Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"February" by Margaret Atwood is a richly textured poem that delves into the bleakness of winter while weaving in themes of domesticity, human nature, and the cyclical struggle for survival and renewal. Through vivid imagery and sharp wit, Atwood captures the essence of the month of February, presenting it as a time of existential reflection, marked by the mundane routines of life amidst the harsh Canadian winter. The poem oscillates between the darkly humorous and the profoundly insightful, revealing Atwood's keen observation of the natural world and human behavior.

The opening lines set the tone with a sardonic embrace of winter's demands: "Winter. Time to eat fat / and watch hockey." This straightforward declaration juxtaposes the primal need for sustenance and the modern pastime of watching hockey, grounding the reader in the cultural and biological rhythms of the season. The cat, described as "a black fur sausage with yellow / Houdini eyes," becomes a central figure, embodying the life force persisting through the cold. Its daily ritual of checking the narrator's vitality and demanding affection introduces a touch of warmth and humor into the winter landscape.

Atwood's description of the cat's breath and the territorial disputes marked by "some other tomcat, not yet a capon, has been spraying our front door," cleverly extends the theme of survival and dominance into the domestic sphere. The reference to snipping a few testicles as a solution to the problem reflects a pragmatic, if brutal, approach to managing nature's impulses, drawing a parallel to human society's own struggles with overpopulation and resource competition.

The poem then shifts to a broader contemplation of love and its consequences. The phrase "But it’s love that does us in" suggests that the emotional bonds and reproductive drives that compel us toward partnership and procreation are also sources of vulnerability and pain. The vivid imagery of famine lurking in the bedsheets and the windchill factor plunging reveals a world where external threats are ever-present, yet life insists on making its mark, driven by the basic principles of desire and survival.

February is personified as a month of "despair," with the striking image of a "skewered heart in the centre" evoking the commercial and romantic symbolism of Valentine's Day amidst the bleakness of the season. This contrast underscores the human tendency to seek connection and celebration even in the most desolate of times. Atwood's longing for French fries with vinegar is a tangible expression of craving and comfort, a simple pleasure that stands in defiance of the month's grimness.

The poem closes with a direct address to the cat, urging it to embody a "little optimism" and to banish death in favor of life and renewal. This concluding invocation serves as a call to action, not just for the cat but for all beings, to embrace the life principle and foster a sense of hope and regeneration. Atwood's command to "Make it be spring" is both an imperative and a plea, highlighting the human desire to transcend the limitations of the present moment and to herald the arrival of renewal and growth.

"February" encapsulates Margaret Atwood's mastery of language and her ability to infuse everyday moments with depth and significance. The poem is a meditation on the cycles of life and death, the complexities of love and survival, and the enduring quest for meaning amidst the stark realities of existence. Through the lens of a cold winter month, Atwood invites readers to reflect on the beauty and brutality of the natural world and our place within it, urging us towards resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...