Old Maids by Sandra Cisneros

I have chosen this poem not only because I like the theme (marriage) but also because the author is clear with what she want to express. After doing some research, I found out that this poem is autobiographical. Cisneros and her cousins were born and raised in Mexico. They were 30 years old and they were consider to be spinsters for their community and family. The poem explains that their aunts asked them why they haven't got married yet.

After reading the poem several times, some strong feeling were evoked such as sadness, gloomy and sorry for them. But after some research, this feelings changed because Cisneros chose to remain single. She explains in an interview: "I've never seen a marriage that is as happy as my living alone," Cisneros replied. "My writing is my child and I don't want anything to come between us." (taken from Wikipedia)

I believe that I can relate this poem with "To the lighthouse" because it is strictly connected with Cisneros. Marriage and age are important themes in the novel, mainly when we are talking about Lili Bricoe. She was single and  everybody at the Ramsey's house were trying to find her a husband even though she wanted to remain single and to continue working with her paintings.

In the gloster, I included a picture of Sandra Cisneros, rings (which represents marriage), a Mexican family (because of what the poem says) and an interesting video.