'1954' by Sharon Olds
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Then dirt scared me, because of the dirt
he had put on her face. And her training bra
scared me—the newspapers, morning and evening,
kept saying it, training bra,
as if the cups of it had been calling
the breasts up—he buried her in it,
perhaps he had never bothered to take it
off. They found her underpants
in a garbage can. And I feared the word
eczema, like my acne and like
the X in the paper which marked her body,
as if he had killed her for not being flawless.
I feared his name, Burton Abbott,
the first name that was a last name,
as if he were not someone specific.
It was nothing one could learn from his face.
His face was dull and ordinary,
it took away what I’d thought I could count on
about evil. He looked thin and lonely,
it was horrifying, he looked almost humble.
I felt awe that dirt was so impersonal,
and pity for the training bra,
pity and terror of eczema.
And I could not sit on my mother’s electric
blanket anymore, I began to have a
fear of electricity—
the good people, the parents, were going to
fry him to death. This was what
his parents had been telling us:
Burton Abbott, Burton Abbott,
death to the person, death to the home planet.
The worst thing was to think of her,
of what it had been to be her, alive,
to be walked, alive, into that cabin,
to look into those eyes, and see the human
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Editor 1 Interpretation
Analysis of Sharon Olds' Poem "1954"
Oh boy! Here we go with a literary analysis of Sharon Olds' "1954"! This is an exciting poem that delves into the complex relationships between family members and the struggles that come with growing up.
Summary
"1954" is a free verse poem that explores the speaker's relationship with her father. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the relationship. In the first section, the speaker recalls a memory of her father taking her for a ride on his motorcycle. She describes the experience in vivid detail, using sensory imagery to convey the thrill of the ride.
The second section of the poem takes a darker turn as the speaker describes her father's violent outbursts. She recalls a specific incident in which her father beats her mother and how she, as a child, tried to intervene. The speaker's mother is portrayed as submissive and helpless in the face of her husband's anger, adding to the sense of powerlessness and fear that permeates this section of the poem.
The final section of the poem is more introspective, as the speaker reflects on the legacy of her father's violence. She describes how his temper has affected her own relationships with men and how she struggles to overcome the fear and anger that she inherited from him.
Form and Structure
As I said earlier, "1954" is a free verse poem, which means it doesn't adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, Olds uses language and imagery to create a sense of rhythm and flow. Each section of the poem has a different tone and focus, but they are all connected by the central theme of the speaker's relationship with her father.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which is roughly the same length. This gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, which is fitting given the subject matter. The first section is more upbeat and optimistic, while the second section is darker and more confrontational. The final section is more introspective and reflective, tying the poem together thematically.
Themes and Symbolism
"1954" is a highly symbolic poem that deals with several themes, including family relationships, violence, and the legacy of trauma. The most obvious symbol in the poem is the motorcycle, which represents the thrill of adventure and the freedom that the speaker experiences with her father. However, the motorcycle can also be seen as a symbol of danger and recklessness, foreshadowing the violence and instability that the speaker experiences later in the poem.
Another important symbol in the poem is the father himself, who represents both the love and protection that parents are supposed to provide, as well as the fear and violence that can emerge from familial relationships. The mother is also a symbol, representing the effects of trauma and the ways in which women are often victimized and silenced by male violence.
Interpretation
"1954" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of family relationships and the ways in which trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next. The speaker's relationship with her father is both loving and violent, reflecting the conflicting emotions that children often feel towards their parents. The motorcycle ride is a moment of joy and excitement, but it is also a moment of danger and risk-taking.
The second section of the poem is particularly harrowing, as the speaker describes her father's violent outbursts and her mother's helplessness in the face of his rage. This section highlights the ways in which domestic violence can be perpetuated through generations and how it can have a lasting impact on those who witness it.
The final section of the poem is more introspective, as the speaker reflects on the legacy of her father's violence and how it has affected her own relationships with men. She describes the fear and anger that she inherited from him and how difficult it is to overcome these emotions. This section is a powerful reminder that trauma can have a lasting impact on individuals and that healing is a long and difficult process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "1954" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of family relationships and the legacy of trauma. Sharon Olds uses vivid language and imagery to create a sense of realism and emotional depth that is both moving and unsettling. The poem is a reminder that the effects of violence can be passed down through generations and that healing is a long and difficult process. Overall, "1954" is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience in all its complexity and nuance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sharon Olds' poem "1954" is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of societal norms on personal relationships. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Olds takes the reader on a journey through the narrator's childhood memories, revealing the ways in which her parents' marriage was shaped by the cultural expectations of the time.
The poem begins with a description of the narrator's parents' wedding day, which is portrayed as a joyous occasion filled with hope and promise. The bride is described as "a girl in white" who is "smiling and laughing" as she walks down the aisle, while the groom is "tall and handsome" and "proud as a peacock." The imagery here is bright and optimistic, suggesting that the couple is embarking on a new life together with a sense of excitement and possibility.
However, as the poem progresses, the tone shifts, and the reader begins to see the darker side of the couple's relationship. The narrator describes how her mother "cried all the way to the hotel" on their wedding night, suggesting that she was not entirely happy with the situation. The narrator also notes that her father "drank and smoked" and was "mean to her mother," indicating that their marriage was not as idyllic as it may have appeared on the surface.
The poem then takes a turn as the narrator describes her own childhood experiences growing up in this environment. She recalls how her mother would "hide in the kitchen" and "cry quietly," while her father would "yell and curse" and "throw things." The imagery here is stark and unsettling, painting a picture of a household filled with tension and conflict.
Despite this, the narrator also expresses a sense of love and loyalty towards her parents, describing how she would "curl up in her mother's lap" and "listen to her father's stories." This suggests that even in the midst of turmoil, there were moments of tenderness and connection between the family members.
As the poem draws to a close, the narrator reflects on the impact that her parents' marriage had on her own life. She notes that she "learned to be afraid" and "to keep quiet," suggesting that the trauma of her childhood has left a lasting impression on her. However, she also expresses a sense of resilience and determination, stating that she has "grown up strong" and "learned to speak up."
Overall, "1954" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of family relationships and the impact of societal norms on personal lives. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Olds captures the pain and struggle of growing up in a household filled with tension and conflict, while also highlighting the moments of love and connection that can exist even in the darkest of times. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.
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