Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Their Attitudes Differ" by Margaret Atwood is a sharp and incisive exploration of the complexities and disparities in human relationships, particularly in the context of love and understanding. Through a series of vignettes, Atwood contrasts the analytical and detached approach of one individual with the fearful and cautious stance of the other, highlighting the challenges of intimacy and connection.

In the first section, Atwood sets the stage for a relationship characterized by avoidance and a reluctance to truly understand one another. The metaphorical language, with one person suspending their "search for germs" if the other refrains from probing the "microfilm hidden inside my skin," vividly captures the mutual defense mechanisms that prevent genuine intimacy. This imagery suggests a guardedness and a reluctance to reveal one's true self, equating emotional vulnerability with a form of espionage or intrusion.

The second section further develops this theme through the juxtaposition of scientific detachment with the desperation of a fugitive. One partner approaches love "like a biologist," clinical and removed, shielded by "rubber gloves & white labcoat," while the other reacts with the panic of "an escaped political prisoner." This stark contrast underscores the emotional distance between the partners, with one seeking to dissect and analyze love as an object of study, and the other fleeing from it as a threat to their freedom or safety.

The final section brings the poem to a chilling conclusion, as the exchange between the partners reveals a profound lack of empathy and connection. The speaker's response to a plea for love with "only descriptions" and a cold wish for the other's death "so I can write about it" exposes a deep-seated inability to engage emotionally. This detachment, where the other is seen more as a subject for analysis or artistic inspiration than a partner to be cherished and understood, highlights the ultimate failure of the relationship to provide mutual support or genuine intimacy.

Atwood's use of vivid imagery and contrasting perspectives in "Their Attitudes Differ" skillfully illustrates the emotional barriers that can arise in relationships, where fear, self-protection, and a desire for control hinder the development of true understanding and connection. The poem invites reflection on the ways in which individuals navigate the vulnerabilities of love, often resorting to defense mechanisms that, while intended to protect, ultimately isolate and divide. Through its concise yet powerful narrative, Atwood challenges readers to consider the complexities of intimacy and the human longing for connection amidst the fear of exposure and loss.

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