'The Threat' by Denise Duhamel
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my mother pushed my sister out of the apartment door with an empty
suitcase because she kept threatening to run away my sister was sick of me
getting the best of everything the bathrobe with the pink stripes instead of
the red the soft middle piece of bread while she got the crust I was sick with
asthma and she thought this made me a favorite
I wanted to be like the girl in the made-for-tv movie Maybe I'll Come Home
in the Spring which was supposed to make you not want to run away but it
looked pretty fun especially all of the agony it put your parents through and
the girl was in California or someplace warm with a boyfriend and they
always found good food in the dumpsters at least they could eat pizza and
candy and not meat loaf the runaway actress was Sally Field or at least
someone who looked like Sally Field as a teenager the Flying Nun propelled
by the huge wings on the sides of her wimple Arnold the Pig getting drafted
in Green Acres my understanding then of Vietnam I read Go Ask Alice and
The Peter Pan Bag books that were designed to keep a young girl home but
there were the sex scenes and if anything this made me want to cut my hair
with scissors in front of the mirror while I was high on marijuana but I
couldn't inhale because of my lungs my sister was the one to pass out
behind the church for both of us rum and angel dust
and that's how it was my sister standing at the top of all those stairs that
lead up to the apartment and she pushed down the empty suitcase that
banged the banister and wall as it tumbled and I was crying on the other side
of the door because I was sure it was my sister who fell all ketchup blood and
stuck out bones my mother wouldn't let me open the door to let my sister
back in I don't know if she knew it was just the suitcase or not she was cold
rubbing her sleeves a mug of coffee in her hand and I had to decide she said I
had to decide right then
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Threat by Denise Duhamel: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you thinking about it long after you've read it? That's how I felt the first time I read Denise Duhamel's "The Threat." This poem not only explores the themes of power and control but also brings to light the issue of domestic violence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, and message.
Structure
At first glance, "The Threat" seems like a free-verse poem with no set structure. However, upon closer inspection, we can observe that it is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and theme. The first stanza sets the scene for the poem and introduces us to the protagonist, a woman who is being threatened by her partner. Here, Duhamel uses short, abrupt sentences that mimic the protagonist's fear and confusion.
The second stanza is the longest and the most powerful one. It consists of a series of rhetorical questions that the protagonist asks herself, as she tries to make sense of the situation. The questions are profound and thought-provoking, forcing the reader to confront the realities of domestic violence. Duhamel uses enjambment in this stanza to create a sense of urgency and to make the questions flow seamlessly into each other.
The final stanza is the shortest and the most hopeful one. It describes the protagonist's realization that she needs to take control of her life and leave her abusive partner. Duhamel uses short, declarative sentences in this stanza, which reflect the protagonist's newfound sense of determination.
Overall, the structure of "The Threat" is simple yet effective. It guides the reader through the protagonist's thought process and allows them to experience her emotions.
Language
Duhamel's use of language in "The Threat" is powerful and evocative. She employs a range of literary devices such as imagery, repetition, and metaphor to create a vivid picture of the protagonist's situation. For instance, in the first stanza, Duhamel uses the metaphor of a "coiled snake" to describe the protagonist's partner, who is waiting to strike. This image is both terrifying and accurate, as it perfectly captures the sense of danger that the protagonist feels.
In the second stanza, Duhamel uses repetition to highlight the protagonist's confusion and helplessness. She repeats the phrase "I don't understand" several times, emphasizing the fact that the protagonist is struggling to comprehend the situation she is in.
Duhamel also uses irony in the final stanza, where the protagonist says, "I am the boss of me." This line is significant because it marks a turning point in the protagonist's life. However, it is also ironic because up until this point, the protagonist has been controlled by her partner.
Overall, Duhamel's use of language is precise and effective. She uses it to convey the protagonist's emotions and to create a sense of urgency in the poem.
Message
At its core, "The Threat" is a poem about power and control. It explores the dynamics of an abusive relationship and the effects it has on the victim. Through the protagonist's experience, Duhamel shows us how abuse can leave a person feeling confused, helpless, and trapped.
However, the poem is also about hope and empowerment. The final stanza illustrates the protagonist's realization that she has the power to change her situation. By saying "I am the boss of me," she asserts her autonomy and takes control of her life.
Overall, the message of "The Threat" is a powerful one. It sheds light on a difficult and often overlooked issue and encourages victims of abuse to seek help and take control of their lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Threat" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of power, control, and domestic violence. Through its structure, language, and message, it creates a vivid picture of the protagonist's experience and encourages readers to confront the realities of abuse. It is a testament to Denise Duhamel's skill as a poet and her ability to tackle difficult issues with sensitivity and grace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Threat: A Poem of Feminine Empowerment
Denise Duhamel's poem, The Threat, is a powerful and provocative piece of literature that explores the themes of feminine empowerment and the struggle for equality. The poem is written in a conversational tone, with the speaker addressing a male figure who is attempting to assert his dominance over her. Through the use of vivid imagery and clever wordplay, Duhamel creates a compelling narrative that challenges traditional gender roles and celebrates the strength and resilience of women.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the male figure's attempts to intimidate her, stating "You want to be a man, don't you?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker confronts the male figure's attempts to assert his dominance and control over her. The use of the word "man" is significant here, as it implies that the male figure is attempting to define masculinity in a way that excludes women. By calling him out on this, the speaker is challenging the traditional gender roles that have been imposed on women for centuries.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to assert her own power and strength. She tells the male figure that she is "a dangerous woman," and that he should be afraid of her. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker is not afraid to challenge the male figure's attempts to control her. Instead, she is embracing her own strength and using it to assert her own identity.
Throughout the poem, Duhamel uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's sense of empowerment. For example, she describes herself as a "black widow spider," a creature that is often associated with danger and fear. This image reinforces the idea that the speaker is not afraid to challenge the male figure's attempts to control her, and that she is willing to use her own power to assert her identity.
Another powerful image in the poem is the use of the word "knife." The speaker tells the male figure that she has a "knife" in her purse, and that she is not afraid to use it. This image is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not afraid to use violence if necessary to defend herself. However, it also implies that the speaker is willing to use her own strength and power to assert her identity, rather than relying on traditional gender roles.
The poem also explores the theme of sexual empowerment, as the speaker tells the male figure that she is not afraid to use her sexuality to get what she wants. She states, "I have a knife in my purse, and I'm not afraid to use it. But first, I'll unzip my pants." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not afraid to use her own sexuality as a weapon, rather than relying on traditional gender roles that define women as passive and submissive.
Overall, The Threat is a powerful and provocative poem that challenges traditional gender roles and celebrates the strength and resilience of women. Through the use of vivid imagery and clever wordplay, Duhamel creates a compelling narrative that encourages women to embrace their own power and assert their own identities. The poem is a testament to the enduring spirit of feminine empowerment, and a reminder that women have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle.
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