"marks" as in letter grades
or the "marks" the speakers family has left on her from their words
Form/structure
Lyric poem
Periods split the poem into the father, son, and daughter. Three sections of four lines
commas emphasize the things her family thinks about her
Shortest line at the end makes it the most powerful
Literal meaning
The mother is literally stating that her family grades her on the things she does. Her husband gives her A's and B's for the chores she does. Her son says that she is simply average and can improve with effort. Her daughter says she passes as a mother. Then she says that she is planning on dropping out
Figurative meaning
The mother is doing everything in the family and her family doesn't help but takes advantage of her. They judge her and even think that she could do better.
The judgment leaves marks on her life and feelings. She is portraying the role of a stereotypical mother.
She is done with being judged so she is just going to stop doing the things she usually does and let the family fend for themselves.
Technique #1:
Controlling metaphor
The whole poem focuses on the comparison of motherhood to school, using the chores a mother has to do to represent things that would be graded in school. This metaphor allows for a greater understanding. It also gives the poem a comedic tone.
Technique #2:
Speaker/POV
In this case the author is the speaker.
It is in first person which makes it more personal and her feelings are clear.
Pastan has 2 kids so it can be assumed that the poem is about her family
Technique #3:
Middle diction
The use of middle diction emphasizes the fact that the speaker is just an average mother. Again she is the stereotypical housewife and nothing special.
The non formal diction suggests a bland tone. She sounds tired of being graded/judged.