Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's poem "Her Body is Private" explores themes of privacy, autonomy, and resistance against societal pressures to expose one's self. The poem vividly portrays a woman who chooses to guard her inner life and physical self despite various external pressures to reveal and commodify them.

The poem begins with a clear stance on privacy, emphasizing the woman's choice to keep her body private "in spite of all the sweet inducements to disrobe in the public eye." This sets the stage for a critique of contemporary culture's obsession with exposure and visibility. The reference to "sunbathe in the hot glow of the spotlight" suggests the pervasive influence of media and public scrutiny, which promises fleeting moments of attention and recognition.

Wilner critiques the commodification of personal exposure, noting how "cash flows to those who wear their heart, not on their sleeve...but on their naked wrist, or butt, like a tattoo." This imagery conveys how deeply personal aspects of one's life are commercialized and displayed for public consumption. The comparison of intimate disclosures to tattoos underscores their permanence and visibility, highlighting the irreversible nature of exposing one's inner self.

The poem also touches on the societal pressure to disclose personal secrets, often framed as therapeutic or liberating. The line "emoluments, of shrinks who swear that secrets eat the lining from the guts" reflects the notion that revealing secrets is necessary for mental health. However, Wilner counters this by suggesting that this pressure can be intrusive and harmful. The woman's decision to keep her memory and body private is an act of defiance against these expectations.

Wilner employs mythological imagery to underscore the woman's autonomy and strength. Her memory is likened to a tree guarded by serpents, evoking the myth of the Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit. This image conveys the preciousness and sanctity of her inner life, protected fiercely against intruders. The woman’s response to those who approach is to "turn the blank side of her words, a shield to the light," using her words as a defensive tool to maintain her privacy. The reference to Medusa, a figure who traditionally turns others to stone with her gaze, is subverted here. Instead of being the one looked at and turned to stone, Medusa wields the shield and controls the gaze, symbolizing the woman's empowerment and control over her own narrative.

"Her Body is Private" ultimately celebrates the power of withholding and the right to personal boundaries. In a world that constantly demands transparency and exploits vulnerability, the woman's choice to remain private is portrayed as a powerful and subversive act. The poem advocates for the value of internal life and the strength found in guarding one's secrets, suggesting that true autonomy lies in the ability to control what is shared and what is kept sacred. Through its rich imagery and mythological references, Wilner’s poem champions the dignity of privacy and the importance of maintaining control over one's own story.

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