Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marilyn Hacker's "Gerda in the Eyrie" is a deeply introspective and evocative poem that reimagines a scene from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen." By adopting the perspective of Gerda, Hacker delves into themes of fear, desire, and identity, creating a rich and layered narrative that explores the complexity of human emotions and relationships.

The poem opens with a direct reference to Andersen's tale, where Gerda lies awake, unable to sleep while the robber girl slumbers with her arm around her neck. This physical closeness, laden with tension and vulnerability, sets the stage for the intricate exploration of Gerda's internal landscape. Hacker captures Gerda’s sense of unease and awareness, highlighting the physical discomfort ("prickly-bladdered") and the strange familiarity of the robber girl's presence.

Hacker skillfully uses sensory imagery to convey the intensity of Gerda's emotions. The description of the robber girl's breath, "fresher than the straw," and the tactile detail of her skin being both "strange" and "familiar" evoke a visceral response. This duality of fear and attraction is further emphasized when Gerda experiences vertigo, a metaphor for the overwhelming pull she feels toward the robber girl.

The poem delves into the dynamics of female relationships, exploring themes of comparison and desire. Gerda's reflection on the robber girl's body—her "corded shoulders" and "brown new breasts"—reveals a mixture of admiration and self-awareness. The line "A girl looks at another girl's breasts covertly, thinking, we should be alike, we are the same kind. But we are not." encapsulates the tension between similarity and difference, unity and individuality.

Gerda's fear is not just of the robber girl but of the broader world and its dangers. Hacker paints a vivid picture of Gerda's upbringing, filled with warnings about "strange men, sudden noises, groups of men in the square." This fear, ingrained from childhood, contrasts with the sense of safety she feels when alone with the robber girl, despite the initial trepidation.

The poem explores Gerda's identity and her struggle with societal expectations. She reflects on her childhood, where she played at being a general and dressed dolls, embodying both strength and traditional femininity. This duality is central to her internal conflict, as she navigates her role as a "sinewy small girl" who was indulged and protected yet also expected to conform.

Hacker’s use of the first-person narrative allows for a deep, personal insight into Gerda's thoughts and emotions. The stream-of-consciousness style captures the immediacy of her reflections, blending past and present, fear and desire. The interspersed dialogue with the robber girl, though she remains asleep, adds to the intimacy and urgency of Gerda's musings.

The poem’s culmination in Gerda’s realization of her desires and fears—"I don't think I'm afraid of you, though I should be, but I can't sleep, here"—highlights the complexity of her emotions. The final lines, where Gerda contemplates waking the robber girl to talk or play a game, reveal her longing for connection and understanding. This longing is juxtaposed with the physical reality of the robber girl’s arm around her, symbolizing both a protective embrace and a potential constraint.

"Gerda in the Eyrie" is a powerful exploration of the intricacies of human emotions and relationships. Hacker’s use of rich, sensory imagery and introspective narrative invites readers into Gerda’s inner world, offering a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of her journey toward self-understanding and acceptance. The poem beautifully captures the tension between fear and desire, the familiar and the strange, creating a resonant and thought-provoking reimagining of Andersen’s tale.

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