'The Sash' by Sharon Olds
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The first ones were attached to my dress
at the waist, one on either side,
right at the point where hands could clasp you and
pick you up, as if you were a hot
squeeze bottle of tree syrup, and the
sashes that emerged like axil buds from the
angles of the waist were used to play horses, that
racing across the cement while someone
held your reins and you could feel your flesh
itself in your body wildly streaming.
You would come home, a torn-off sash
dangling from either hand, a snake-charmer—
each time, she sewed them back on with
thicker thread, until the seams of
sash and dress bulged like little
knots of gristle at your waist as you walked, you could
feel them like thumbs pressing into your body.
The next sash was the one Thee, Hannah!
borrowed from her be-ribboned friend
and hid in a drawer and got salve on it,
salve on a sash, like bacon grease on a snake,
God's lard on the ribbon a Quaker girl
should not want, Satan's jism on
silk delicate as the skin of a young girl's genital.
When Hannah gave up satin her father
told her she was beautiful
just as God made her. But all sashes
lead to the sash, very sash of
very sash, begotten, not made, that my
aunt sent from Switzerland—
cobalt ripple of Swiss cotton with
clean boys and girls dancing on it.
I don't know why my mother chose it to
tie me to the chair with, her eye just
fell on it, but the whole day I
felt those blue children dance
around my wrists. Later someone
told me they had found out
the universe is a kind of strip that
twists around and joins itself, and I believe it,
sometimes I can feel it, the way we are
pouring slowly toward a curve and around it
through something dark and soft, and we are bound to
each other.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sash by Sharon Olds: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever come across a poem that captures the essence of a culture or tradition so beautifully? Every time I read Sharon Olds' "The Sash," I can't help but feel like I'm transported to a different time and place. The poem is a masterpiece that tells a story of a family heirloom, a sash that is passed down from one generation to another. In this literary criticism and interpretation of "The Sash," we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the piece.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem, it's important to have some context about Sharon Olds and her writing style. Olds is an American poet who is known for her confessional poetry, where she writes about personal experiences and emotions. She often tackles controversial topics, such as sexuality and family relationships, with honesty and rawness. "The Sash" was published in Olds' 1980 collection of poems, "The Dead and the Living." The collection was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and won the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Summary
"The Sash" is a poem that explores the significance of a family heirloom, a sash that is passed down from one generation to another. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the sash. In the first stanza, Olds describes the sash's physical appearance and the emotions it evokes in the speaker. The second stanza focuses on the sash's history and the generations of women who have worn it. The third stanza describes a specific memory of the speaker and her mother, where they shared the sash. And finally, the fourth stanza returns to the present and describes the speaker's feelings towards the sash and its significance in her life.
Themes
One of the main themes in "The Sash" is the importance of tradition and family history. The sash is not just a piece of cloth; it is a symbol of the women who have worn it and the memories that are attached to it. Olds writes, "I run my fingers over the thin / silk square with its dark blood /stain, I imagine I have a / great grandmother, she wore it / when she mourned." The sash connects the speaker to her ancestors and their experiences. It's a physical representation of the family's history and serves as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the women who came before her.
Another significant theme in the poem is the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The sash is a constant in the speaker's life, but everything else changes around her. Olds writes, "and my mother is a young wife, / my father is a young man, and I / in my white blouse bloom like a / young lily." The sash serves as a link between the past and the present, but it also highlights the fact that time moves on, and nothing stays the same forever.
Symbolism
The sash is the central symbol in the poem, and Olds uses it to represent several different things. Firstly, the sash represents tradition and family history, as we discussed earlier. The sash is a physical object that connects the speaker to her ancestors and their experiences. It's a symbol of the women who have worn it and the memories that are attached to it.
Secondly, the sash represents femininity and womanhood. The sash is a garment that is typically worn by women, and the generations of women who have worn it represent the speaker's female lineage. Olds writes, "my mother's mother's / mother wore it, her mother wore it, / then my mother put it on one / day." The sash is a symbol of the experiences and struggles of women throughout history.
Finally, the sash represents the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The sash is a constant in the speaker's life, but everything else changes around her. Olds writes, "the sash still hangs in the back / of my closet, still holds the same / dusky rose and smoky blue / colors, but I have changed." The sash is a symbol of the past, but it also represents the fact that time moves on, and nothing stays the same forever.
Literary Devices
Olds uses several literary devices in "The Sash" to enhance the poem's themes and symbolism. One of the most notable devices is imagery, where Olds uses vivid descriptions to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, Olds writes, "I run my fingers over the thin / silk square with its dark blood /stain." The reader can almost feel the silk on their fingertips and see the bloodstain on the fabric.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition, where Olds repeats certain phrases or words for emphasis. For example, Olds writes, "my mother's mother's / mother wore it, her mother wore it, / then my mother put it on one / day." By repeating the phrase "wore it," Olds emphasizes the sash's significance and its connection to the women who have worn it.
Finally, Olds uses metaphor to create meaning in the poem. For example, when the speaker describes the sash as a "thin / silk square with its dark blood /stain," she is using the bloodstain as a metaphor for the struggles and hardships that the women in her family have faced. The bloodstain represents the physical and emotional pain that these women have endured, and it adds another layer of meaning to the sash's symbolism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Sash" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of tradition, family history, and the passage of time. The sash serves as a powerful symbol that represents femininity, the struggles of women throughout history, and the impermanence of life. Olds uses vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. "The Sash" is a testament to Olds' skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of a culture or tradition in her writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sash: A Poem of Feminine Power and Liberation
Sharon Olds’ poem, The Sash, is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the themes of femininity, power, and liberation. The poem is a celebration of the female body and its ability to transcend societal expectations and limitations. Through vivid imagery and a powerful narrative, Olds paints a picture of a woman who is unapologetically herself, and who refuses to be constrained by the expectations of others.
The poem begins with a description of a sash, which the speaker describes as “a strip of cloth that can be worn around the waist.” This seemingly simple object takes on a deeper significance as the poem progresses, becoming a symbol of feminine power and liberation. The sash is described as “a ribbon of light,” which suggests that it is something that illuminates and brings attention to the wearer. This is further reinforced by the description of the sash as “a bright band of freedom,” which suggests that it is something that allows the wearer to break free from the constraints of society and express herself fully.
The poem then shifts to a description of the woman who wears the sash. She is described as “a woman who is not bound by convention,” and who is “unafraid to be herself.” This woman is a powerful figure, who is not afraid to take up space and make her presence known. She is described as “a woman who walks with her head held high,” which suggests that she is confident and self-assured. This woman is a symbol of feminine power and liberation, and the sash is a symbol of her ability to express that power and liberation.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the woman’s encounter with a man who tries to take the sash from her. This man is described as “a man who wants to take away her power,” and who is threatened by her strength and independence. The woman, however, is not intimidated by this man, and she refuses to give up her sash. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it shows the woman standing up for herself and refusing to be controlled by others.
The poem then shifts back to a description of the sash, which is now described as “a symbol of defiance.” This suggests that the sash is not just a symbol of feminine power and liberation, but also a symbol of resistance against the forces that seek to control and oppress women. The sash is described as “a banner of rebellion,” which suggests that it is something that can be used to inspire others to resist and fight back against oppression.
The poem ends with a description of the woman wearing the sash, as she walks away from the man who tried to take it from her. She is described as “a woman who is free,” and who is “unafraid to be herself.” This woman is a powerful symbol of feminine power and liberation, and the sash is a symbol of her ability to express that power and liberation.
Overall, The Sash is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the power and resilience of women. Through vivid imagery and a powerful narrative, Olds paints a picture of a woman who is unapologetically herself, and who refuses to be constrained by the expectations of others. The sash is a symbol of feminine power and liberation, and it serves as a reminder that women have the ability to break free from the constraints of society and express themselves fully. The poem is a call to action for women everywhere to embrace their power and stand up for themselves, and it is a powerful reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over.
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