"Dusting"

Julia Alvarez's poem, "Dusting," reflects the desires that many children have to grow up and become their own person, rather than to follow in their parents' footsteps.  This poem tells the story of a mother, who cleans houses on a daily basis for a living, and her daughter, who watches her mother and hopes to grow up and make herself known to the world.  In the poem, the word "dusting" has dual meanings.  The word has a literal meaning when used to explain the activities of the mother; it informs the reader that she cleans for a living.  However, concerning the daughter, the word has a more figurative meaning, as it underscores her desire to create a new, exciting life for herself, and to "dust" away the habits of her family.  She informs the reader that she practices her signature in the dusty furniture everyday before her mother cleans it off.  This reflects her desire to become famous, unlike her mother, who remains "anonymous."