Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Rita Dove's poem "The Venus of Willendorf" offers a richly textured narrative that interweaves themes of identity, objectification, cultural perception, and the personal impact of art and history. The poem is structured as a meditation from the perspective of a young black woman visiting Austria, specifically the site near where the famous Venus of Willendorf, a Paleolithic figurine, was discovered. Through her interactions and reflections, Dove explores how historical and cultural artifacts influence contemporary identities and perceptions.

The poem begins by setting the scene with the protagonist looking out over a valley from a workbench, early in the morning, introducing a tranquil, almost idyllic setting that contrasts sharply with the undercurrents of tension and otherness that permeate her experience. The reference to Paul Celan at the beginning—"Let your eye be a candle in a chamber, your gaze a knife; let me be blind enough to ignite it"—sets a tone of intense observation and transformative seeing, suggesting that vision and perception will be central themes.

As the poem unfolds, it reveals that the protagonist was brought to Austria as part of a cultural exchange, marked as an "exotic" among other foreign students. Her immediate introduction to the local community involves a visit to see a replica of the Venus of Willendorf at a tavern, where the innkeeper is fascinated not just by the artifact but by her presence—a "live black girl." This juxtaposition of her living presence against the ancient, celebrated figurine underscores the poem's exploration of how bodies and physical forms are seen and valued differently across contexts and histories.

The innkeeper's reaction to both the protagonist and the Venus figurine reveals a deep-seated objectification and commodification. He expresses a wish that the original Venus had been kept locally to attract global attention, mirroring his fascination with the protagonist's physical appearance, which he compares to the Venus's exaggerated female forms. This comparison forces the protagonist to become painfully aware of her own body as an object of scrutiny and exoticism, feeling her "own breasts settle and the ripening predicament of hip and thigh."

As the narrative continues, it delves into a personal encounter on the veranda with a male professor, who confides in her about his aging, specifically mentioning his white pubic hair. This unexpected intimacy and the protagonist's reaction to it—feeling both shock and a thrill—further complicate the themes of visibility, intimacy, and the boundaries between personal and impersonal interactions.

Toward the end of the poem, Dove contrasts the objectified and idealized form of the Venus figurine with the real, unidealized presence of the professor's wife, who appears worn and unnoticed. The protagonist reflects on the professor's wife's appearance and presence, suggesting a shared, though silent, acknowledgment of each other's overlooked femininity and humanity.

The closing lines of the poem bring these themes to a poignant resolution. The protagonist realizes that what made the Venus of Willendorf beautiful was not just her form but the loving attention of her creator—"how the carver's hand had loved her, that visible caress." This realization shifts the focus from how women are seen to how they are understood and appreciated, suggesting a deeper form of seeing that involves empathy and connection.

"The Venus of Willendorf" thus becomes a profound meditation on seeing and being seen, the power of historical artifacts to shape contemporary identities, and the deep need for human connections that transcend objectification and superficial gaze. Dove masterfully uses the setting, historical context, and the protagonist's introspective journey to explore these complex themes, leaving the reader with a sense of the enduring power of empathy and understanding in shaping our perceptions of beauty and worth.

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