'The Pact' by Sharon Olds
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We played dolls in that house where Father staggered with the
Thanksgiving knife, where Mother wept at noon into her one ounce of
cottage cheese, praying for the strength not to
kill herself. We kneeled over the
rubber bodies, gave them baths
carefully, scrubbed their little
orange hands, wrapped them up tight,
said goodnight, never spoke of the
woman like a gaping wound
weeping on the stairs, the man like a stuck
buffalo, baffled, stunned, dragging
arrows in his side. As if we had made a
pact of silence and safety, we kneeled and
dressed those tiny torsos with their elegant
belly-buttons and minuscule holes
high on the buttock to pee through and all that
darkness in their open mouths, so that I
have not been able to forgive you for giving your
daughter away, letting her go at
eight as if you took Molly Ann or
Tiny Tears and held her head
under the water in the bathinette
until no bubbles rose, or threw her
dark rosy body on the fire that
burned in that house where you and I
barely survived, sister, where we
swore to be protectors.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Pact by Sharon Olds: A Deep Dive into Emotion and Family Dynamics
When it comes to poetry, there are few names more renowned than Sharon Olds. The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet has been praised for her ability to tap into the raw emotions of life and transform them into stunning verse that resonates with readers around the world.
One of her most captivating works is The Pact, a poem that captures the complex and often tumultuous relationship between family members. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Pact to better understand its impact and significance.
First Impressions
The Pact is a relatively short poem, spanning just 20 lines. However, within those few lines, Olds manages to capture the essence of family dynamics in a way that is both poignant and thought-provoking.
The poem opens with a powerful image of two sisters standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out at the vast expanse of the ocean. This visual is immediately striking because it sets the tone for the rest of the poem: it's a metaphor for the precarious nature of family relationships.
As we move through the poem, we see how the relationship between the sisters is defined by conflict and tension, punctuated by moments of love and understanding. Olds does an excellent job of capturing the complexity of these emotions, which is what makes the poem so powerful.
Theme
At its core, The Pact is a poem about the power of familial bonds. It explores how siblings can both love and hate each other in equal measure, and how this dynamic can shape their lives and relationships.
The poem is also about the passage of time and how it can impact family relationships. The sisters in the poem make a pact to never hurt each other, but as time goes by, they inevitably betray that pact. Olds is reminding us that family relationships are complex and ever-changing, and that the things we promise each other in youth may not hold true in adulthood.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of The Pact is its imagery. Olds uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of tension and emotion throughout the poem.
The opening image of the sisters standing on a cliff, for example, is a powerful metaphor for the precarious nature of family relationships. The cliff represents the fragility of these relationships, and the ocean represents the endless possibility for both beauty and danger.
Other images, such as the "cracked branch" and the "bleeding berries," create a sense of unease and foreboding. These images foreshadow the struggles that the sisters will face in their relationship, and serve as a warning that things may not turn out as planned.
Language
The language used in The Pact is simple and direct, which is what makes it so effective. Olds doesn't waste words on flowery language or unnecessary metaphors. Instead, she uses short, declarative sentences to create a sense of urgency and emotion.
For example, when the sisters make their pact, Olds writes: "We promised to be careful." This simple sentence captures the essence of the sisters' relationship in just a few words. It's a reminder that sometimes the most powerful emotions can be expressed in the simplest language.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? What is Olds trying to say with The Pact?
At its core, The Pact is a poem about the complex nature of family relationships. Olds is reminding us that these relationships are never straightforward or easy, and that they can be defined by both love and hate.
The poem is also a warning that the things we promise each other in youth may not hold true in adulthood. The sisters make a pact to never hurt each other, but as time goes by, they inevitably betray that pact. This is a reminder that our relationships are constantly evolving, and that the things we promise each other may not be realistic or sustainable over time.
Ultimately, The Pact is a poem about the power of forgiveness and understanding. Despite the betrayals and conflicts that define the sisters' relationship, they still love each other deeply. Olds is reminding us that even in the most difficult of circumstances, there is always the potential for redemption and healing.
Conclusion
The Pact is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the complexity of family relationships. Olds uses vivid imagery and simple language to create a sense of tension and emotion that resonates with readers on a deep level.
At its core, The Pact is about the power of familial bonds and the complex emotions that define them. Olds reminds us that these relationships are never straightforward or easy, and that they can be defined by both love and hate.
Ultimately, The Pact is a reminder that even in the most difficult of circumstances, there is always the potential for forgiveness and healing. It's a message that is deeply touching and profoundly important, and it's one that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Pact by Sharon Olds is a classic poem that explores the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. This powerful piece of literature delves into the themes of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker, who is the daughter, describing a pact that she made with her mother. The pact is a promise that the daughter made to her mother to never have a child, and in return, her mother promised to never leave her. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker describes the pact as a "blood oath" that was made between them. This phrase is significant because it suggests that the pact was not just a verbal agreement, but a physical one that was sealed with blood.
The second stanza of the poem explores the reasons behind the pact. The speaker explains that her mother had a difficult life, and she did not want her daughter to experience the same hardships. The mother's love for her daughter is evident in her desire to protect her from the pain and suffering that she had endured. The daughter, on the other hand, agrees to the pact because she does not want to lose her mother. This is a common theme in many mother-daughter relationships, where the daughter feels a sense of dependence on her mother and fears being abandoned.
The third stanza of the poem is where the emotional intensity of the poem reaches its peak. The speaker describes a dream that she had, where she gave birth to a child. In the dream, the mother is present, but she is not happy. The daughter realizes that she has broken the pact, and she feels guilty for betraying her mother's trust. This dream is significant because it shows the internal conflict that the daughter is experiencing. She wants to have a child, but she also wants to keep her promise to her mother.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the daughter comes to terms with her decision. She realizes that she cannot keep the pact, and she decides to break it. The daughter's decision is a symbol of her growth and maturity. She understands that she cannot live her life based on a promise that she made when she was young. This decision is also a symbol of the daughter's love for her mother. She is willing to risk losing her mother's love and support in order to live her life on her own terms.
The final stanza of the poem is where the daughter reflects on the pact and its significance. She realizes that the pact was not just about having a child or not having a child. It was about the love and sacrifice that her mother had made for her. The daughter understands that her mother's love was unconditional, and that she would have supported her no matter what decision she made. The daughter also realizes that the pact was a symbol of their bond, and that nothing could ever break it.
The structure of the poem is significant because it mirrors the emotional journey of the daughter. The poem begins with a sense of tension and conflict, as the daughter describes the pact and the reasons behind it. The tension builds in the second and third stanzas, as the daughter struggles with her decision to break the pact. The fourth stanza is the turning point of the poem, as the daughter makes her decision to break the pact. The final stanza is where the tension is resolved, and the daughter reflects on the significance of the pact.
The literary devices used in the poem are also significant. The use of imagery, such as the "blood oath" in the first stanza, creates a sense of intensity and drama. The use of metaphor, such as the pact being a symbol of their bond, adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "promise" in the second stanza, emphasizes the importance of the pact and its significance.
In conclusion, The Pact by Sharon Olds is a powerful poem that explores the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. The poem delves into the themes of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child. The structure of the poem mirrors the emotional journey of the daughter, and the literary devices used add depth and complexity to the poem. The Pact is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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