Summary

The speaker addresses a nameless child, which acts as an extended metaphor for the book mentioned in the title. The speaker looks down upon their child and recalls how they kept them close after their birth, until well-meaning friends took the child away. The speaker’s friends sent the child abroad where the child was scrutinized by the public. The speaker is embarrassed by their unattractive child, yet hopes that her own love will eventually overcome her distaste. She makes efforts to improve the child’s shape and appearance by scrubbing them and stretching their limbs, but they make no improvement. The child is forced into the world, despite their unkempt appearance. The speaker cautions the child to be careful, and to say that they have no father. The child’s mother, the speaker, sent her child away out of poverty.

Analysis

“The Author...