Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"She Considers Evading Him" by Margaret Atwood is a poignant and introspective poem that explores themes of identity, transformation, and the complexities of relationships. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Atwood delves into the speaker's contemplation of radical self-change as a means of navigating the challenges of a relationship.

The poem begins with the speaker's acknowledgment that it is easier to change herself than to change another person. This realization sets the stage for a series of imaginative transformations that the speaker considers, each serving as a metaphor for different strategies of evasion and self-preservation.

The first transformation the speaker considers is becoming a part of nature, "grow[ing] bark and / become a shrub." This image symbolizes a desire for protection and camouflage, an escape into the natural world where the complexities of human relationships cannot reach.

The speaker then contemplates regressing to a primal state, "the woman image left / in cave rubble," embodying ancient symbols of fertility and anonymity. This transformation suggests a retreat to a time before individual identity, where the speaker could be absorbed into the collective memory of humanity, untouched by the specific challenges of her current situation.

Alternatively, the speaker considers accelerating her life, adopting the guise of old age, "disguise myself in the knuckles / and purple-veined veils of old ladies." This transformation represents a leap over the remaining years of potential conflict, assuming a persona that commands respect and is perhaps overlooked, finding safety in the invisibility of age.

Finally, the speaker imagines a dramatic conclusion, feigning death to achieve the ultimate evasion. This fantasy of "collapse across your / bed clutching my heart" and adopting a "waxed farewell smile" underlines the depth of the speaker's desire to escape the relationship, willing to consider even the pretense of death as a solution.

The poem concludes on a note that is both macabre and humorous, acknowledging the impracticality of these imagined transformations. The phrase "which would be inconvenient / but final" suggests a wry acceptance of the complexity of the situation, recognizing that while these fantasies of transformation and evasion offer a temporary emotional respite, they do not provide a viable solution to the underlying issues.

"She Considers Evading Him" is a testament to Atwood's ability to weave complex emotional landscapes with rich, evocative imagery. The poem invites readers to reflect on the lengths to which individuals might go to protect their sense of self within challenging relationships, and the inherent tension between the desire for change and the acceptance of reality. Through the speaker's imaginative considerations, Atwood explores the universal themes of identity, transformation, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of emotional turmoil.

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