Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "The Boys, The Broom Handle, and The Retarded Girl" is a harrowing exploration of cruelty, complicity, and the dehumanizing effects of societal norms. The poem confronts the reader with a scenario that is both deeply unsettling and reflective of the darker aspects of human behavior, particularly how those who are vulnerable are often exploited and shamed by those who hold power over them.

The poem begins with a question that immediately places the reader into a scene of judgment and accusation: "Who was asking for it—". This phrase is loaded with the implication that the victim is somehow responsible for her own victimization, a toxic rationale often used to excuse or diminish the severity of abuse. The ambiguity of who is asking this question implicates both the legal system, represented by the "formal courtroom," and society at large, which too often blames victims rather than holding perpetrators accountable.

The courtroom, described with its "coarse flag draped / Across the wall like something on a stage," is depicted as a place of performance rather than justice. The flag, a symbol of authority and patriotism, becomes a backdrop to the proceedings, highlighting the dissonance between the ideals it represents and the reality of what is happening. The courtroom setting evokes the institutional power structures that often fail to protect the vulnerable, instead perpetuating cycles of victimization and blame.

The girl at the center of this scene is depicted in a way that emphasizes her vulnerability and desperation to please: "Chews on a wisp of hair, / Holds down the knee / That tries to creep under her chin, / Picks at a flake of skin, anxious / And eager to please this scowling man / And the rest of them, if she only can—". These details paint a picture of someone who is nervous, uncomfortable, and out of place in this environment—someone who is being scrutinized and judged, and who is trying to navigate a situation far beyond her control or understanding. The girl's gestures, such as chewing her hair and picking at her skin, suggest a childlike innocence and an attempt to self-soothe in a hostile environment.

Her response to the questioning—"I cared for them, they were my friends"—reveals the tragic misunderstanding at the heart of the abuse. The girl believed that the boys were her friends, unaware that their actions were anything but friendly. This line highlights the innocence and trust that the girl had, which was exploited by those around her. The contrast between her genuine affection and the boys' betrayal is heartbreaking, underscoring the deep sense of betrayal and the cruelty of those who took advantage of her.

The boys, described as boasting "Wow, what a sicko," after the event, exemplify the callousness and lack of empathy that can emerge in group dynamics, especially when targeting someone perceived as different or weaker. Their boasting is a way of asserting power, a means of feeling "worthwhile" at the expense of another's dignity. The poem critiques this need for validation through cruelty, suggesting that it is a pervasive aspect of human nature, one that society often overlooks or tacitly condones.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful in their indictment of society's complicity: "As without thinking we might touch for luck / That flag they've hung there, though we'd all avoid / Touching the girl." The act of touching the flag "for luck" is a metaphor for the superficial gestures of patriotism or morality that people engage in without truly confronting the underlying injustices in their society. The reluctance to "touch the girl" symbolizes the broader societal tendency to distance oneself from the victims of abuse, to avoid acknowledging their humanity, and to ignore their suffering. In doing so, society perpetuates the conditions that allow such abuse to occur in the first place.

"The Boys, The Broom Handle, and The Retarded Girl" is a searing critique of how society treats its most vulnerable members. Through its stark imagery and unflinching portrayal of cruelty and complicity, the poem forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truths about power, abuse, and the ways in which societal norms often protect the perpetrators rather than the victims. Ostriker's poem serves as a powerful reminder of the need for empathy, accountability, and a willingness to challenge the systems that perpetuate such harm.

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