Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton’s "Fictions of the Feminine: Quasi-Carnal Creatures from the Cloud Decks of Venus" is a striking and multi-layered exploration of femininity, identity, and the harsh realities of life in the world of sex work. The poem is divided into three distinct sections, each offering a unique perspective on the lives and experiences of women in this realm. Through vivid imagery, raw honesty, and a keen eye for detail, Fulton delves into the complex dynamics of power, vulnerability, and survival.

I. The Cocktail Waitress

The first section introduces us to a cocktail waitress who navigates the challenging and often demeaning environment of her workplace. She begins her day with a routine that includes putting on makeup, taking stimulants, and praying at church—a ritual that juxtaposes the sacred with the profane. The waitress's prayer for "the creeps with bucks to burn" and the dancers who "throw their legs / over strangers' shoulders" highlights her empathy and sense of camaraderie with her fellow workers, despite the degrading circumstances they endure.

Fulton paints a vivid picture of the nightclub scene with its "magenta spotlight" and "glitzy reptilian globe," creating an atmosphere that is both garish and surreal. The description of "Stone freaks, diddlers, Raincoat / Charlies" underscores the predatory nature of the clientele, while the waitress's disdain for the silicone-enhanced dancers reveals her internal conflict. She both pities and resents the women who mutilate themselves in pursuit of a better life, dreaming of a "Sugar / Daddy" who will rescue them from their purgatory.

The waitress's musings on the dancers' delusions of salvation are tinged with bitterness and irony. She compares their hopes to the beliefs of "Aztec victims" who thought they would be reborn as hummingbirds or butterflies, suggesting a tragic futility in their aspirations.

II. The Paralyzed Client

In the second section, the perspective shifts to a paralyzed client who frequents the strip club. His visits are driven by a desire to replace thought with sensation, seeking an escape from his physical and emotional confinement. The client views the dancers with a clinical detachment, likening them to "scavenger eels eating up dead / rivers." His background as the son of a pathologist who showed him slides of atrophied muscle informs his cold, scientific gaze.

The client harbors a deep resentment for both the other patrons and the dancers, whom he perceives as manipulative and deceitful. His plans to acquire a power-driven chair and wreak havoc in the club reveal a vengeful streak, underscoring his frustration and impotence. The imagery of "shellcrackers, live / ammo" suggests a desire for violent retribution, reflecting his inner turmoil and the dehumanizing effects of his condition.

III. The Stripper

The final section focuses on a stripper who reflects on the constructed narratives and identities imposed upon her by society. She imagines herself as "100 Pounds of Passion / from London's Mousetrap Lounge," a fabricated persona that underscores the performative nature of her work. The stripper’s thoughts on her craft reveal the meticulous planning and physical exertion involved in delivering a convincing performance. Her moves are compared to a "successful suicide," highlighting the precision and danger inherent in her line of work.

The stripper's observations about her colleagues—many of whom are lesbians—and the sick patrons who frequent the club reveal her disdain for both groups. Her remarks about the "fiberfill for minds, icicles for dicks" patrons speak to her contempt for their delusions of uniqueness and power.

The stripper maintains a level of detachment, preferring to keep the patrons at a distance and never engaging in floorwork that brings her to their eye level. Her ultimate act of rebellion and defiance is imagined as a performance in a skeleton suit, stripping down to "a string / of glowing bones." This macabre vision represents the stripping away of all pretense and the revelation of her true, indestructible self.

Conclusion

"Fictions of the Feminine: Quasi-Carnal Creatures from the Cloud Decks of Venus" is a powerful exploration of the multifaceted experiences of women in the world of sex work. Alice Fulton masterfully weaves together themes of exploitation, resilience, and identity, creating a tapestry that is both haunting and enlightening. Through the voices of the cocktail waitress, the paralyzed client, and the stripper, Fulton delves into the complexities of human desire, the impact of societal expectations, and the indomitable spirit of those who navigate these challenging realities.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...