Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Denise Duhamel’s poem "Clitoris," the poet pays tribute to Aminata Diop, a courageous woman who refused to undergo the traditional practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in her village in Mali. Through vivid and symbolic imagery, Duhamel celebrates the clitoris as a symbol of defiance, resilience, and feminine power.

The poem begins with the image of the clitoris as a "glistening comma," suggesting both its small size and its significance as a punctuation mark that interrupts and challenges the status quo. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the clitoris as a symbol of resistance and individuality.

As the poem progresses, Duhamel uses a series of metaphors to describe the clitoris, each one highlighting its potency and importance. It is likened to a "listening ear," suggesting its receptivity and sensitivity to pleasure. The comparison to a "tonsil magnificent" underscores its role in physical sensation and arousal, while also evoking the idea of vocal expression and agency.

The phrase "heart / flag" further emphasizes the clitoris as a symbol of courage and defiance. It represents a beacon of resistance against oppressive cultural norms and traditions, signaling a refusal to conform to harmful practices that seek to control and diminish women's bodies and sexuality.

The clitoris is then described as a "powerhouse nub," highlighting its role in sexual pleasure and arousal. This image reinforces the idea of the clitoris as a source of strength and vitality, capable of transcending cultural boundaries and empowering women to assert control over their own bodies and desires.

Finally, Duhamel compares the clitoris to various body parts associated with communication and expression, such as the "voice box" and "mighty red tongue." These metaphors suggest that the clitoris is not only a physical organ but also a symbol of female empowerment and agency, capable of speaking out against injustice and reclaiming autonomy over one's own body and sexuality.

In "Clitoris," Denise Duhamel celebrates the resilience and defiance of Aminata Diop and women like her who refuse to submit to oppressive practices like FGM. Through powerful imagery and metaphor, the poem honors the clitoris as a symbol of feminine power, pleasure, and resistance against cultural norms that seek to silence and control women's bodies.

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