Agard's employment of mirrors serves as a potent symbol to highlight the intricate duality of human perception and self-awareness. On the one hand, the poem highlights the ability of mirrors to accurately capture and represent one's physical characteristics. The speaker acknowledges that mirrors objectively portray appearances, even when they might not match idealized notions of beauty or society's parameters.
On the other hand, the poet introduces the compelling concept of mirrors acting as potential deceivers. They may produce distorted reflections, warping or distorting the perceived self. Agard underscores that mirrors cannot fully portray the entirety of one's being. They might fail to capture the complex subtleties of one's experiences, emotions, and internal world, leading to feelings of alienation or frustration.
By introducing the thought of multiple mirrors as a metaphor, Agard underscores how various circumstances, influences, and aspects of one's identity can impact how they perceive themselves. Different aspects of the self may be accentuated or muted depending on the context and perspective, leading to a multi-faceted mosaic of self-understanding.
This leads into a commentary on racial identity and societal constructs. Agard emphasizes the distorting influence of external norms and expectations on self-perception, particularly for marginalized groups. He highlights the way in which society's preconceptions can act as distorting mirrors, potentially contributing to feelings of unworthiness, inferiority, or inauthenticity.
However, "Mirrors" also underscores possibilities for self-empowerment and self-acceptance. Agard proposes the metaphor of the "looking-glass self," implying that our identities are not rigidly defined, but rather malleable and influenced by social and cultural contexts. By becoming cognizant of the potential illusions and distortions, individuals can gain agency to question imposed narratives, embrace their uniqueness, and build a self-concept based on self-acceptance and strength.
In conclusion, the poem "Mirrors" provides a penetrating examination of the multifaceted aspects of identity and self-perception through the powerful use of mirror symbolism. Agard urges readers to critically evaluate the ways in which they perceive themselves and others to forge a genuine sense of self-worth, irrespective of societal labels and perceived flaws.