Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Women in American Literature: An Introduction: 3" by Martha Collins continues the thematic exploration of the series, delving deeper into the personal and collective narratives of women navigating through spaces of autonomy, memory, and desire. The poem intricately weaves together the internal and external landscapes that shape the protagonist's journey, employing vivid imagery and shifts in perspective to explore the complexities of identity and agency.

The poem begins with a woman waiting in a house "at the edge of the next state," a metaphorical threshold that suggests a liminal space between past and future, known and unknown. The house, with its "two white doors on two red slabs," symbolizes duality and unity, a place where separate paths converge into a singular, complex identity. The woman's act of rising and standing, framed in a doorway dimly lit, embodies her awakening or realization, poised on the brink of action or decision.

The narrator's attempt to engage with the woman is interrupted by the sudden presence of others, indicating the intrusion of external relationships and societal expectations on personal reflections and decisions. The dynamic within the car, with the narrator attempting to read while being distracted by a partner's touch, symbolizes the tension between intellectual pursuits and physical desires, between individuality and relational dynamics.

The mention of "Gil, the taker of hostages, fish" and "that snake in the garden" evokes biblical and mythological imagery, suggesting themes of temptation, knowledge, and the loss of innocence. These references enrich the narrative with layers of cultural and historical resonance, exploring the roles and perceptions that have historically confined or defined women.

The journey continues through a "green-hilled town" towards a bridge, a symbolic crossing from one state of being to another. The directive to "Let the women go" juxtaposes the notion of liberation with the paternalistic "Daddy's here," highlighting the conflict between autonomy and protection, liberation and control.

The protagonist's acknowledgment of the women who "knew what to do" and helped her see presents a moment of clarity and empowerment. The image of the swinging bridge across a gorge represents both the precariousness and possibility of crossing into new understandings or realms of existence. The "two-part house" and the lady who "knew too" further suggest the complexity of identity and the significance of thoughtful contemplation in navigating life's challenges.

As the poem concludes, the focus shifts to the narrator's internal struggle, attempting to reconcile the external distractions (the partner's hand, the landscape, the companions) with a quest for self-understanding and clarity. The repetition of "trying to think" amidst the sensory and emotional tumult underscores the ongoing struggle for coherence and agency in a world filled with contradictions and interruptions.

"Women in American Literature: An Introduction: 3" thus explores the intricate dance between self and other, between internal desires and external influences. Through its rich imagery and layered narrative, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of navigating identity, agency, and autonomy in a world that often seeks to define and constrain women's experiences and expressions.

POEM TEXT: https://capa.conncoll.edu/collins.space.htm#WOMEN

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