Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Sharon Olds' poem "The Day They Tied Me Up" presents a complex narrative that juxtaposes physical restraint with emotional liberation. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflection, the poem explores themes of control, defiance, and the interplay between physical and psychological experiences.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the physical experience of being tied to a chair. The description of the sash as "soft" and "blunt," akin to a "bandage," suggests a benign, almost comforting restraint. This choice of words sets a tone of ambivalence, as if the act of being tied up is not inherently harmful but rather a form of containment that has become familiar. The speaker's observation that the chair-seat leaves a mark, which they "loved," indicates an acceptance, even appreciation, of the physical world's ability to imprint on the body—a metaphor for how experiences shape identity.

As the narrative unfolds, the speaker recounts a day characterized by a lack of direct interaction—"no one touched me"—and describes the sensation of hunger as "quiet" and "edgeless." This restrained description underscores the day's "formal" nature, suggesting a controlled environment where emotions and desires are kept in check. The speaker's hunger, described as a "suckling in my stomach doubling," conveys a sense of growing but subdued need, paralleling the speaker's psychological state of subdued defiance.

The poem's emotional intensity sharpens with the introduction of the "black bottle" and the "India ink" that spills onto the bedspread. The ink, described as "the kind that does not come out," symbolizes a permanent mark, a transgression that cannot be undone. The speaker's description of feeling a "dark genie shape leave my chest" captures the release of pent-up emotions and a sense of liberation through this act of defiance. The speaker's identification with "Daphne halfway out of the wood" evokes the mythological figure transformed into a tree, emphasizing a state of partial escape and transformation.

Despite being tied up, the speaker experiences a "sharp pleasure" from the act of rebellion, the ink stain, and the subsequent events. The speaker's refusal to say "sorry" for their actions signifies a rejection of submission and an assertion of autonomy. The refusal is described as a departure from a former life, indicating a profound change in self-perception and values.

The narrative takes an unexpected turn when a woman, likely the speaker's mother or caretaker, enters with a bowl of hot alphabet soup. The act of spoon-feeding the speaker while they remain tied up introduces a maternal, nurturing element that contrasts with the earlier restraint. The poem poignantly captures the complexity of this moment, as the speaker derives "sharp pleasure" from the sensation of being fed while still bound, an act both submissive and empowering. The speaker's engagement with the "school of edible letters" in the soup, described as "reading with my tongue," transforms the meal into an act of intellectual and sensory exploration. The tactile experience of tasting and "reading" the letters reflects a deep engagement with the immediate moment, a way of asserting presence and agency even in a constrained situation.

The speaker's lack of remorse, conveyed by the line "and I wasn't sorry," underscores a steadfastness in their defiance. The woman's act of feeding the speaker, likened to offering food to an image, suggests a ritualistic acknowledgment of the speaker's autonomy and resolve. The poem concludes with a sense of triumphant self-discovery, as the speaker takes in the "mild discordant fuel" of the soup and continues to "decifer," embracing the complexity and ambiguity of their situation.

"The Day They Tied Me Up" explores the intricate dynamics of power, submission, and identity. Through its rich, sensory imagery and introspective tone, the poem delves into the paradoxes of control and freedom, illustrating how physical restraint can coexist with emotional and intellectual liberation. Olds masterfully captures the nuances of a transformative experience, where the constraints imposed by others become a catalyst for personal growth and defiance.

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