'Crater Face' by Denise Duhamel


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is what we called her. The story was
that her father had thrown Drano at her
which was probably true, given the way she slouched
through fifth grade, afraid of the world, recess
especially. She had acne scars
before she had acne—poxs and dips
and bright red patches.
I don't remember
any report in the papers. I don't remember
my father telling me her father had gone to jail.
I never looked close to see the particulars
of Crater Face's scars. She was a blur, a cartoon
melting. Then, when she healed—her face,
a million pebbles set in cement.
Even Comet Boy,
who got his name by being so abrasive,
who made fun of everyone, didn't make fun
of her. She walked over the bridge
with the one other white girl who lived
in her neighborhood. Smoke curled
like Slinkies from the factory stacks
above them.
I liked to imagine that Crater Face
went straight home, like I did, to watch Shirley Temple
on channel 56. I liked to imagine that she slipped
into the screen, bumping Shirley with her hip
so that child actress slid out of frame, into the tubes
and wires that made the TV sputter when I turned it on.
Sometimes when I watched, I'd see Crater Face
tap-dancing with tall black men whose eyes
looked shiny, like the whites of hard-boiled eggs.
I'd try to imagine that her block was full
of friendly folk, with a lighthouse or goats
running in the street.
It was my way of praying,
my way of un-imagining the Drano pellets
that must have smacked against her
like a round of mini-bullets,
her whole face as vulnerable as a tongue
wrapped in sizzling pizza cheese.
How she'd come home with homework,
the weight of her books bending her into a wilting plant.
How her father called her slut, bitch, big baby, slob.
The hospital where she was forced to say it was an accident.
Her face palpable as something glowing in a Petri dish.
The bandages over her eyes.
In black and white,
with all that make-up, Crater Face almost looked pretty
sure her MGM father was coming back soon from the war,
seeing whole zoos in her thin orphanage soup.
She looked happiest when she was filmed
from the back, sprinting into the future,
fading into tiny gray dots on UHF.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Crater Face: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a delightful poem Crater Face by Denise Duhamel is! This witty and humorous piece of poetry takes the reader on a journey of self-acceptance and the beauty of imperfection. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of Crater Face.

Overview

Crater Face is a poem that tells the story of a woman who is plagued by a crater-like scar on her face. The poem begins with the woman describing her scar as a "moon crater" and how it makes her feel ugly and unattractive. She then goes on to describe how she tries to hide her scar with makeup and clothing, but it only makes her feel worse.

As the poem progresses, the woman begins to embrace her scar and sees it as a unique and beautiful feature. She compares it to the craters on the moon and sees it as a reminder of her strength and resilience. The poem ends with the woman declaring that she has "learned to love my crater face."

Themes

The main theme of Crater Face is self-acceptance. Throughout the poem, the woman struggles with accepting her scar and feeling beautiful despite it. However, as she begins to accept her scar and see it as a unique and beautiful feature, she also begins to accept herself and love herself for who she is.

Another theme in the poem is the beauty of imperfection. The woman's scar is seen as an imperfection, but as she learns to embrace it, she sees it as a beautiful and unique feature. The poem celebrates the idea that imperfections make us who we are and should be embraced rather than hidden.

Literary Devices

Duhamel uses several literary devices throughout the poem to enhance the themes and create a memorable reading experience. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is metaphor. The woman's scar is compared to a moon crater throughout the poem, which serves as a powerful metaphor for her struggle with self-acceptance and the ultimate acceptance of her imperfections.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The readers can visualize the woman's scar and her struggle to hide it. This adds depth to the character and makes it easier for the readers to connect with her.

The use of humor is also prevalent in the poem. The woman's initial description of her scar as a "moon crater" is both funny and relatable. This humor serves to lighten the mood of the poem and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

Interpretation

Crater Face is a poem about self-acceptance and the beauty of imperfection. It shows that imperfections are not something to be ashamed of but rather something to be celebrated. The woman's journey to self-acceptance is one that many readers can relate to, and the humor throughout the poem makes it an enjoyable read.

The poem also serves as a commentary on societal beauty standards. The woman's initial shame at her scar is a reflection of the pressure that women (and men) feel to conform to a certain standard of beauty. However, as the woman learns to love her scar, she also learns to reject these societal norms and embrace her own unique beauty.

Overall, Crater Face is a powerful and memorable poem that celebrates self-acceptance and the beauty of imperfection. It encourages readers to embrace their own unique features and reject societal beauty standards. This poem is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with self-acceptance or felt pressure to conform to societal norms.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Crater Face: A Poem That Speaks to the Heart

Denise Duhamel's poem "Crater Face" is a classic piece of literature that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The poem is a powerful commentary on the way society views people who are different, and it is a call to action for those who want to make a difference in the world.

At its core, "Crater Face" is a poem about a girl who is bullied because of her appearance. The girl has acne scars on her face, and her classmates make fun of her because of it. The poem is written in the first person, which gives the reader a sense of intimacy with the narrator. We feel like we are inside the girl's head, experiencing her pain and frustration firsthand.

The poem begins with the girl describing her scars as "craters." This is a powerful metaphor that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "crater" suggests something that is damaged or destroyed, and it also implies a sense of emptiness or hollowness. By using this metaphor, Duhamel is able to convey the depth of the girl's pain and the extent of her feelings of isolation.

As the poem progresses, we see the girl's frustration and anger grow. She talks about how she wants to "smash" the faces of her tormentors and how she wishes she could "explode" like a volcano. These violent images are a reflection of the girl's intense emotions, and they help to convey the sense of powerlessness that she feels in the face of her bullies.

Despite her anger, however, the girl also expresses a sense of resignation. She talks about how she has tried everything to get rid of her scars, from using expensive creams to praying to God. But nothing has worked, and she has come to accept that she will always be different. This sense of acceptance is both heartbreaking and empowering. On the one hand, it is sad to see the girl give up on her dreams of being "normal." On the other hand, it is inspiring to see her find a way to live with her scars and to embrace her uniqueness.

One of the most powerful aspects of "Crater Face" is the way that it speaks to the universal experience of feeling like an outsider. Whether we have acne scars or not, we have all felt like we don't fit in at some point in our lives. We have all been made to feel like we are not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough. This poem is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is strength in embracing our differences.

In addition to its universal themes, "Crater Face" is also a masterful work of poetry. Duhamel's use of metaphor and imagery is both subtle and powerful, and her language is both lyrical and accessible. The poem is also structured in a way that is both cohesive and dynamic. Each stanza builds on the one before it, and the poem as a whole has a sense of momentum that propels the reader forward.

Overall, "Crater Face" is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a powerful commentary on the way that society views people who are different, and it is a call to action for those who want to make a difference in the world. Whether you are a poet, a student, or just someone who loves great literature, this poem is a must-read. So take a few minutes to read "Crater Face" today, and let its words speak to you in a way that only great poetry can.

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