Victor Cho

5/12/2015

Period 3
Poetic Analysis of "I Am Not Your Princess"
In the poem I Am Not Your Princess, the author, Chrystos, uses repetition and
metaphor to illustrate the misunderstood Native American stereotypes. Stereotyping damages
more than Native Americans; they affect all types of groups on a daily basis. The poet refuses to
be grouped with the stereotypically depicted Native American individual because she wants to be
unique to others. The whole poem portrays the author as a daring and discontented person. The
endless repetition of sentences beginning with I will not clearly displays the poets frustration.
Meaning can be deduced by the angered attitude that the poet displays. The highlight of her
exasperation occurs when she says If you ever again tell me how strong I am. Not only does
she illustrate her frustration, but she also illustrates how defiant she is. Additionally, the title I
Am Not Your Princess shows how the poet is a strong-willed woman who is entitled to her
sentiments. Her determination to set things right continues with lines such as I'll throw
up on you. The poets frustration has become so magnified that violence is suggested.
The poet utilizes metaphor to separate herself from an angry, ranting person, to an actual
human being with values and personality. Her recipe of 1 cup flour, spoon or salt, spoon of
baking powder Stir Add milk or water or beer until it holds together Slap each piece into rounds
Let rest Fry in hot grease until golden clearly displays her personality. Her implication that this
is the recipe she only follows serves as a divider between stereotypical Native American and
individuality. Her recipe distinguishes her as a different person, and is a metaphor that suggests
how every person is unique to themselves. Her closing at the end of the poem, 1 cup flour,
spoon of salt, spoon of baking powder, liquid to hold Remember this is only my recipe There are

many others emphasizes that no two people are ever the same. The many other [recipes] that
she mentions marks all other Native Americans as different from one another.
The whole movement of the poem is depicted by its repetition of the phrases I will not
and if you. The phrase I will not is repeated several times in the poem. It creates the effect of
portraying a woman who believes in her individuality and resents being a stereotypical Native
American. These moving words force the audience into sympathizing with her contempt. The
phrase if you illustrates an unruly, almost threatening character. Additionally, the poets recipe
for fry bread is used as an introduction and a conclusion. Without the use of repetition, the
overall meaning of the poem would be clouded; the sense of frustration would be lost. The poet
not only speaks for herself, but for all the people who are prejudiced by stereotypes.