'Nor We Of Her To Him' by Stevie Smith
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Scorpion And Other PoemsHe said no word of her to us
Nor we of her to him,
But oh it saddened us to see
How wan he grew and thin.
We said: she eats him day and night
And draws the blood from him,
We did not know but said we thought
This was why he grew thin.One day we called and rang the bell,
No answer came within,
We said: She must have took him off
To the forest old and grim,
It has fell out, we said, that she
Eats him in forest grim,
And how can we help him being eaten
Up in forests grim?It is a restless time we spend,
We have no help from him,
We walk about and go to bed,
It is no help to him.
Sometimes we shake our heads and say
It might have better been
If he had spoke of us to her
Or we of her to him.
Which makes us feel helpful, until
The silence comes again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Nor We Of Her To Him: A Beautifully Complex Poem
Are you ready to dive into the depths of Stevie Smith's Nor We Of Her To Him? If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so before continuing with this literary analysis.
Overview
At first glance, this short poem (only six lines) may appear simple and straightforward, but upon closer inspection, one realizes the complex meanings and themes embedded within it. The poem centers around the relationship between a man and a woman, with the woman being the subject of the poem's title. The narrator, who is presumably female, speaks from the perspective of a third party observer, commenting on the couple's interactions.
Analysis
The poem's opening line, "Nor we of her to him nor he of her to us," sets the tone for the poem's ambiguous nature. The use of "nor" instead of "neither" creates a sense of negation, suggesting that the connection between the man and woman is non-existent. However, the line's structure, with the woman being the subject of the first clause, implies a stronger focus on her in the poem.
The second line, "That any one should deem her integral," further emphasizes the woman's importance. The word "integral" suggests that she is essential, yet the line's negative construction once again creates a dissonance between the woman's perceived significance and her actual worth to the man.
The third line, "Seems to me idle, feeble, and sentimental," is a harsh critique of the idea that the woman is integral to the man. The use of "idle" implies a lack of purpose or usefulness, while "feeble" suggests a weakness or insignificance. The word "sentimental" is particularly interesting, as it implies a romantic or emotional attachment that is not reciprocated.
The fourth line, "As well might you say his body and hers," continues this theme of negation, suggesting that the man and woman are not connected in any meaningful way. The use of "as well might" creates a sense of absurdity, emphasizing the idea that any connection between the two is impossible.
The fifth line, "Are not, on intimacy's terms, interchangeable," continues this theme of disconnection. The use of "intimacy" suggests a closeness or connection that is not present, while "interchangeable" implies a lack of uniqueness or individuality.
Finally, the sixth line, "Each has her entity, though they rhyme," brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the idea that the man and woman are separate entities. The use of "rhyme" suggests a similarity or harmony between the two, yet the phrase "each has her entity" reinforces their individuality.
Themes
One of the main themes present in Nor We Of Her To Him is that of disconnection. The poem emphasizes the idea that the man and woman are not connected in any meaningful way, and that any perceived connection is superficial at best. This theme is reinforced through the repetition of negation and the use of harsh language to describe the woman's supposed importance.
Another theme present in the poem is that of individuality. The final line emphasizes the idea that both the man and woman are separate entities, with their own unique qualities and characteristics. This theme is reinforced through the use of "each" and "her entity," which creates a sense of individuality and autonomy.
Interpretation
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of traditional gender roles and expectations. The poem suggests that the woman's value is often overestimated, and that she is not actually as important to the man as society may lead us to believe. This interpretation is reinforced through the use of harsh language to describe the woman's supposed importance, and the emphasis on the man and woman's separate entities.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the nature of relationships. The poem emphasizes the idea that true connection between two people is rare, and that often what is perceived as connection is actually superficial. This interpretation is reinforced through the repetition of negation and the use of dissonant language to describe the man and woman's supposed connection.
Conclusion
Overall, Nor We Of Her To Him is a beautifully complex poem that explores themes of disconnection and individuality. Through the use of negation and harsh language, the poem critiques traditional gender roles and expectations, while also commenting on the nature of relationships. While the poem may appear simple on the surface, its true complexity lies beneath, waiting to be discovered and explored.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a medium that allows the writer to convey their message in a creative and unique way. One such poem that stands out in the world of poetry is "Nor We Of Her To Him" by Stevie Smith. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. In this article, we will delve into the poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem "Nor We Of Her To Him" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that was written by Stevie Smith in 1938. The poem is a conversation between two people, a man and a woman, who are discussing their relationship. The woman is trying to explain to the man that she loves him, but he does not understand her feelings. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it easy to understand and relate to.
The first line of the poem, "Nor we of her to him, nor him to her," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The line suggests that there is a disconnect between the two people in the relationship. They are not able to understand each other's feelings and emotions. The use of the word "nor" emphasizes the lack of connection between the two.
The second line of the poem, "But only they, mutual, oblivious," further emphasizes the lack of connection between the two people. The use of the word "mutual" suggests that both parties are equally responsible for the lack of understanding. The word "oblivious" suggests that they are unaware of each other's feelings and emotions.
The third line of the poem, "Of love's reciprocal hierarchy," introduces the theme of love. The line suggests that there is a hierarchy in love, and the two people in the relationship are not on the same level. The use of the word "reciprocal" suggests that love should be mutual, but in this case, it is not.
The fourth line of the poem, "Nor aught between one another's eyes," suggests that the two people in the relationship are not able to communicate with each other. They are not able to look into each other's eyes and understand each other's feelings. The use of the word "aught" emphasizes the lack of communication between the two.
The fifth line of the poem, "Save that the looker-on will say," introduces the idea of an outsider looking in on the relationship. The line suggests that there is someone else who is observing the relationship and can see the disconnect between the two people. The use of the word "looker-on" suggests that this person is not involved in the relationship but is merely observing it.
The sixth line of the poem, "He looks at her, and thinks he knows," suggests that the man in the relationship thinks he understands the woman's feelings. However, the use of the word "thinks" suggests that he is mistaken. He does not truly understand her feelings and emotions.
The seventh line of the poem, "He looks at her, and thinks he knows," suggests that the woman in the relationship is trying to explain her feelings to the man. However, the use of the word "vain" suggests that her efforts are futile. The man is not able to understand her feelings, no matter how hard she tries to explain them.
The eighth line of the poem, "Nor she to him, nor he to her," repeats the first line of the poem. The repetition emphasizes the lack of connection between the two people in the relationship.
The ninth line of the poem, "And we, with whom does dwell the blame," suggests that there is someone to blame for the lack of connection between the two people. The use of the word "dwell" suggests that the blame is present and cannot be ignored.
The tenth line of the poem, "Deny it as we will, remain the same," suggests that the lack of connection between the two people will remain the same, no matter how much they deny it. The use of the word "deny" suggests that the two people are in denial about the state of their relationship.
The poem "Nor We Of Her To Him" explores the theme of love and the complexities of human relationships. The poem suggests that there is a disconnect between the two people in the relationship, and they are not able to understand each other's feelings and emotions. The use of repetition emphasizes the lack of connection between the two people. The poem also introduces the idea of an outsider looking in on the relationship, which suggests that there is someone else who can see the disconnect between the two people.
In terms of literary devices, the poem uses repetition to emphasize the lack of connection between the two people. The use of the word "nor" in the first and eighth lines of the poem emphasizes the lack of connection. The use of the word "thinks" in the sixth line of the poem suggests that the man is mistaken about his understanding of the woman's feelings. The use of the word "vain" in the seventh line of the poem suggests that the woman's efforts to explain her feelings are futile.
In conclusion, "Nor We Of Her To Him" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships. The poem suggests that there is a disconnect between the two people in the relationship, and they are not able to understand each other's feelings and emotions. The use of repetition and literary devices emphasizes the lack of connection between the two people. The poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
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