But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!
Question 1: What does the speaker express a desire to do in the stanza?
Answer: The speaker expresses a desire to revert to their former self, to undo the behaviors and habits they have acquired over time, particularly those that have muted their true emotions and expressions.
Question 2: How does the speaker describe their laughter in the stanza?
Answer: The speaker describes their laughter as unnatural and forced, comparing it to a snake's bare fangs. This suggests that their laughter lacks genuine warmth and sincerity, reflecting their internal struggle with expressing genuine emotions.
Question 3: What literary technique is evident in the line "shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs"?
Answer: The literary technique evident in this line is simile, where the speaker compares their laughter to a snake's bare fangs to emphasize the unnatural and insincere nature of their laughter.