Final answer:
The theme of 'A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long' is the transformative power of books and the impact of a caring mentor. This is conveyed through the narrator's gratitude for Mrs. Long's role in fostering their love for literature and providing a safe space for intellectual exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of 'A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long' is the transformative power of books and the impact of a caring mentor. This theme is conveyed through the narrator's gratitude for Mrs. Long's role in fostering their love for literature and providing a safe space for intellectual exploration.
An example of textual evidence that supports this theme is when the narrator describes Mrs. Long as a 'burnished lady' who 'taught us what she had to teach / not with gray, painful ease / but with a flaring insistence / upon the life, and passing stuff, / and deep, deep breathing.' These lines highlight how Mrs. Long's enthusiasm and dedication to teaching left a lasting impression on the narrator and their peers.
Overall, 'A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long' celebrates the transformative and empowering role that literature and mentorship can have in a person's life.