'Nor We Of Her To Him' by Stevie Smith
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He said no word of her to us
Nor we of her to him,
But oh it saddened us to see
How wan he grew and thin.
We said: she eats him day and night
And draws the blood from him,
We did not know but said we thought
This was why he grew thin.
One day we called and rang the bell,
No answer came within,
We said: She must have took him off
To the forest old and grim,
It has fell out, we said, that she
Eats him in forest grim,
And how can we help him being eaten
Up in forests grim?
It is a restless time we spend,
We have no help from him,
We walk about and go to bed,
It is no help to him.
Sometimes we shake our heads and say
It might have better been
If he had spoke of us to her
Or we of her to him.
Which makes us feel helpful, until
The silence comes again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Nor We Of Her To Him: A Poem by Stevie Smith
Introduction
Stevie Smith's poem "Nor We Of Her To Him" is, without a doubt, a work of art that deserves close scrutiny. The poem, first published in 1958, is a poignant yet satirical commentary on the traditional gender roles assigned to men and women in romantic relationships. In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's themes, motifs, and stylistic features in detail, aiming to provide an in-depth interpretation of this classic work.
Summary of the Poem
The poem is a conversation between a group of women discussing their male counterparts. The women are discussing how men don't seem to understand them and how they don't feel valued in their relationships. The men, they argue, only see them as objects to be conquered, as "the thing he needs."
The poem's speaker then imagines what it would be like if she were a man, and she could see things from a different perspective. She imagines herself as the conqueror and the woman as the conquered, but she realizes that this would not work either. She realizes that the problem is not just with men, but also with society's expectations of women.
The poem ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the speaker acknowledging that things aren't perfect but that they will keep trying to make things better. The tone of the poem is both satirical and melancholic, highlighting the deep-seated issues that Smith was grappling with at the time.
Themes and Motifs
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the gender roles assigned to men and women in romantic relationships. The women in the poem feel that men do not understand them and only see them as objects to be conquered. This attitude is reflective of the patriarchal society that Smith was living in, where women were expected to be submissive and subservient to men.
Another significant theme in the poem is the notion of power and control in relationships. The poem's speaker imagines herself as a man and the woman as the conquered. This scenario highlights the power dynamic that exists in relationships, where one person is often in control and the other is subservient.
Smith also uses the motif of nature in the poem to underscore her point. The women in the poem compare themselves to flowers and plants, which are often seen as objects of beauty and desire. This comparison highlights the objectification of women in society and their lack of agency in romantic relationships.
Stylistic Features
One of the most striking stylistic features of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "nor we of her to him" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the disconnect between men and women in relationships. The repetition also lends a musical quality to the poem, underscoring Smith's skill as a poet.
Another notable stylistic feature of the poem is its use of irony and satire. The women in the poem are discussing their frustrations with men, but their conversation is tinged with a sense of irony and humor. This use of satire highlights the absurdity of the gender roles assigned to men and women in relationships and serves to critique the patriarchal society that Smith was living in.
The poem's imagery is also noteworthy, with Smith using vivid descriptions to bring her ideas to life. The comparison between women and flowers is a particularly powerful image, as it highlights the objectification of women in society. The use of nature imagery also serves to underscore the idea that women are often seen as objects of beauty, rather than individuals with agency.
Interpretation
At its core, "Nor We Of Her To Him" is a critique of the patriarchal society that Smith was living in. The poem highlights the gender roles assigned to men and women in romantic relationships and the power dynamic that exists between them. The women in the poem feel undervalued and objectified by men, and their frustration is palpable.
The poem's speaker imagines herself as a man and the woman as the conquered, but she realizes that this scenario is just as problematic. This realization highlights the notion that the problem is not just with men but with society's expectations of women.
Smith's use of repetition, irony, and satire underscores the absurdity of the gender roles assigned to men and women in relationships. Her use of nature imagery also serves to highlight the objectification of women in society and their lack of agency in romantic relationships.
Overall, "Nor We Of Her To Him" is a powerful commentary on the gender roles assigned to men and women in romantic relationships. Smith's skill as a poet is evident in her use of repetition, imagery, and irony, and her message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first published in 1958.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Nor We Of Her To Him" is a classic poem that deserves close study and analysis. The poem's themes, motifs, and stylistic features all serve to underscore Smith's critique of the patriarchal society that she was living in. The poem's enduring relevance is a testament to Smith's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Nor We Of Her To Him: A Poem of Love and Loss
Stevie Smith's Nor We Of Her To Him is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and loss. Written in the early 20th century, the poem is a poignant reflection on the nature of relationships and the ways in which they can be both beautiful and painful. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its structure and language, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Nor we of her to him." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of distance and separation. The speaker is acknowledging that there is a divide between two people who were once close, and that this divide cannot be easily bridged. The use of the word "nor" emphasizes the sense of separation, as it suggests that there is no connection between the two parties.
The second line of the poem, "Nor him of her," reinforces this sense of separation. The speaker is acknowledging that the divide is mutual, and that both parties are equally distant from each other. This line also introduces the idea of gender, as it suggests that the two parties are a man and a woman. This gender dynamic is important to the poem, as it reflects the societal norms of the time in which it was written.
The third line of the poem, "And what is worse," introduces a sense of tension and conflict. The speaker is suggesting that there is something negative about the situation, and that it is causing pain or discomfort. The use of the phrase "what is worse" implies that there are other negative aspects to the situation that have not yet been revealed.
The fourth line of the poem, "We cannot choose but know," suggests that the speaker is aware of the negative aspects of the situation, even if they would rather not be. This line also introduces the idea of choice, or lack thereof. The speaker is acknowledging that they are powerless to change the situation, and that they must simply accept it.
The fifth line of the poem, "That he too has been dreaming," introduces the idea of dreams and illusions. The speaker is suggesting that both parties have been living in a dream world, where they believed that their relationship was stronger than it actually was. This line also introduces the idea of perspective, as it suggests that the two parties may have had different ideas about the nature of their relationship.
The sixth line of the poem, "Nor what is worse," introduces another negative aspect of the situation. The speaker is suggesting that there is something even more negative than the fact that both parties have been living in a dream world. This line also introduces the idea of hierarchy, as it suggests that there are different levels of negativity.
The seventh line of the poem, "That I too have been dreaming," reveals the speaker's personal connection to the situation. The speaker is acknowledging that they too have been living in a dream world, and that they too have been deceived by the illusion of their relationship. This line also introduces the idea of self-reflection, as the speaker is acknowledging their own role in the situation.
The eighth line of the poem, "And have found nothing," introduces a sense of emptiness and disappointment. The speaker is suggesting that their dreams have not been fulfilled, and that they have been left with nothing. This line also introduces the idea of searching, as the speaker is suggesting that they have been looking for something that they have not found.
The ninth line of the poem, "But I dare not tell," introduces the idea of secrecy and shame. The speaker is suggesting that there is something shameful about their situation, and that they are afraid to reveal it to others. This line also introduces the idea of vulnerability, as the speaker is acknowledging that they are afraid to be honest about their feelings.
The tenth line of the poem, "For he would say I lied," introduces the idea of mistrust and suspicion. The speaker is suggesting that their partner would not believe them if they were to reveal their true feelings, and that they would be accused of lying. This line also introduces the idea of communication, as the speaker is acknowledging that there is a breakdown in communication between the two parties.
The eleventh line of the poem, "And I would say he lied," reinforces the idea of mistrust and suspicion. The speaker is suggesting that they do not trust their partner, and that they believe that they have been deceived. This line also introduces the idea of blame, as the speaker is suggesting that their partner is responsible for the breakdown in their relationship.
The twelfth line of the poem, "And worse than that," introduces another negative aspect of the situation. The speaker is suggesting that there is something even more negative than the fact that they do not trust each other. This line also introduces the idea of hierarchy, as it suggests that there are different levels of negativity.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "For in his eyes," introduces the idea of perspective. The speaker is suggesting that their partner sees things differently than they do, and that they may have a different understanding of the situation. This line also introduces the idea of subjectivity, as it suggests that there is no objective truth to the situation.
The fourteenth line of the poem, "I read such things as love," introduces the idea of interpretation. The speaker is suggesting that they interpret their partner's actions as a sign of love, even if their partner may not see it that way. This line also introduces the idea of ambiguity, as it suggests that there is no clear definition of what love is.
The fifteenth line of the poem, "And there is no more to say," introduces a sense of finality and resignation. The speaker is suggesting that there is nothing left to be said about the situation, and that they must simply accept it. This line also introduces the idea of closure, as it suggests that the speaker is ready to move on from the situation.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each line consisting of a single phrase. This structure emphasizes the simplicity of the situation, while also allowing for a sense of depth and complexity. The repetition of the phrase "Nor we of her to him" throughout the poem reinforces the sense of separation and distance, while also creating a sense of rhythm and flow.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a focus on concrete images and emotions. The use of repetition and parallelism creates a sense of symmetry and balance, while also emphasizing the themes and motifs of the poem. The use of metaphors and symbolism is minimal, with the poem relying more on the power of language itself to convey its meaning.
In conclusion, Nor We Of Her To Him is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and loss. Through its simple structure and direct language, the poem conveys a sense of distance and separation between two people who were once close. The themes and motifs of the poem, including dreams, illusions, mistrust, and communication breakdowns, are universal and timeless, making the poem relevant even today. Overall, Nor We Of Her To Him is a powerful reflection on the nature of relationships and the ways in which they can be both beautiful and painful.
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