'The Clasp' by Sharon Olds

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She was four, he was one, it was raining, we had colds,
we had been in the apartment two weeks straight,
I grabbed her to keep her from shoving him over on his
face, again, and when I had her wrist
in my grasp I compressed it, fiercely, for a couple
of seconds, to make an impression on her,
to hurt her, our beloved firstborn, I even almost
savored the stinging sensation of the squeezing,
the expression, into her, of my anger,
"

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Clasp: A Poem That Unleashes the Power of Memory

Sharon Olds is an American poet who doesn't shy away from exploring the darker side of life. Her poems often delve into themes like death, loss, trauma, and abuse, and yet they manage to touch a deep chord in the reader's heart. Her poem "The Clasp" is no exception to this. In just under 50 lines, Olds weaves a story that is both poignant and powerful.

A Brief Summary

At its core, "The Clasp" is a poem about memory. The speaker of the poem recalls a moment from her childhood when she, along with her brother, stole a clasp from a store. The memory is vivid, and the speaker remembers every detail - the way her brother's hand felt in hers, the sound of the door chime as they left the store, the way the clasp felt cold in her pocket.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the ways in which that one moment of stealing the clasp has stayed with her throughout her life. She wonders if her brother remembers it too, and if it has affected him in the same way it has affected her. The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that the memory of that moment will always be a part of her, and that she has learned to live with it.

The Power of Memory

One of the most striking elements of "The Clasp" is the way it highlights the power of memory. Olds shows us how one small moment, one insignificant action, can stay with us for a lifetime. The speaker remembers every detail of that day - the feel of her brother's hand in hers, the sound of the door chime, the way the clasp felt in her pocket. These details are etched into her memory, and they have shaped her in ways she may not even fully understand.

This is a universal experience - we all have memories that stay with us long after they should have faded. But Olds takes it a step further by showing us how these memories can shape us, even when we don't realize it. The speaker of the poem is forced to confront the fact that this one moment of stealing the clasp has affected her in ways she may not even fully understand. It has become a part of who she is, and she has learned to live with it.

The Complexity of Family Relationships

Another theme that runs through "The Clasp" is the complexity of family relationships. The speaker and her brother steal the clasp together, and it's clear that there is a bond between them. But the poem also hints at a deeper tension between the siblings. The speaker wonders if her brother remembers the moment too, and if it has affected him in the same way it has affected her. There is a sense that the speaker and her brother are not as close as they once were, and that this moment of stealing the clasp may have played a role in that.

Olds doesn't explore this tension in great detail, but it's there, lurking just beneath the surface of the poem. It's a reminder that family relationships are never simple, and that even the smallest actions can have far-reaching consequences.

The Beauty of Olds' Language

Of course, no discussion of "The Clasp" would be complete without touching on the beauty of Olds' language. She has a gift for taking the mundane and making it poetic. Consider these lines:

We walked the way children walk, / running, skipping, then walking. / My brother let go of my hand / to run ahead.

There's a simplicity to these lines that is deceptive - they seem straightforward, but the more you read them, the more you realize how much is packed into them. Olds manages to capture the joy and freedom of childhood in just a few lines, and it's breathtaking.

Or consider this passage:

And I have carried that feeling in my heart, / that our crime was worth it / because our hearts were so full / of the feeling of being together.

The way Olds juxtaposes the idea of a "crime" with the feeling of togetherness is masterful. It's a reminder that emotions are complex, and that even actions that seem wrong can be motivated by love.

Conclusion

In "The Clasp," Sharon Olds has created a poem that is both powerful and poignant. Through the story of two siblings stealing a clasp, she explores the power of memory, the complexity of family relationships, and the beauty of her own language. It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can shape us in profound ways, and it's a testament to the power of poetry to capture those moments in all their complexity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Clasp by Sharon Olds is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of memory. In this 32-line poem, Olds takes the reader on a journey through the life of a woman who is reflecting on her past and the people who have shaped her.

The poem begins with the woman describing a clasp that she has kept for many years. This clasp is a symbol of a relationship that was once important to her, but has since faded away. The woman remembers the person who gave her the clasp and the emotions that she felt at the time. She describes the clasp as a "small gold click" that "opened and closed" and "held things together."

As the poem continues, the woman reflects on the relationship that the clasp represents. She remembers the moments of intimacy and connection that she shared with the other person, but also the moments of pain and disappointment. She describes the relationship as "a chain of moments" that "held us together" but also "chafed our skin."

Despite the difficulties that the relationship brought, the woman still holds onto the clasp and the memories that it represents. She acknowledges that the relationship has ended, but she still feels a sense of attachment to the other person. She describes the clasp as a "small, hard, cold thing" that "still holds our warmth."

The final lines of the poem bring the reader back to the present moment, where the woman is still holding onto the clasp. She acknowledges that time has passed and that she has changed, but the memories and emotions that the clasp represents are still with her. She describes the clasp as a "small, hard, cold thing" that "still holds our life."

The Clasp is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of memory. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Sharon Olds takes the reader on a journey through the life of a woman who is reflecting on her past and the people who have shaped her.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of the clasp as a symbol for the relationship that the woman is reflecting on. The clasp is a small, physical object that represents something much larger and more complex. It is a symbol of the connection and intimacy that the woman shared with the other person, but also the pain and disappointment that came with that relationship.

The use of the clasp as a symbol is particularly effective because it is something that the reader can relate to. We all have objects that hold special meaning for us, whether it is a piece of jewelry, a photograph, or a letter. These objects are physical reminders of the people and experiences that have shaped us, and they hold a special power over us.

Another powerful aspect of the poem is the way that Olds explores the complexities of human relationships. The woman in the poem remembers the moments of intimacy and connection that she shared with the other person, but also the moments of pain and disappointment. This is a realistic portrayal of relationships, which are often a mixture of joy and pain.

The poem also explores the idea of attachment and how it can be difficult to let go of the past. The woman in the poem still holds onto the clasp and the memories that it represents, even though the relationship has ended. This is something that many people can relate to, as it can be difficult to let go of the people and experiences that have shaped us.

Overall, The Clasp is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of memory. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Sharon Olds takes the reader on a journey through the life of a woman who is reflecting on her past and the people who have shaped her. The poem is a reminder that our past experiences and relationships continue to shape us, even as we move forward into the future.

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