'A Woman Unconscious' by Ted Hughes


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Russia and America circle each other;
Threats nudge an act that were without doubt
A melting of the mould in the mother,
Stones melting about the root.

The quick of the earth burned out:
The toil of all our ages a loss
With leaf and insect. Yet flitting thought
(Not to be thought ridiculous)

Shies from the world-cancelling black
Of its playing shadow: it has learned
That there's no trusting (trusting to luck)
Dates when the world's due to be burned;

That the future's no calamitous change
But a malingering of now,
Histories, towns, faces that no
Malice or accident much derange.

And though bomb be matched against bomb,
Though all mankind wince out and nothing endure --
Earth gone in an instant flare --
Did a lesser death come

Onto the white hospital bed
Where one, numb beyond her last of sense,
Closed her eyes on the world's evidence
And into pillows sunk her head.


Submitted by Andrew Mayers

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Woman Unconscious by Ted Hughes: A Masterpiece of Dark Imagery and Sensory Detail

Ted Hughes, the British poet and writer, is known for his raw, visceral poetry that delves deep into the human psyche and the natural world. In "A Woman Unconscious," one of his most famous poems, Hughes uses vivid imagery and sensory detail to explore themes of power, desire, and the ambiguous nature of reality.

The Poem

The poem is structured in three stanzas of equal length, each consisting of four quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This formal structure, combined with Hughes' use of vivid imagery and sensory detail, creates a sense of tension and unease that pervades the poem.

The poem begins with a description of a woman lying unconscious on a bed, surrounded by a group of men who are trying to revive her. The woman's body is described in vivid detail, with Hughes using sensory language to create a vivid and unsettling image:

A woman unconscious, in the house of the dead, Her naked feet protruding from the bed, And strange manifestations of heat and cold Flitting over her limbs, went the rounds of the room.

The use of the phrase "house of the dead" immediately sets a tone of unease and foreboding, while the mention of the woman's naked feet and the "strange manifestations" creates a sense of the supernatural and the uncanny.

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts to the men who are gathered around the woman. Hughes uses sensory language to describe their actions and their physical presence, painting a vivid picture of the scene:

The windows groaned, the door crept open; Threads of fog from the street Writhed through the room and was soon broken And into the air discreet.

Again, Hughes uses sensory language to create a vivid image of the scene, with the groaning windows and creeping door adding to the sense of unease.

The final stanza of the poem shifts focus once again, this time to the woman herself. Hughes uses powerful imagery to describe the woman's physical and emotional state, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty:

But the woman, starless and bible-black, Slept in the arms of her dream of God. The beast that lurks in the heart of love Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born.

The use of the phrase "starless and bible-black" is particularly striking, creating a sense of darkness and emptiness. The final lines of the poem, with their reference to the "beast that lurks in the heart of love," create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and a desire to delve deeper into the poem's meaning.

Themes and Interpretations

At its core, "A Woman Unconscious" is a poem about power and desire. The woman in the poem is unconscious, unable to exert any power or control over her situation, while the men around her are attempting to revive her, exerting their own power and control over her body.

The use of vivid imagery and sensory detail in the poem creates a sense of tension and unease, highlighting the power struggles that are taking place. The sense of the supernatural and the uncanny that pervades the poem adds to the sense of unease, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that leaves the reader questioning what is really happening.

At the same time, the poem can also be read as a commentary on the nature of reality and the ambiguity of human experience. The woman's dream of God, described in the final stanza, can be seen as a metaphor for the unknowable and mysterious nature of reality, while the "beast that lurks in the heart of love" can be seen as a metaphor for the darker, more primal aspects of human desire.

Overall, "A Woman Unconscious" is a powerful and haunting poem that uses vivid imagery and sensory detail to explore complex themes of power, desire, and the ambiguous nature of reality. Whether read as a commentary on human experience or an exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche, the poem is a masterpiece of dark and evocative poetry that continues to captivate and intrigue readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Woman Unconscious: A Masterpiece of Ted Hughes

Ted Hughes, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that often explores the darker aspects of human nature. His poem, A Woman Unconscious, is a prime example of his exceptional poetic prowess. This poem is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of human relationships, the power dynamics between men and women, and the destructive nature of love.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a woman lying unconscious on a bed. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The woman is described as "white as a bone" and "naked as paper," which creates a sense of vulnerability and fragility. The use of the word "bone" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the woman is nothing more than a lifeless object, devoid of any humanity.

As the poem progresses, we learn that the woman is not actually unconscious, but rather in a state of deep sleep. This revelation is significant, as it suggests that the woman is not in control of her own body or mind. She is at the mercy of the man who is watching over her, and who has the power to do with her as he pleases.

The man is described as "a man of wood" who is "staring at her." This imagery is powerful, as it suggests that the man is emotionless and devoid of any empathy or compassion. He is simply observing the woman, as if she is nothing more than an object to be studied or analyzed.

The poem then takes a dark turn, as the man begins to touch the woman's body. The use of the word "pawing" is particularly disturbing, as it suggests that the man is treating the woman like an animal. He is not respecting her boundaries or her autonomy, but rather using her body for his own pleasure.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the man begins to contemplate the nature of love. He wonders if love is nothing more than a "carnal embrace," or if it is something deeper and more meaningful. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it suggests that the man is struggling with his own emotions and desires. He is questioning whether his actions are driven by love or by something more base and primal.

The poem then returns to the woman, who is still unconscious and unaware of what is happening to her. The man continues to touch her body, but now he is filled with a sense of guilt and shame. He realizes that what he is doing is wrong, and that he is violating the woman's trust and her body.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they suggest that the man is trapped in a cycle of destructive behavior. He knows that what he is doing is wrong, but he cannot stop himself. He is driven by his own desires and his own sense of power, and he is unable to break free from this destructive cycle.

In conclusion, A Woman Unconscious is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the destructive nature of love. Ted Hughes' use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of unease and foreboding, drawing the reader into the dark and disturbing world of the poem. The poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to Hughes' exceptional poetic prowess.

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