'Women' by Louise Bogan
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Women have no wilderness in them,
They are provident instead,
Content in the tight hot cell of their hearts
To eat dusty bread.
They do not see cattle cropping red winter grass,
They do not hear
Snow water going down under culverts
Shallow and clear.
They wait, when they should turn to journeys,
They stiffen, when they should bend.
They use against themselves that benevolence
To which no man is friend.
They cannot think of so many crops to a field
Or of clean wood cleft by an axe.
Their love is an eager meaninglessness
Too tense or too lax.
They hear in any whisper that speaks to them
A shout and a cry.
As like as not, when they take life over their door-sill
They should let it go by.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Women by Louise Bogan: A Critique and Interpretation
Louise Bogan's poem 'Women' is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that explores the complexity of female identity in the modern world. Written in the early 20th century, at a time when women's social roles were still limited and constrained, the poem presents a multifaceted view of femininity, one that is both celebratory and critical. In this critique and interpretation, we will explore the major themes and symbols of the poem, examine its structure and language, and ultimately, seek to understand the message that Bogan is conveying through her rich and nuanced verse.
Overview
At its core, 'Women' is a poem about the struggle for self-realization and independence that many women experience in a patriarchal society. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which presents a different perspective on women's identity and experience.
In the first stanza, Bogan describes women as beings of great power and mystery, whose inner lives are hidden beneath their outward appearance. She writes:
Women have no wilderness in them,
They are provident instead,
Content in the tight hot cell of their hearts
To eat dusty bread.
Here, Bogan is suggesting that women's lack of a 'wilderness' is not a deficiency but a strength. Women may seem ordinary and unremarkable on the surface, but this is because they are focused on practical concerns, such as nourishing themselves and those around them. However, beneath their domestic exterior lies a vast and mysterious inner world, one that is not easily accessible to others.
In the second stanza, Bogan shifts her focus to the physical aspect of femininity, highlighting the beauty and sensuality of women's bodies. She writes:
Often a woman, when she is turning forty,
Will gaze at herself in a sudden terror of abandonment
In mirrors of subway stations
Stepping back involuntarily to show herself
Erect, proud, and amazed by seventy years.
Here, Bogan is suggesting that women's bodies are a source of both pride and anxiety. While women are often praised for their youthful beauty and sexuality, they are also acutely aware of the inevitability of aging and the loss of this beauty. The reference to the subway station mirrors also suggests that women are constantly being scrutinized and judged by others, and that their self-image is influenced by these external factors.
In the third stanza, Bogan explores the theme of motherhood and the sacrifices that women make for their children. She writes:
They are wakened by children,
Every 2 a.m. they hear
The hitching breaths, the door
Of the darkened nursery,
And the ticking clock.
Here, Bogan is highlighting the role of women as caregivers and nurturers, and the constant demands that motherhood places on them. The ticking clock can be seen as a symbol of the passage of time and the sense of urgency that women feel in fulfilling their maternal duties.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Bogan returns to the theme of women's inner lives and the struggle for self-expression. She writes:
Women have no wilderness in them,
They are desk-bound,
Checkers of cloth and of bottoms and faces and dishes,
But diligent scholarship and some
Knowledge of the world would move their minds to poetry
And their hearts to passion.
Here, Bogan is suggesting that women's domestic and maternal roles can be stifling and limiting, but that education and creativity can offer a way out of this confinement. By suggesting that women's minds can be moved to poetry and their hearts to passion, Bogan is asserting that women have the potential for great intellectual and emotional depth, but that this potential is often suppressed by societal expectations.
Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Bogan uses a variety of symbols to convey her message about women's identity and experience. One of the most prominent symbols is the wilderness, which is mentioned twice in the poem. In the first stanza, Bogan writes that women have no wilderness in them, while in the fourth stanza, she suggests that women's minds can be moved to poetry by diligent scholarship and some knowledge of the world. This juxtaposition of the wilderness and the scholarly pursuit of poetry suggests that women's inner lives are akin to a wilderness, a place of great potential and mystery, but one that requires cultivation and exploration in order to be fully realized.
Another prominent symbol in the poem is the ticking clock, which appears in the third stanza. This symbol represents the passage of time and the sense of urgency that women feel in fulfilling their maternal duties. The ticking clock can be seen as a reminder of the finite nature of life and the importance of making the most of one's time.
Structure and Language
Bogan's use of language and structure is crucial to the poem's impact and meaning. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines, and each with a distinct focus on a particular aspect of women's experience. The use of this structure creates a sense of progression and development, as the poem moves from a focus on women's inner lives to their physical bodies, to their role as mothers, and finally, to their potential for intellectual and emotional growth.
Bogan's language is also carefully chosen to convey the complexity and nuance of women's experience. She uses simple, direct language to describe women's practical concerns, such as eating dusty bread and checking cloth and dishes. However, she also uses more poetic and abstract language to describe women's inner lives, such as the reference to the wilderness and the suggestion that women's minds can be moved to poetry. This contrast creates a sense of depth and complexity, as the reader is presented with a multifaceted view of femininity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Women' is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexity of women's identity and experience. Through its use of symbols, structure, and language, the poem presents a nuanced and multifaceted view of femininity, one that is both celebratory and critical. Ultimately, the poem suggests that women have the potential for great intellectual and emotional depth, but that this potential is often suppressed by societal expectations. By highlighting these issues and presenting them in such a beautiful and thought-provoking way, Bogan has created a work of literature that is both timeless and timely, and that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Louise Bogan's poem "Women" is a classic piece of literature that explores the complexities of femininity. The poem is a celebration of women, their strength, and their resilience in the face of adversity. Bogan's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the multifaceted nature of women, and the struggles they face in a patriarchal society.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of womanhood. The first stanza focuses on the physical beauty of women. Bogan describes women as "slender, supple, and strong," highlighting their physical strength and agility. She also notes the beauty of their hair, their eyes, and their skin, emphasizing the sensuality and allure of women.
However, Bogan also acknowledges the limitations that society places on women's physical beauty. She notes that women are often judged by their appearance, and that their beauty can be a source of both power and oppression. Bogan writes, "They are the first to learn / The trampled rose is the rose / And water is the sound of the silence before speech."
This line suggests that women are often silenced and oppressed, but that they have the strength to rise above these limitations and find their own voice. Bogan's use of the rose as a symbol of femininity is particularly powerful, as it represents both beauty and fragility.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the emotional and psychological aspects of womanhood. Bogan writes, "They are the ones who sing / When the spirit is bruised and the body is sick." This line highlights the emotional strength of women, and their ability to find joy and beauty even in the darkest of times.
Bogan also notes the importance of community and connection for women. She writes, "They are the ones who nurture / And they are the ones who know / The secret places where the sunken gardens grow." This line suggests that women have a deep understanding of the inner workings of the world, and that they are able to create beauty and growth even in the most difficult of circumstances.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it addresses the political and social struggles that women face. Bogan writes, "They are the ones who wait / While the men work and fight." This line acknowledges the ways in which women are often excluded from positions of power and influence, and are forced to wait for change to come from those in power.
However, Bogan also notes that women have the power to create change themselves. She writes, "They are the ones who have learned / To deal with necessity / And the sad manias of men." This line suggests that women have the strength and resilience to navigate the challenges of a patriarchal society, and to create change from within.
Overall, Bogan's poem "Women" is a powerful celebration of femininity and the strength of women. Through her use of language and imagery, Bogan creates a vivid picture of the multifaceted nature of women, and the struggles they face in a patriarchal society. The poem is a call to action, urging women to find their voice and to create change in the world. It is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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