Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Rat Song" by Margaret Atwood is a fiercely imaginative and provocative poem that delves into the perspectives and survival tactics of a rat living in close quarters with humans. Through the voice of the rat, Atwood explores themes of coexistence, misunderstanding, and the instinctual drive for survival and love in the face of adversity and hostility. This poem stands out for its sharp wit, dark humor, and the poignant commentary it offers on human-animal relationships, as well as on broader societal attitudes towards those deemed 'other' or undesirable.

The poem opens with the rat acknowledging the human's attempts to kill it, through both gunfire and poison, yet it also highlights the rat's cunning and resilience in evading death. The rat's act of urinating on the poison as a warning to others showcases not only its intelligence but also a sense of community and care among the rats, contradicting human perceptions of rats as mere pests.

The human's view of the rat as "too clever," "dangerous," and "ugly" despite the rat's description of its own physical attributes—fur, pretty teeth, six nipples, and snake tail—underscores the deep-seated prejudices and misconceptions that guide human actions. The rat's sarcastic longing for love from the human, who it mockingly calls a "stupid humanist," serves to highlight the absurdity and tragedy of the lack of empathy and understanding between species.

The rat's admission of living off human leftovers and making nests in their cupboards out of suits and underwear is delivered with a tone of defiance. It challenges the reader to consider the rat's perspective, driven by necessity and survival, and to question the arbitrary moral boundaries that dictate who has the right to resources and space.

Atwood's use of "crystal hatreds" to describe the rat's feelings towards the human encapsulates the clarity and intensity of the animosity that can arise from being hunted and marginalized. Yet, it's in the final lines that the poem reveals its most profound and unsettling insight: the rat's declaration of its desire for the human's throat, not out of malice, but because it perceives its mate to be trapped there, "hiding / between your syllables." This metaphorical assertion suggests a deeper connection and shared essence between rat and human, obscured by the "greasy person voice" of humanity.

"Rat Song" is a masterful exploration of voice, identity, and the struggle for recognition and existence on the margins. Atwood's choice to give the rat a voice serves as a powerful literary device, forcing the reader to confront their own biases and to recognize the dignity and complexity of a creature often dismissed and vilified. The poem is a testament to Atwood's ability to probe the boundaries between the human and the non-human, inviting a reflection on empathy, cohabitation, and the often overlooked connections that bind all living beings.

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