'The Space Heater' by Sharon Olds

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The New YorkerJanuary 22, 2001On the then-below-zero day, it was on,
near the patients' chair, the old heater
kept by the analyst's couch, at the end,
like the infant's headstone that was added near the foot
of my father's grave. And it was hot, with the almost
laughing satire of a fire's heat,
the little coils like hairs in Hell.
And it was making a group of sick noises-
I wanted the doctor to turn it off
but I couldn't seem to ask, so I just
stared, but it did not budge. The doctor
turned his heavy, soft palm
outward, toward me, inviting me to speak, I
said, "If you're cold-are you cold? But if it's onfor me..." He held his palm out toward me,
I tried to ask, but I only muttered,
but he said, "Of course," as if I had asked,
and he stood up and approached the heater, and then
stood on one foot, and threw himself
toward the wall with one hand, and with the other hand
reached down, behind the couch, to pull
the plug out. I looked away,
I had not known he would have to bend
like that. And I was so moved, that he
would act undignified, to help me,
that I cried, not trying to stop, but as if
the moans made sentences which bore
some human message. If he would cast himself toward the
outlet for me, as if bending with me in my old
shame and horror, then I would rest
on his art-and the heater purred, like a creature
or the familiar of a creature, or the child of a familiar,
the father of a child, the spirit of a father,
the healing of a spirit, the vision of healing,
the heat of vision, the power of heat,
the pleasure of power.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Warm Embrace of Life: A Critique of Sharon Olds' "The Space Heater"

Sharon Olds is a poet who has made a name for herself in the world of literature. Her works are often regarded as deeply emotive, vivid, and evocative of the human experience. One of her most celebrated pieces is "The Space Heater," which was published in her 1983 collection "The Dead and the Living." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many facets of this poem and what it may mean to those who read it.

Overview

At its core, "The Space Heater" is a poem about the warmth of life. It is a celebration of the things that keep us going, even in the darkest of times. The poem is written in free verse, with no real rhyme scheme or structure. This gives the piece a sense of fluidity, which works well with the themes of the poem.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each exploring a different aspect of the space heater. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the heater as it warms up the room. The second stanza focuses on the sound of the heater, which is likened to a heartbeat. The third stanza is a meditation on the beauty of the light that emanates from the heater. Finally, the fourth stanza brings everything together, emphasizing the importance of the heater as a source of life and warmth.

Analysis

Stanza One

The poem starts with a simple description of the space heater. Olds describes it as "sturdy" and "red," giving the reader an image of a solid, reliable object. However, the most important aspect of the heater is its ability to warm up the room. This warmth is described in sensual terms, with Olds focusing on the feeling of heat on the skin. This creates a sense of intimacy, as though the reader is experiencing the warmth of the heater firsthand.

Stanza Two

The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the sound of the heater. Here, Olds uses a simile to compare the sound of the heater to a heartbeat. This is a powerful image, as it connects the warmth of the heater to the beating of a heart. The heartbeat is often associated with life, and by extension, the heater becomes a symbol of life itself. The stanza ends with a description of the sound of the heater as it fades away, creating a sense of loss and melancholy.

Stanza Three

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poetic. Here, Olds describes the beauty of the light that emanates from the heater. This light is described in almost mystical terms, with Olds comparing it to a "spirit" that "rises up from the red coils." This image is incredibly evocative, and it adds a layer of depth to the poem. Once again, the heater becomes more than just an object; it becomes a source of wonder and beauty.

Stanza Four

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. Here, Olds emphasizes the importance of the heater as a source of life and warmth. She describes it as a "companion" that is always there, even in the darkest of times. The stanza ends with the powerful line, "it is still alive, still glowing, still warm." This line is a testament to the resilience of life, and it serves as a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope.

Interpretation

At its core, "The Space Heater" is a celebration of life. The heater is a symbol of warmth and comfort, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and light to be found. The heartbeat imagery is particularly powerful, as it connects the warmth of the heater to the beating of a heart. This creates a sense of intimacy and connection, as though the reader is part of a greater whole.

The poem can also be read as a meditation on mortality. The fading sound of the heater in the second stanza creates a sense of loss and melancholy, reminding the reader that nothing lasts forever. However, the beauty of the light in the third stanza serves as a counterpoint to this, suggesting that even in death, there is still beauty to be found.

Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the warmth of life. It is a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope and light to be found. Olds' use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, and the poem serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty of the human experience.

Conclusion

"The Space Heater" is a powerful poem that explores the many facets of life. It is a celebration of warmth, light, and beauty, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Olds' use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, and the poem is a testament to the resilience of life. Overall, "The Space Heater" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to explore the beauty of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport us to different worlds. Sharon Olds, a renowned American poet, has mastered the art of poetry and has been captivating readers with her works for decades. One of her most famous poems, "The Space Heater," is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a space heater that she has had for many years. The heater is old and worn out, but it still manages to keep her warm on cold winter nights. The speaker then reminisces about the past and how she used to cuddle with her lover in front of the heater. The heater, therefore, becomes a symbol of the love that the speaker once shared with her partner.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the passage of time and how everything eventually fades away. She describes how the heater has become rusty and how its paint has chipped away. The heater, which was once a symbol of warmth and love, has now become a symbol of decay and loss.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes how her lover has left her. She talks about how she used to hold her lover close in front of the heater, but now she is alone. The heater, which was once a source of comfort, has now become a reminder of her loneliness and heartbreak.

Despite the sadness and loss that the speaker experiences, she still finds comfort in the heater. She describes how the heater still manages to keep her warm and how it reminds her of the love that she once shared with her partner. The heater, therefore, becomes a symbol of resilience and hope.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time and how everything eventually fades away. She talks about how the heater will eventually stop working and how it will be thrown away. However, she also acknowledges that the memories of her lover and the love that they shared will always remain with her.

"The Space Heater" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The heater, which is a symbol of warmth and love, becomes a symbol of decay and loss as the poem progresses. However, despite the sadness and heartbreak that the speaker experiences, she still finds comfort in the heater. The poem, therefore, becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to endure even in the face of loss and decay.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Olds uses imagery to convey the themes of the poem. The heater, which is a physical object, becomes a symbol of the love that the speaker once shared with her partner. The heater is described as being "old and rusty" and having "chipped paint," which serves to emphasize the passage of time and the decay that comes with it. The heater, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the relationship between the speaker and her lover.

Another aspect of the poem that is particularly striking is the way in which Olds uses language to convey the emotions of the speaker. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which serves to emphasize the raw emotions that the speaker is experiencing. The language is also very tactile, with Olds using words like "warm," "cold," and "rusty" to create a sense of physicality and immediacy.

Overall, "The Space Heater" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Olds' use of imagery and language serves to create a vivid and emotional portrait of the speaker's experiences. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to endure even in the face of loss and decay.

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