'The Space Heater' by Sharon Olds
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On the then-below-zero day, it was on,
near the patients' chair, the old heater
kept by the analyst's couch, at the end,
like the infant's headstone that was added near the foot
of my father's grave. And it was hot, with the almost
laughing satire of a fire's heat,
the little coils like hairs in Hell.
And it was making a group of sick noises-
I wanted the doctor to turn it off
but I couldn't seem to ask, so I just
stared, but it did not budge. The doctor
turned his heavy, soft palm
outward, toward me, inviting me to speak, I
said, "If you're cold-are you cold? But if it's on
for me..." He held his palm out toward me,
I tried to ask, but I only muttered,
but he said, "Of course," as if I had asked,
and he stood up and approached the heater, and then
stood on one foot, and threw himself
toward the wall with one hand, and with the other hand
reached down, behind the couch, to pull
the plug out. I looked away,
I had not known he would have to bend
like that. And I was so moved, that he
would act undignified, to help me,
that I cried, not trying to stop, but as if
the moans made sentences which bore
some human message. If he would cast himself toward the
outlet for me, as if bending with me in my old
shame and horror, then I would rest
on his art-and the heater purred, like a creature
or the familiar of a creature, or the child of a familiar,
the father of a child, the spirit of a father,
the healing of a spirit, the vision of healing,
the heat of vision, the power of heat,
the pleasure of power.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Space Heater: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that feels like a warm embrace? That's exactly what Sharon Olds' "The Space Heater" is all about. Published in 1988, the poem is a beautiful piece of literature that explores themes of love, comfort, and warmth. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at "The Space Heater," its structure, language, and theme to better understand its meaning and significance in the world of poetry.
Structure
"The Space Heater" is a free verse poem with no fixed meter or rhyme scheme. It consists of ten stanzas, each with two to four lines. The poem is relatively short, but it packs a powerful punch with its vivid imagery and emotional depth.
The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem with the line: "The heater hummed, the winter / howled, the baby / slept." This opening line immediately draws the reader into the scene and sets up the contrast between the harshness of winter and the warmth and comfort of the heater.
The poem then moves on to describe the heater in detail, its "red cave" and "grill like a grate of teeth." The language here is both descriptive and imaginative, with Olds painting a picture of the heater that is both inviting and a little bit intimidating.
As the poem progresses, we see the heater become a symbol of love and comfort. The narrator describes how she huddles close to the heater, feeling its warmth against her skin. She also talks about how the heater provides comfort to her family, protecting them from the cold winter outside.
The final stanza of the poem brings the narrative full circle, with the narrator describing how the heater "hummed and glowed / like a small god / who had saved us." This image of the heater as a deity is both powerful and moving, reinforcing the idea that the warmth it provides is something to be cherished and revered.
Language
One of the most striking things about "The Space Heater" is the language Olds uses to describe the heater. She uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a picture of the heater that is both physical and emotional.
The opening line of the poem, for example, uses personification to bring the heater to life: "The heater hummed, the winter / howled, the baby / slept." The use of personification here helps to create a sense of the heater as a living, breathing thing, something that is not just a machine but a vital part of the family's life.
Olds also uses metaphor to describe the heater, comparing it to a "red cave" and a "small god." These metaphors help to elevate the heater from a mere object to something much more meaningful and powerful.
Another notable aspect of the language in "The Space Heater" is the way Olds describes the warmth it provides. She talks about the "radiant coils" and "tongues of flame" that provide heat, using language that is both physical and sensual. This helps to create a sense of warmth that is not just about temperature, but about emotion as well.
Theme
At its core, "The Space Heater" is a poem about love and comfort. It explores how the heater provides both physical and emotional warmth to the family, protecting them from the harshness of winter and creating a sense of safety and security.
The theme of love is particularly strong in the poem. The narrator describes how she huddles close to the heater, feeling its warmth against her skin. She also talks about how the heater provides comfort to her family, protecting them from the cold winter outside. This creates a sense of intimacy and closeness that is both moving and comforting.
The theme of comfort is also explored in the poem. The heater is described as a source of comfort and safety, something that protects the family from the harshness of winter. This reinforces the idea that warmth is not just about temperature, but about emotion as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Space Heater" is a beautiful poem that explores themes of love, comfort, and warmth. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and emotional depth, the poem creates a sense of intimacy and closeness that is both moving and comforting. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human emotion and to create meaning out of the mundane. If you haven't read "The Space Heater" yet, I highly recommend it. It's a warm embrace in poem form, and who doesn't need a little bit of warmth in their life?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Space Heater: A Poem of Warmth and Love
Sharon Olds’ poem, The Space Heater, is a beautiful and heartwarming piece that captures the essence of love and warmth. The poem is a tribute to the space heater that has been a constant source of comfort and solace for the poet and her family during the cold winter months. The poem is a celebration of the warmth that the space heater provides, and the love and care that it symbolizes.
The poem begins with the poet describing the space heater as a “little sun” that brings warmth and light into their lives. The space heater is personified as a living being, with its own personality and character. The poet describes how the space heater “sings” and “whispers” as it warms up the room, creating a sense of intimacy and closeness.
The space heater is not just a machine that provides warmth, but it is also a symbol of love and care. The poet describes how the space heater was given to her by her father, who had passed away. The space heater is a reminder of her father’s love and care, and it brings back memories of him. The poet describes how the space heater “holds” her father’s love, and how it is a “gift” from him.
The space heater is also a symbol of the love and care that the poet has for her family. The poet describes how she wakes up early in the morning to turn on the space heater, so that her family can wake up to a warm and cozy room. The space heater is a way for the poet to show her love and care for her family, and to create a sense of warmth and comfort in their lives.
The poem is also a celebration of the power of love and warmth. The poet describes how the space heater creates a sense of intimacy and closeness, bringing people together in a warm and cozy room. The space heater is a symbol of the warmth and love that can be found in human relationships, and how these relationships can provide comfort and solace in difficult times.
The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and naturalness, reflecting the warmth and intimacy that the space heater creates. The language is simple and direct, with vivid imagery that creates a sense of warmth and comfort.
In conclusion, The Space Heater is a beautiful and heartwarming poem that celebrates the power of love and warmth. The space heater is not just a machine that provides warmth, but it is also a symbol of love and care. The poem is a tribute to the space heater that has been a constant source of comfort and solace for the poet and her family during the cold winter months. The poem is a celebration of the warmth that the space heater provides, and the love and care that it symbolizes.
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