'Elephant Poem' by Judy Grahn
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Suppose you have an elephant
with 56 millimeter trunk
and say he's
tearing up the jungle
(say you think he's drunk
or crazy)
How're you going to bring that elephant down?
lion can't
bear could but don't want to
and the panther's too small for that job.
Then suppose you have an elephant
with million millimeter trunk
and his jungle is the whole green world?
(and drunk
and crazy)
you see the problem.
one more word
about elephants
No matter how hard they try
elephants cannot pick their noses
any more than bankers can hand out money
or police put away their pistols
or politicians get right with God.
a sty
in the elephant's eye
aint nothing
but a fly in his nose
is a serious if not fatal condition
when the fly
gets into that nostril
it begins to swell
and stay closed
he can't smell can't drink can't think
can't get one up
on anybody
he begins to regret
all that flabby ammunition
hanging on him
he begins to wish
he'd been a little more bare-faced
like an ape or a fish
all those passageways
he needs to feed himself
tied up
ELEPHANT TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
by a fly
a million flies
outweigh a trunk
a tank
a bank
a million flies
outthink a pile of IBM
junk
we must be wise
to the elephant's lies
you may think we should try
to sober him up
but the trouble isn't that he's drunk
the trouble is
that he's an elephant
with multi-millimeter trunk
who believes the world is his jungle
and until he dies
he grows and grows
we must be flies
in the elephant's nose
ready to carry on
in every town
you know there are butterflies
there are horse flies and house flies
blue flies, shoo flies and it's-not-
true flies
then there are may flies and wood flies
but I'm talking about
can flies & do flies
bottle flies, rock flies and sock flies
dragonflies and fireflies
in the elephant's nose
ready to carry on
til he goes down
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Elephant Poem: A Masterpiece of Feminist Literature
The Elephant Poem by Judy Grahn is a classic work of feminist literature that has stood the test of time. This 44-line poem, first published in 1976, is a powerful critique of patriarchy, capitalism, and imperialism. It uses the metaphor of elephants to represent women and their struggle for freedom and liberation. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this masterpiece of poetry.
Themes
The Elephant Poem touches on several themes that are central to feminist literature. The most prominent of these themes is the struggle for freedom and liberation. The poem portrays women as elephants who are chained and oppressed by male-dominated society. The elephants are forced to perform tricks for the amusement of the crowd, just as women are forced to conform to societal norms and expectations.
Another important theme in the poem is the critique of patriarchy. The elephants are controlled by male trainers who use whips and sticks to force them to perform. This is a powerful metaphor for the way in which men have historically oppressed women through violence and coercion.
The poem also critiques capitalism and imperialism. The circus is depicted as a place of exploitation, where animals and humans alike are used for profit. The elephants are shipped from faraway lands to perform for the crowds, just as resources are extracted from colonized countries for the benefit of Western powers.
Symbolism
The Elephant Poem is rich in symbolism, with the elephants representing women and their struggle for freedom. The chains that bind the elephants represent the constraints of patriarchy and societal norms. The trainers represent the male-dominated society that seeks to control and exploit women.
The circus itself is a symbol of the capitalist and imperialist systems that oppress people and exploit resources. The crowds that watch the elephants perform represent the masses who are complicit in these systems of oppression.
The use of the color pink in the poem is also symbolic. Pink is traditionally associated with femininity and is often used to reinforce gender norms. In the poem, the pink elephants represent the way in which women are objectified and reduced to their gender.
Literary Devices
Grahn uses several literary devices in The Elephant Poem to convey her message. One of the most prominent of these is metaphor. The elephants in the poem are a metaphor for women and their struggle for freedom. This metaphor is extended throughout the poem, with the chains, trainers, and crowds all representing different aspects of patriarchy and societal norms.
Personification is also used in the poem, with the elephants being given human-like qualities. This serves to humanize the elephants and make the reader more empathetic to their plight.
The use of repetition is another powerful literary device in the poem. The phrase "and the elephants marched on" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the determination and resilience of the elephants in the face of oppression.
Interpretation
The Elephant Poem is a powerful critique of patriarchy, capitalism, and imperialism. It uses the metaphor of elephants to represent women and their struggle for freedom and liberation. The poem highlights the ways in which women are oppressed by societal norms and patriarchal structures, and the complicity of the masses in these systems of oppression.
The use of symbolism and literary devices in the poem serves to reinforce its message and make it more impactful. The metaphor of the elephants, the personification of the animals, and the use of repetition all work together to create a powerful and memorable piece of poetry.
Overall, The Elephant Poem is a masterpiece of feminist literature that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of speaking out against all forms of oppression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elephant Poem by Judy Grahn: A Masterpiece of Feminist Literature
Judy Grahn's Elephant Poem is a masterpiece of feminist literature that explores the themes of power, oppression, and resistance through the metaphor of elephants. The poem is a powerful critique of patriarchy and its impact on women's lives, and it offers a vision of solidarity and liberation that is both inspiring and empowering.
At its core, Elephant Poem is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women. The poem begins with a description of elephants, majestic creatures that are known for their size and power. Grahn uses the image of the elephant to symbolize the strength and power of women, who have been historically marginalized and oppressed by patriarchal societies. By comparing women to elephants, Grahn challenges the traditional gender roles that have been imposed on women and asserts their right to be strong and powerful.
The poem also explores the ways in which women have been oppressed and silenced by patriarchal societies. Grahn describes how elephants are often captured and forced to perform in circuses, just as women have been forced to conform to societal expectations and perform gender roles that are not natural to them. The image of the circus is particularly powerful, as it represents the ways in which women have been objectified and commodified by patriarchal societies.
Despite the oppression they face, however, Grahn's elephants are not passive victims. Instead, they resist their captivity and fight for their freedom. The poem describes how elephants use their strength and intelligence to break free from their chains and escape from their captors. This image of resistance is a powerful metaphor for women's struggle for liberation, and it offers a message of hope and empowerment to women who are fighting against patriarchy.
Throughout the poem, Grahn also emphasizes the importance of solidarity among women. She describes how elephants form close bonds with each other and work together to protect their young and defend themselves against predators. This image of solidarity is a powerful reminder of the importance of sisterhood and collective action in the fight against patriarchy. By working together and supporting each other, women can overcome the obstacles that have been placed in their path and achieve true liberation.
In addition to its powerful message, Elephant Poem is also a beautifully crafted work of poetry. Grahn's use of language is both evocative and precise, and her imagery is rich and vivid. The poem is full of sensory details that bring the world of the elephants to life, from the sound of their trumpeting calls to the feel of their rough skin. This attention to detail makes the poem feel both real and magical, and it draws the reader into the world of the elephants.
Overall, Elephant Poem is a masterpiece of feminist literature that offers a powerful critique of patriarchy and a vision of solidarity and liberation for women. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem challenges traditional gender roles and asserts women's right to be strong and powerful. It also offers a message of hope and empowerment to women who are fighting against patriarchy, reminding them of the importance of sisterhood and collective action. For these reasons, Elephant Poem is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist literature and the struggle for women's liberation.
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