you fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
-Margaret Atwood
This super short poem makes me want to go and watch the sunset. . . Weird, I know. Maybe I just have spring fever? :)
At first, Margaret Atwood seems to be writing a love poem. Kind of like, "We belong together: we're the perfect fitting puzzle pieces." But then the reader realizes that a hook and an eye normally don't go together. At this point, the second stanza is read, and you realize that sarcasm and misinterpretation can be a powerful thing.
I thought this poem to be one of those situations where through sarcasm and passive agressive-ness, it gets the point across. I imagine Atwood telling this other person how fitting their relationship is ... in the most non-fitting way. That doesn't really make sense.
Okay, it's like if someone were to say, "That was the most compassionate thing you've ever said to me ... you actually didn't make me feel completely worthless this time." It totally reminds me of a breakup letter too. Haha :)
The beginning makes you think that it's a poem that's going to be sincere and loving, but it turns out to be so deceiving and bitter. Tricky, Ms. Atwood. Basically, Atwood is saying this relationship isn't meant to be.
A fish hook
in an open eye
Describing this relationship in such a painful (literally) way, it connects the reader in feeling emotion towards the poem -- whether it's sympathy towards Atwood or towards themselves. I also feel like Atwood is insulting the person:
"Oh haha. You're totally the best person ever ... if everyone else on this planet didn't exist."
Catch my drift? :)
I like this poem. It's so short, with only 5 lines, and two stanza's, but I think Margaret Atwood did this to keep the focus straight and to make the turning point have a bite to it. by making this poem so short, it makes the poem feel so exposed and so raw -- and I really like that it.
P.S Regina Spektor wrote a song where she mentions Margaret Atwood and Virginia Woolf. I kept singing that song while I did this blog. :)
"I also feel like Atwood is insulting the person:
ReplyDelete'Oh haha. You're totally the best person ever ... if everyone else on this planet didn't exist.'"
This made me laugh! I agree! She's totally playing with this person!
I catch your drift. Haha Spring fever took my mind to when I first read this. I just thought that some people are weird and show their affection in odd, mean ways. Your blog has deffinatly helped me see the sarcasm. I almost find this humerous! :) Good job!
ReplyDeleteI think she is totally playing with whoever it is she loves. Good take on it. Have you heard of a hook and eye closure? That may change your thoughts a little. I did not know Regina Spektor talked about Atwood! Nice addition! :)
ReplyDeleteKayla -- Haha! Thanks! That was my initial thought when I read this poem, but now I'm not sure if that's really what it was talking about, haha. But I'm glad you agree with me:)
ReplyDeleteToni - SPRING FEVERR!!!! :D I can see that now! I never caught the clothing :hook and eye" reference, and it totally makes sense about people showing affection differently. Thank you for your thoughts! :)
Mrs. White - Yeahh! I don't know why I didn't think of it before! A hook and eye closer! Gosh, it's so obvious now, haha. A hook and eye is a perfect comparison of something that fits together, and it leads the reader in a different direction? And then the second stanza reveals that the hook and eye aren't a part of the closure..? Interesting! :) Thanks, Mrs. White! :)
It's the juxtaposition or irony that she's going for. :)
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