Final answer:
In 'Hanging Fire' by Audre Lorde, the speaker is a teenage girl dealing with the anxieties of adolescence, depicted through a candid and conversational tone. The poem's language and structure underscore her isolation and urgent need to be heard.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'speaker' in a poem refers to the narrative voice that speaks the lines of the poem, and not necessarily the author themselves. In the poem 'Hanging Fire' by Audre Lorde, the speaker is typically described as a teenage girl who is grappling with the challenges of adolescence and insecurity. The speaker expresses concerns about her appearance, her mother's absence, and her fears about dying young. The poem's candid and anxious tone allows readers to connect with the personal and often universal worries of growing into adulthood.
The poem's use of conversational language and free verse contributes to the portrayal of the speaker as realistic and relatable. The repetition of "I want to say" emphasizes the speaker's need to be heard and understood, while the repeated line "and momma's in the bedroom with the door closed" highlights the sense of isolation and yearning for guidance and support.