Margaret+Atwood

Margaret Atwood

//9. You Fit Into Me// The title of the poems has a strong romantic, sensual connotation. But when the reader reads the poem, they realize that is not what the poem is about at all. The speaker describes heartache within the four lines. Saying 'you fit into me' like a 'fish hook' into 'an open eye.'

//10. Habitation// //Habitation// takes on a cynical view of marriage. The speaker says marriage is 'colder' than 'a house or even a tent,' and is surprised at 'having survived even this far.' The speaker draws the readers away from the fantasy perfect marriage that is normally projected, instead introduces a more realistic situation. The last line of the poem, 'we are learning to make fire,' as a metaphor for the couples attempt to restore the spark between them.

//11. A Visit// *Revolves around memories and constant changes, and perhaps it is difficult to let go of the past. *The first three stanzas talks about the days that are 'gone,' and memories are 'no friend' because they only tell you of 'what you no longer have.' The speaker proposes that there is no point in looking into the past, because they are gone, and 'only one day remains, the one you're in.' *The speaker may be talking about loss, and the person she is addressing is having a hard time letting go. The days 'when you could walk' are gone, and there is only 'one hand that still works.' Yet, this one hand 'grips, won't let go.' *Rusting and disintegration of the past. Unused tools such as 'awl' and 'rasp' reduces to sullen metal.

//12. Is/Not// //* //The poem juxtaposes something wild and formless such as 'love' and 'sex' with 'dentistry' and 'medical concern' which represents precision and caution. *The speaker is speaking to someone who is trying to be her 'doctor' and 'cure,' someone who seems to have authority over the speaker. *'permit yourself anger, and permit mine' This line further demonstrate the dominance in the relationship, it also characterizes the authoritative figure as someone who is very controlling and uptight about showing their emotions. *The speaker asks the authoritative figure to permit her 'present tense.' This can mean two things, to allow her to live in the present and live 'now' to the fullest. Or it could be her asking for the figure to give permission to her to show the anger she is experiencing at the moment.