In Sylvia Tyson’s piece “Régine” is used to illustrate two paths of two young sisters; these women were brought up in the same household, however their decisions juxtapose. The simple sister, Ellen, is demonstrated to take up more of a traditional stance, which contrasts the pretty sister, Régine who lives a life occupied with admiration.
Early in the poem Ellen introduces Régine to the audience, while hinting out her jealousy of her sister. Ellen expresses, Régine as “the pretty one/ [who] never was lonely for long”, this indicates that Régine was admired by many and lived on the aspect of her looks (1-2). However, Ellen illustrates a path commonly taken, she appears hesitant to make her decisions, and situate herself in a social environment, though positively critiques Régine as an individual “[who] lives in a…show more content… Tyson uses this to suggest Ellen’s insecurity of her appearance, contrasting Régine’s ability to glance over others critique; criticizing society of its values. Nevertheless as the poem progresses it is evident that when the sibling’s mother had passed away, Ellen filled up the motherly role as “[she] learned to cook and clean” (6). Contrasting Régine, who created a personal path, as she decides to depart from the farm at a young age and marries. Perhaps indicating why the father was fond of Régine, as she created a distinctive path through life whereas Ellen did what is expected, consequently leading a path traveled by others. This reaction of the father demonstrates irony as the audience should anticipate Ellen to be loved as she treats her father’s ailments however this is contradicted as Régine “…took all the love and left [Ellen] with none” (12). As the piece neared closure, the audience discovers that Ellen had postponed being married until she neared thirty, the piece also indicates Ellen’s husband, Carl, had “married the land” (17). Implying that neither Carl nor Ellen was in love however Ellen required a man to tend to the farm