Poems, although they can be appreciated individually, are better understood if the reader sees them in the context of the poet’s other works. One such poem that benefits from being approached in this way is “Mother Who Gave Me Life”. “Mother…” is one of several poems Harwood wrote about motherhood and the role of women in society. The title and first line of “Mother…” centralises the role of women and implies that giving life …showed first 75 words of 947 total…

…showed last 75 words of 947 total…possible to appreciate a single poem on its own, it must be seen in the context of her other works to gain a richer understanding and greater insight of the poem. “Mother Who Gave Me Life”, while beautiful and poignant, can be far greater understood if the reader has background knowledge of the themes and ideas presented in the other women poems and other poems such as “The Violets” and the ‘Father and Child’ poems.