The speaker describes both herself and the quilts as “sewn hard and taut to withstand the thrashings of / twenty-five years” in lines 53 to 54. Using context clues in these lines and the entire stanza, infer the meaning of taut as it is used in this description. Write the meaning in your own words and explain how you figured it out.
In this context, the word "taut" means tightly stretched or pulled. The speaker implies that both herself and the quilts have faced significant challenges and turmoil for 25 years. They have endured difficult situations, but have remained resilient and strong. By using the word "taut," the speaker suggests that they have maintained their structure and strength despite the hardships they have faced. This can be inferred from the fact that quilts are typically made with tightly stretched fabric in order to ensure durability. Additionally, the phrase "to withstand the thrashings" implies that both the speaker and the quilts have been subjected to rough treatment or violent movements but have remained intact. Therefore, the word "taut" in this description reinforces the idea of endurance and resilience.
