'Never To Dream Of Spiders' by Audre Lorde
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Time collapses between the lips of strangers
my days collapse into a hollow tube
soon implodes against now
like an iron wall
my eyes are blocked with rubble
a smear of perspectives
blurring each horizon
in the breathless precision of silence
One word is made.
Once the renegade flesh was gone
fall air lay against my face
sharp and blue as a needle
but the rain fell through October
and death lay a condemnation
within my blood.
The smell of your neck in August
a fine gold wire bejeweling war
all the rest lies
illusive as a farmhouse
on the other side of a valley
vanishing in the afternoon.
Day three day four day ten
the seventh step
a veiled door leading to my golden
anniversary
flameproofed free-paper shredded
in the teeth of a pillaging dog
never to dream of spiders
and when they turned the hoses upon me
a burst of light.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Never To Dream Of Spiders: A Critical Analysis
Audre Lorde is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her works, including the poem "Never To Dream Of Spiders," have inspired and challenged readers across generations. This poem is a powerful exploration of fear, loss, and the complexities of human emotion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning and significance of "Never To Dream Of Spiders" in depth.
Overview of the Poem
"Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a poem that is composed of six stanzas, each containing four lines. At first glance, the poem seems to be about a fear of spiders. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is about much more than that. It is a meditation on the nature of fear, the human struggle for control, and the inevitability of loss.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that they "must never dream of spiders again." The reason for this fear is not immediately clear. As the poem progresses, however, it becomes apparent that the fear of spiders is a metaphor for a much larger fear. The speaker is not simply afraid of spiders; they are afraid of loss, of being overtaken by the unknown.
Throughout the poem, the speaker struggles to control their fear. They try to distance themselves from the spiders, to avoid thinking about them, to push them away. However, no matter how hard they try, the spiders continue to haunt them.
The final stanza of the poem reveals the true nature of the speaker's fear. They are not simply afraid of spiders; they are afraid of the loss of control that comes with facing the unknown. They fear that they will be overtaken by the spiders, that they will lose themselves entirely.
Interpretation
"Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of fear. It tells the story of a person who is struggling to control their fear, to keep it at bay. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this fear is not simply about spiders. It is about the fear of the unknown, of loss, of being overtaken by forces beyond our control.
The spiders in the poem are a powerful metaphor for this fear. Spiders are creatures that are often associated with darkness, with danger, with the unknown. They are creatures that many people find frightening, and the speaker in the poem is no exception.
However, the spiders in the poem are also a metaphor for the inevitability of loss. No matter how much we try to control our lives, no matter how much we try to keep the unknown at bay, we will eventually face loss. We will lose loved ones, we will lose our health, we will lose ourselves in one way or another. The spiders in the poem represent this inevitability of loss, this sense that we cannot control everything.
The struggle of the speaker to control their fear is also a powerful metaphor for the human struggle for control. We are constantly trying to control our lives, to keep the unknown at bay, to avoid loss. However, no matter how hard we try, we cannot control everything. The spiders in the poem represent this struggle for control, this sense that we are constantly battling against forces beyond our control.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. It reveals the true nature of the speaker's fear, and in doing so, it speaks to the human experience of loss. The speaker fears that they will be overtaken by the spiders, that they will lose themselves entirely. This fear is a universal one. We all fear that we will be overtaken by loss, that we will lose ourselves in some way. The final stanza of the poem speaks to this fear, and it does so in a way that is both powerful and poignant.
Literary Analysis
"Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a poem that is rich in literary devices and techniques. From the use of metaphor to the careful choice of words, this poem is a masterclass in poetic craft.
One of the most striking literary devices in the poem is the use of metaphor. The spiders in the poem are a powerful metaphor for the fear of the unknown and the inevitability of loss. The careful use of this metaphor throughout the poem helps to create a sense of unease and tension, and it adds depth and complexity to the poem.
Another literary device that is used effectively in the poem is imagery. The image of the spiders crawling over the speaker creates a vivid and unsettling picture in the reader's mind. This imagery is used to great effect throughout the poem, and it helps to create a sense of urgency and tension.
The poem also uses repetition to great effect. The repeated phrase "never to dream of spiders again" helps to create a sense of urgency and desperation in the speaker's voice. It also serves to reinforce the importance of the spiders as a metaphor for the fears that the speaker is facing.
The choice of words in the poem is also carefully considered. The use of words like "tangled" and "web" helps to reinforce the spider metaphor, while words like "desperate" and "clawing" create a sense of urgency and desperation.
Conclusion
"Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of fear and loss. Through its powerful use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of tension and unease that is both striking and powerful.
The poem is a reminder that we cannot control everything in our lives, that loss is inevitable, and that we must learn to accept the unknown. It is a call to embrace the fears that we face, to confront them head-on, and to find a way to move forward in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. It is a testament to the power of poetry to provoke thought, inspire action, and create lasting change.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Never To Dream Of Spiders: An Analysis of Audre Lorde's Classic Poem
Audre Lorde, a renowned poet, essayist, and activist, is known for her powerful and thought-provoking works that explore themes of identity, race, gender, and sexuality. One of her most famous poems, "Never To Dream Of Spiders," is a haunting and evocative piece that delves into the complexities of fear, power, and vulnerability. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a vivid and unsettling image: "Time collapses between the lips of strangers." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of unease and disorientation. The idea of time collapsing suggests a loss of control and a blurring of boundaries, which is further emphasized by the reference to strangers. The speaker seems to be describing a moment of intimacy or vulnerability with someone they don't know, which adds to the sense of danger and unpredictability.
The next line, "My days collapse into a hollow tube," continues this theme of collapse and loss. The use of the word "hollow" suggests emptiness and a lack of substance, while the image of a tube implies confinement and restriction. The speaker seems to be describing a sense of being trapped or confined, which adds to the overall feeling of fear and vulnerability.
The poem then takes a sharp turn with the line, "Soon implodes against now." This line is a powerful example of enjambment, where the sentence continues across multiple lines. The effect is to create a sense of urgency and momentum, as if the speaker is racing towards a moment of crisis. The use of the word "implodes" suggests a sudden and violent collapse, while "now" implies a sense of immediacy and urgency. The juxtaposition of these two words creates a sense of tension and conflict, as if the speaker is struggling to hold onto something that is slipping away.
The next few lines of the poem are perhaps the most famous: "Like an iron fist / I wake into a clenched jaw / Sparse, hair standing on end." These lines are a powerful example of imagery, using vivid and visceral descriptions to convey the speaker's fear and anxiety. The image of an iron fist suggests a sense of power and control, while the clenched jaw implies tension and anxiety. The use of the word "sparse" suggests a sense of emptiness or lack, while "hair standing on end" implies a physical response to fear. Together, these lines create a vivid and unsettling picture of the speaker's state of mind.
The poem then shifts to a more surreal and dreamlike tone, with the lines "The blanket flushes / cold under my skin / And spiders are spinning their nests in the corners of my eyes." This imagery is both beautiful and disturbing, using the image of spiders to create a sense of unease and discomfort. The use of the word "flushes" suggests a sudden and intense sensation, while "cold under my skin" implies a physical response to fear. The image of spiders spinning their nests in the corners of the speaker's eyes is particularly powerful, suggesting a sense of invasion and violation.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic: "I cannot cry / Because the liquid / is the same / As that which courses / through veins / Which would be bled / Quietly / In the velvet / Of my innermost / fears." These lines are a powerful example of ambiguity, leaving the reader to interpret their meaning. The use of the word "liquid" suggests tears, but also blood, which adds to the sense of danger and violence. The reference to veins and bleeding creates a sense of physical vulnerability, while the use of the word "velvet" implies a sense of luxury or comfort. Together, these lines create a complex and layered image of fear and vulnerability.
In conclusion, "Never To Dream Of Spiders" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of fear, power, and vulnerability. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Audre Lorde creates a sense of unease and discomfort that lingers long after the poem is finished. The poem is a testament to Lorde's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
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