Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Self-Employment, 1970," Natasha Trethewey explores the complexities and nuances of a woman's domestic life, focusing on the blend of professional and personal roles she assumes. By offering an intimate look at this woman's world, the poem foregrounds her resilience, creativity, and adaptability. These qualities are highlighted in her versatile engagement with her physical environment and her work, which turns out to be a vivid manifestation of her internal landscape.

The poem opens with a question: "Who to be today?" This isn't simply about choosing a hairstyle; it suggests the various roles the woman plays in her life, often simultaneously. The "natural human hair piled high" becomes a metaphor for the multiplicity of identities she can assume. As she contemplates "style after style," we get a sense of her flexibility and agency, even within the domestic space where she's "self-employed."

The element of choice continues to unfold as the poem moves to her workspace, where she is "pacing the cutting table, or pumping the stiff pedal of the bought-on-time Singer." Here, she's no longer just a woman contemplating hairstyles; she's a working individual, perhaps a seamstress, caught in the balance of her home-based occupation and the domesticity that surrounds it. The sewing machine, bought "on time," subtly adds a layer of economic reality, offering a glimpse into her financial independence and the pressures that accompany it.

Weather and nature also serve as crucial metaphors in the poem. The woman dresses "for the weather," which is described as "relentless sun, white heat." These descriptions suggest a harsh external environment, mirrored by the internal environment of her life, filled with challenges and complexities. The tree, a "mimosa," adds a layer of color and life but is "cut back for a child's swing set," symbolizing her sacrifice and adjustment for the sake of her family. Even so, its "whimsy of pink puffs" could imply an underlying resilience and beauty in her life.

As we get to "grandchildren," the poem portrays the generational evolution of her life responsibilities, now encompassed in "a frenzy of shouts, the constant slap of an old screen door." Yet, amid this chaos, there are her personal pleasures: jazz music from the radio "just above the noise," and a window air conditioning unit, "leaky at best." These details serve as small oases in her busy, multifaceted life.

In the concluding lines, "Sometimes she just stands still, lets ice water drip onto upturned wrists. Up under that wig, her head sweating, hot as an idea," the woman's physical actions mirror her psychological state. The image of "ice water" on her "upturned wrists" reflects a moment of respite and reflection, while her head, "hot as an idea," suggests the ever-active, ever-creative mind underneath the multiple roles and responsibilities she carries.

"Self-Employment, 1970" is a rich tapestry of a woman's life, capturing the demands and the dynamism inherent in her dual role as a homemaker and a worker. It's a poignant tribute to her ingenuity, offering a nuanced narrative that transcends societal roles to celebrate her individuality and complexity.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...