Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Female Body" by Margaret Atwood is a provocative and multifaceted exploration of how the female body is perceived, treated, and commodified in society. Through various vignettes, Atwood delves into themes of objectification, commodification, and the complex relationship between physical bodies and societal expectations. The poem employs a tone that oscillates between irony, critique, and stark realism to dissect the myriad ways in which female bodies are both idolized and devalued.

The poem opens with a letter from the Michigan Quarterly Review, setting the stage for a discussion on "The Female Body," immediately flagged as a "capacious topic." Atwood's response, through the poem, underscores the diversity of experiences and perceptions related to the female body, challenging the notion of it being a singular, cohesive subject.

Atwood humorously and critically navigates the daily rituals associated with maintaining the female body, presenting it as a "topic" that is controversial, aging, and subject to societal expectations and personal insecurities. This personal narrative quickly expands into a broader commentary on how female bodies are accessorized, sexualized, and standardized, listing items like "garter belt, panti-girdle, crinoline" as accessories that come with the "basic Female Body."

The poem shifts to a more surreal depiction of the female body as a transparent plastic model used for educational purposes, highlighting the dissected and observed nature of female anatomy in both scientific and societal contexts. This dehumanization continues with the discussion of a doll, presumably a Barbie, critiqued by characters debating its influence on a young girl's perception of beauty and anatomy.

Atwood further explores the exploitation and commercialization of the female body in advertising and media, where it is used to sell products and becomes a "natural resource, a renewable one." This section of the poem critiques the reduction of female bodies to objects of consumption and the internalization of these roles by individuals.

The poem also touches on reproductive rights and the biological aspects of sex and gender, juxtaposing human sexuality with that of other species to question societal norms surrounding pleasure, reproduction, and pair-bonding.

In a striking turn, Atwood examines the female brain, juxtaposing it against the male brain to comment on gender differences in perception, communication, and emotional connection. This section serves as both a critique of gender stereotypes and a call for empathy and understanding.

The conclusion of the poem is a vivid, almost mythical depiction of the male pursuit of the female body, encapsulated in various metaphors that highlight the desire for control, possession, and ultimately, the unattainable ideal of wholeness. Atwood uses this narrative to critique patriarchal desires to domesticate and subdue female autonomy and agency.

"Female Body" is a complex and layered critique of the societal, cultural, and personal dimensions of female embodiment. Atwood's use of varied perspectives, from the mundane to the mythical, invites readers to reflect on the diverse and often contradictory ways in which female bodies are viewed, controlled, and celebrated. Through satire, irony, and poignant imagery, Atwood challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of the female body and to acknowledge the individuality, dignity, and agency behind the physical form.

POEM TEXT: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/2016/04/from-the-archive-the-female-body-by-margaret-atwood/

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