'This Is A Photograph Of Me' by Margaret Atwood


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It was taken some time ago.
At first it seems to be
a smeared
print: blurred lines and grey flecks
blended with the paper;

then, as you scan
it, you see in the left-hand corner
a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree
(balsam or spruce) emerging
and, to the right, halfway up
what ought to be a gentle
slope, a small frame house.

In the background there is a lake,
and beyond that, some low hills.

(The photograph was taken
the day after I drowned.

I am in the lake, in the center
of the picture, just under the surface.

It is difficult to say where
precisely, or to say
how large or small I am:
the effect of water
on light is a distortion

but if you look long enough,
eventually
you will be able to see me.)

Editor 1 Interpretation

This Is A Photograph Of Me: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that seems to be very simple at the first glance, but as you read it again and again, you discover its hidden meanings and its true beauty? If you haven't, then you must read "This Is A Photograph Of Me" by Margaret Atwood. This poem is a masterpiece of poetry that has a lot to offer to its readers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the different layers of this poem and understand why it is considered to be one of the best poems of the twentieth century.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's first understand the background and context in which it was written. Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, and environmental activist, who was born in 1939. She has written many books and poems that deal with issues such as feminism, identity, and the environment. "This Is A Photograph Of Me" was first published in Atwood's second poetry collection, "The Circle Game," in 1964. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not have a specific rhyme or meter.

The Poem

Let's now take a look at the poem itself:

It was taken some time ago.
At first it seems to be
a smeared
print: blurred lines and grey flecks
blended with the paper;

then, as you scan
it, you see in the left-hand corner
a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree
(balsam or spruce) emerging
and, to the right, halfway up
what ought to be a gentle
slope, a small frame house.

In the background there is a lake,
and beyond that, some low hills.

(The photograph was taken
the day after I drowned.
I am in the lake, in the center
of the picture, just under the surface.
It is difficult to say where
precisely, or to say
how large or small I am:
the effect of water
on light is a distortion
but if you look long enough,
eventually
you will be able to see me.)

At first glance, this poem seems to be a description of a photograph. The speaker describes how the photograph looks like a smeared print with blurred lines and grey flecks. As you read further, you notice that the speaker is talking about a photograph that was taken after they drowned. The speaker reveals that they are in the lake, in the center of the picture, just under the surface. The poem ends with the speaker saying that it is difficult to say where precisely they are in the picture, or how large or small they are, but if you look long enough, eventually, you will be able to see them.

Themes and Interpretation

Now that we have an understanding of the poem, let's dive deeper into its themes and interpretation.

Identity and Feminism

One of the central themes of this poem is identity. The speaker in the poem is struggling to find their place in the world. The photograph represents the way the speaker sees themselves, but it is distorted by the water and the light. This distortion can be seen as a metaphor for the way society distorts our identities. Society puts us into boxes and defines us by our gender, race, class, and other factors. The speaker is trying to break free from these societal constraints and find their true self.

This theme of identity is closely tied to feminism, which is another theme that runs through the poem. Atwood is known for her feminist writings, and "This Is A Photograph Of Me" is no exception. The poem can be seen as a critique of the patriarchal society that defines women's identities for them. The speaker is trying to break free from these definitions and find their own identity.

Death and Afterlife

Another theme that runs through the poem is death and the afterlife. The speaker reveals that the photograph was taken the day after they drowned. This revelation adds another layer of meaning to the poem. The speaker is not just struggling with their identity, but also with their mortality. The fact that the speaker is in the photograph, just under the surface of the water, can be seen as a metaphor for the afterlife. The speaker is not quite alive, but not quite dead either. They are in a liminal space, waiting to be seen, waiting to be discovered.

Nature and Environment

Finally, the poem also deals with the theme of nature and the environment. The photograph in the poem depicts a natural landscape with a lake, hills, and a tree. Atwood is known for her environmental activism, and this theme is present in many of her poems. The poem can be seen as a critique of the way humans have exploited nature for their own purposes. The speaker is trying to find their place in this natural world and connect with it on a deeper level.

Conclusion

"This Is A Photograph Of Me" is a masterpiece of poetry that deals with complex themes such as identity, feminism, death, and the environment. Atwood's use of free verse and metaphorical language adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a rich and rewarding read. The poem's ambiguous ending leaves the reader with a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting them to read it again and again, discovering new layers of meaning each time. If you haven't read this poem yet, then you must. It is a true gem of twentieth-century poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

This Is A Photograph Of Me: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Symbolism

Margaret Atwood's poem, "This Is A Photograph Of Me," is a masterpiece of imagery and symbolism. It is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of identity, perception, and the power of nature. The poem is a perfect example of Atwood's ability to use language to create vivid and powerful images that stay with the reader long after the poem has been read.

The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing a photograph of a lake and the second part describing the speaker's experience of drowning in that same lake. The poem is written in the first person, which gives the reader a sense of intimacy with the speaker and allows them to experience the emotions and sensations of the speaker.

The first part of the poem is a description of a photograph of a lake. The speaker describes the photograph as "black and white" and "faded," which gives the reader a sense of the age of the photograph. The lake is described as "flat," "featureless," and "remote," which creates a sense of isolation and emptiness. The speaker also describes the photograph as "a photograph of me," which immediately raises questions about the identity of the speaker and their relationship to the lake.

The second part of the poem is a description of the speaker's experience of drowning in the lake. The speaker describes the lake as "cold" and "deep," which creates a sense of danger and foreboding. The speaker also describes the lake as "my element," which suggests that the speaker has a deep connection to the lake and that drowning in it is a kind of homecoming.

The poem is full of powerful imagery and symbolism. The lake is a symbol of nature and the power of the natural world. The speaker's drowning in the lake is a symbol of the power of nature to overwhelm and consume us. The photograph is a symbol of memory and the way that memories can be distorted and faded over time. The black and white and faded quality of the photograph is a symbol of the way that memories can become distorted and lose their vividness over time.

The poem is also full of contrasts and contradictions. The lake is described as both "flat" and "deep," which creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The lake is also described as both "featureless" and "my element," which suggests that the speaker has a deep connection to the lake despite its apparent lack of features. The photograph is described as both "a photograph of me" and "not me," which creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty about the identity of the speaker.

The poem is also full of sensory details that create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The coldness of the lake, the darkness of the water, and the weight of the water pressing down on the speaker's body are all described in vivid detail. The sensory details create a sense of realism and immediacy that makes the reader feel as if they are experiencing the drowning along with the speaker.

In conclusion, "This Is A Photograph Of Me" is a masterpiece of imagery and symbolism. It is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, perception, and the power of nature. The poem is full of powerful imagery and symbolism, as well as sensory details that create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. Margaret Atwood's ability to use language to create vivid and powerful images is on full display in this poem, and it is a testament to her skill as a poet.

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