Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Hypocrite Women" is a candid and critical exploration of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the lives of women, particularly in how they navigate their internal and external worlds. The poem challenges societal norms and expectations of femininity, and it encourages women to confront and acknowledge their doubts and insecurities.

The poem opens with a direct address to "hypocrite women," immediately setting a tone of introspection and accusation. Levertov points out how women rarely speak of their own doubts, even as they support men in their moments of uncertainty. This discrepancy underscores the societal expectation for women to be nurturing and supportive, often at the expense of their own emotional honesty.

Levertov then transports the reader to Mill Valley, where the natural setting contrasts with the raw and provocative statement made by a "white sweating bull of a poet" who declares that women's genitalia are ugly. This moment is significant because it highlights the internalization of societal judgments about women's bodies. Levertov questions why women did not admit that they have thought the same, emphasizing the shame and silence surrounding women's perceptions of their own bodies. She confronts the reader with the reality that these parts of their bodies are "not for the eye" but hold intrinsic value beyond their appearance.

The poem continues to explore the physicality of women's bodies, describing their genitalia as "dark and wrinkled and hairy, / caves of the Moon." This imagery is both vivid and symbolic, linking women's bodies to natural, ancient, and powerful elements. The "caves of the Moon" suggests a hidden, mysterious, and profound aspect of femininity that is often overlooked or undervalued.

Levertov then shifts to the emotional and psychological realm, describing a "dark humming" and "coldness towards life" that women experience but rarely admit to. She critiques the societal pressure for women to conform to an ideal of constant warmth and nurturing, labeling any deviation from this as "unwomanliness." This section of the poem highlights the internal conflict women face in reconciling their true feelings with societal expectations.

The poem further delves into the ways women cope with these pressures, using the metaphor of playing with the "psychopomp," a figure who guides souls to the afterlife. This metaphor suggests that women engage in a kind of emotional and psychological negotiation with their darker, more complex feelings, but do not acknowledge these interactions openly. The frivolity with which they "pare" their dreams, "like toenails," and "clip" them "like ends of / split hair," underscores the trivialization and dismissal of their own aspirations and desires.

In "Hypocrite Women," Levertov presents a powerful critique of the ways women are conditioned to hide their doubts and conform to restrictive societal norms. The poem calls for a more honest and open acknowledgment of the full spectrum of women's experiences, from their physical bodies to their deepest emotions and dreams. Through her vivid imagery and candid language, Levertov encourages women to embrace their complexities and challenge the hypocrisies that have long constrained them.

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