'The Violent Space (Or When Your Sister Sleeps Around For Money)' by Etheridge Knight
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Exchange in greed the ungraceful signs. Thrust
The thick notes between green apple breasts.
Then the shadow of the devil descends,
The violent space cries and angel eyes,
Large and dark, retreat in innocence and in ice.
(Run sister run—the Bugga man comes!)
The violent space cries silently,
Like you cried wide years ago
In another space, speckled by the sun
And the leaves of a green plum tree,
And you were stung
By a red wasp and we flew home.
(Run sister run—the Bugga man comes!)
Well, hell, lil sis, wasps still sting.
You are all of seventeen and as alone now
In your pain as you were with the sting
On your brow.
Well, shit. lil sis, here we are:
You and I and this poem.
And what should I do? should I squat
In the dust and make strange markings on the ground?
Shall I chant a spell to drive the demon away?
(Run sister run—the Bugga man comes!)
In the beginning you were the Virgin Mary,
And you are the Virgin Mary now.
But somewhere between Nazareth and Bethlehem
You lost your name in the nameless void.
"O Mary don't you weep don't you moan"
O Mary shake your butt to the violent juke,
Absord the demon puke and watch the whites eyes pop,
(Run sister run—the Bugga man comes!)
And what do I do. I boil my tears in a twisted spoon
And dance like an angel on the point of a needle.
I sit counting syllables like Midas gold.
I am not bold. I cannot yet take hold of the demon
And lift his weight from you black belly,
So I grab the air and sing my song.
(But the air cannot stand my singing long.)
Submitted by Emily S
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Violent Space: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Or When Your Sister Sleeps Around For Money
Are you ready to dive into the world of Etheridge Knight? Are you ready to explore the poem that makes you feel like you're on a roller coaster ride? Then fasten your seatbelts, because we're about to embark on a journey into the world of "The Violent Space."
Introduction
"The Violent Space" is a poem by Etheridge Knight that was first published in his 1968 book "Black Voices from Prison." The poem is a part of a larger collection of works by Knight that address issues of race, class, and gender. The poem explores the life of a woman who is compelled to engage in prostitution to make ends meet. The poem is a powerful indictment of a society that forces women into such circumstances.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will provide a detailed analysis of the poem's structure, language, and themes. I will also provide an interpretation of the poem and its significance to the larger literary canon.
Analysis
Structure
The poem is written in free verse and consists of a single stanza. The poem is divided into several sections, each with its own distinct voice and tone. The first section introduces the protagonist and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The second section is a dialogue between the protagonist and a client. The third section describes the aftermath of the encounter. The final section provides a reflection on the events that have transpired.
Language
The language of the poem is raw and powerful. Knight uses vernacular language and street slang to add authenticity to the poem. The poem is filled with imagery that is both violent and sexual, such as the lines "you sink your teeth in my back / and grunt like a hog." The language of the poem is a reflection of the harsh reality that the protagonist faces.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including gender, power, and poverty. The protagonist is a woman who is forced to engage in prostitution to make ends meet. She is trapped in a cycle of poverty that is perpetuated by a society that values profit over people. The poem also explores the power dynamic between the protagonist and her clients. She is forced to submit to their demands and is powerless to resist.
Interpretation
"The Violent Space" is a powerful indictment of a society that values profit over people. The poem explores the life of a woman who is forced to engage in prostitution to make ends meet. The protagonist is a victim of a system that is designed to exploit the marginalized. She is trapped in a cycle of poverty that is perpetuated by a society that values profit over people.
The poem also explores the power dynamic between the protagonist and her clients. She is forced to submit to their demands and is powerless to resist. The clients are portrayed as violent and abusive, and the protagonist is portrayed as a victim of their abuse. The poem is a commentary on the ways in which power is used to exploit the vulnerable.
The language of the poem is raw and powerful, and it adds to the poem's authenticity. Knight uses vernacular language and street slang to add authenticity to the poem. The language of the poem is a reflection of the harsh reality that the protagonist faces.
In conclusion, "The Violent Space" is a powerful poem that explores issues of gender, power, and poverty. The poem is a commentary on a society that values profit over people and exploits the vulnerable. The language of the poem is raw and powerful, and it adds to the poem's authenticity. Knight's work is a significant contribution to the larger literary canon and serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing social issues in literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Violent Space (Or When Your Sister Sleeps Around For Money) is a classic poem written by Etheridge Knight that explores the themes of poverty, desperation, and the lengths people will go to survive. The poem is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of life for those living in poverty and the difficult choices they must make to survive.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the setting, with the speaker describing the "violent space" of the city streets. The use of the word "violent" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the world the speaker is describing is one of danger and desperation. The speaker goes on to describe the people who inhabit this space, including "junkies," "whores," and "hustlers." These are people who have been pushed to the margins of society, forced to live in the shadows and do whatever it takes to survive.
The focus of the poem then shifts to the speaker's sister, who is described as sleeping around for money. This is a difficult subject to tackle, but Knight does so with sensitivity and nuance. The speaker is clearly conflicted about his sister's actions, torn between his love for her and his disapproval of what she is doing. He describes her as "a good girl," suggesting that she is not inherently immoral, but has been forced into this situation by circumstances beyond her control.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the violence that his sister is subjected to. He describes her as being "beat up," "cut up," and "raped." These are horrific acts of violence, and the fact that they are happening to the speaker's own sister makes them all the more disturbing. The use of the word "raped" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that his sister is not engaging in consensual sex, but is being forced into it against her will.
Despite the violence and desperation that the poem describes, there is also a sense of hope and resilience. The speaker describes his sister as being "strong," and suggests that she is doing what she needs to do to survive. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that even in the face of extreme adversity, people can find the strength to keep going.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the speaker's sister walking down the street, "her head held high." This is a powerful symbol of resilience and strength, suggesting that even in the face of extreme adversity, people can find the courage to keep going. The fact that the speaker's sister is able to hold her head high despite the violence and desperation that surrounds her is a testament to the human spirit and the power of hope.
Overall, The Violent Space (Or When Your Sister Sleeps Around For Money) is a powerful and moving poem that explores the difficult realities of life for those living in poverty. Knight's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of urgency and desperation, while his nuanced portrayal of the speaker's sister adds a layer of complexity and depth to the poem. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a powerful reminder that even in the face of extreme adversity, there is always hope.
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