Siren Song
Conclusion
*** fix later In Margaret Atwood's poem "The Siren Song" from the "Songs of the Transformed" from You Are Happy, the use of a thematic structure and dramatized speaker and first person point of view alludes to the greek myth of sirens and combats the stereotype of women being weak and needing saving from men.
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Atwood uses a thematic structure to reflect the greek siren myths. Sirens were half birds half ladies who lured men to their death. A. Evidence: free verse poems with tercets. There is also sibilance throughout "song" "forces" "see" "skulls" Explanation: the tercets could symbolize the 3 sirens from the greek myth: Parthenope, Ligea, and Leucosia. The greek myth paints sirens as being very seductive and luring which is mimicked through the sibilances in the poem. The "S" sound is typically associated with snakes and persuasion B.Evidence: stanzas 1-3 v"the song that is irresistible:" "forced" Explanation: Stanzas 1-3 describe the myth and the past. The descriptive tone shows the image of men repeatedly being tricked into their death because of temptation. The listing, following enjambments, and atmosphere of mystery lead the reading on and mimic the sailors being drawn closer into their death.The word "forced" shows how men lost control once the siren started singing. C. Evidence: stanza 4 starts with a capital letter. Stanzas 4-6, "shall I tell you the secret", "I don't enjoy it here" Explanation: the honest tone, intimate register, enjambments, and rhetorical question continue to draw the reader closer. The speaker reveals her feelings and pretends to be vulnerable in these three stanzas. The siren seems to be playing the archetype of the damsel in distress who needs saving by the male hero. D. Evidence: stzs 7-9, "Help me!" "you" "only you" Explanation: In these 3 stanzas repetition of you through a desperate tone draws the reader closer and reflects the myth as the sailor wants to go to the siren. The shorter lines and end-stoppeds make it seem choppier creating a sense of urgency.
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Atwood uses the persona of the siren combat female stereotypes and portray how temptation can force men to their downfall. A. Evidence: "the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons" Explanation: The dark, grotesque image emphasizes how women are not as weak as they have traditionally been claimed to be. They have the power and intelligence to control men and even make them fall for their death. B.Evidence: "I don't enjoy it here squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical" Explanation: The speaker uses casual diction and an intimate register to deceive the man into thinking he needs to help her out of her misery. The speaker is saying that she needs a man to free her from her bird suit, a symbol of the gender stereotypes that demean women's sense of power leaving them feeling trapped (lines 11-12). An atmosphere of pity is created as the siren says she is not enjoying her time just looking beautiful with the other two sirens (lines 13-15) can ran refer to the loss of power women may feel from gender stereotypes where they are valued mostly for their looks. C. Evidence: repetition of "you" in strz 7-8 Explanation: The reader/man was more vulnerable to language that creates a sense of uniqueness. This led to his downfall: men can easily be blinded by temptation. D. Evidence: Alas it is a boring song but it works every time" Explanation: Because the speaker calls for help and ends with a bored and expecting tone by saying the song always works, it implies that the siren has successfully lured the man in (lines 18-25). Female success is possible and women are intelligent and clever, they do not need men to save them or give them fulfillment.
Introduction
Margaret Atwood has written several pieces that deal with the social role of women The Edible Woman (1969), Surfacing (1972), Lady Oracle (1976), The Handmaid's Tale (1983) "Siren Song" was published in 1974 in her collection, "You Are Happy" The "Songs of the Transformed" poem introduces the "Song poems" The poem sets the tone for the "Siren Song" by portraying men in a negative way It was inspired by the ancient Greek myth of the sirens Argonautica, Odyssey, Fabulae Sirens were believed to be half bird, half woman creatures who lured sailors to their death through song Thesis: In Margaret Atwood's poem "The Siren Song" from the "Songs of the Transformed" from You Are Happy, the use of a thematic structure and dramatized speaker and first person point of view help to allude to the greek myth of sirens and combats the stereotype of women being weak and needing saving from men.