the little things in life matter. Sometimes its not where you are or what the weathers like, but who is there spending time with you, that actually matters.
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