C. Srygley
AP Literature and Composition
10 January 2012
Siren Song by Margaret Atwood Analysis
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don't enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don't enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Initial: “Siren Song,” a poem by Margaret Atwood, is a poem of vivid imagery through islands, birds, and death. It seems as though the song causes death through entrapment and curiosity. The introductory lines of Atwood states including an irresistible song that forces men to leap overboard. Secondly, Atwood states that that this song is one that nobody knows because everyone who heard it is dead. The speaker of the poem seems to be the inflictor of death, and thus it is assumed that the speaker is the siren song singer. A second look at the poem ponders the question, what if the speaker is like a bird watching the action of the song and its persuasion on the seaman inflicting death upon them.
Paraphrase:
This is an irresistible song
That everyone would like to
Learn but cannot.
A song that forces men
to jump out their vessel in squadronseven though
they can see the danger and death
A song none can recite
because all who hear it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Allow me to tell you a secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?I don’t enjoy it heresitting on this island
looking scenic and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer, this song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are uniqueat last. This song
may be boring
but works every time.
That everyone would like to
Learn but cannot.
A song that forces men
to jump out their vessel in squadronseven though
they can see the danger and death
A song none can recite
because all who hear it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Allow me to tell you a secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?I don’t enjoy it heresitting on this island
looking scenic and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer, this song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are uniqueat last. This song
may be boring
but works every time.
SWIFTT:
S: With regards to the syntax of “Siren Song,” the sentence structure is advanced and complex. Nearly one sentence takes majority of the first and second stanza. The speaker is asking questions of persuasion and mystery, which may explain why I think the speaker could be the singer or siren. However, references to birds and feathers are made that show in imagery of the bird above the siren as the actions take place.
W: The diction of the poem also reflects the persuasive and mystic tones of the poem. Words like secret, mystical, magical reflect the timid yet deadly nature of the sirens as well as their persuasion.
I: The imagery of a siren persuading man to jump overboard by singing is seen. Further an image of beauty turned deadly is portrayed; also, an image of the true form of the siren, a bird, is stated. There is also a statement of three sirens but one with a bird suit.
F: In terms of figurative language, there are no true metaphors or similes; however, references to Greek mythology are evident.
T: The tone of this poem is evidently persuasive and mysterious. It is evident that the sirens are bored of the constant singing to attract their men; however, the find happiness in their death, thus the persuasion and beauty in death is explored.
T: The underlying theme is trickery and manipulation to inflict death. Further, the beauty of music is twisted to inflict pain and misery due to the attractive and persuasive nature of the siren’s song.
W: The diction of the poem also reflects the persuasive and mystic tones of the poem. Words like secret, mystical, magical reflect the timid yet deadly nature of the sirens as well as their persuasion.
I: The imagery of a siren persuading man to jump overboard by singing is seen. Further an image of beauty turned deadly is portrayed; also, an image of the true form of the siren, a bird, is stated. There is also a statement of three sirens but one with a bird suit.
F: In terms of figurative language, there are no true metaphors or similes; however, references to Greek mythology are evident.
T: The tone of this poem is evidently persuasive and mysterious. It is evident that the sirens are bored of the constant singing to attract their men; however, the find happiness in their death, thus the persuasion and beauty in death is explored.
T: The underlying theme is trickery and manipulation to inflict death. Further, the beauty of music is twisted to inflict pain and misery due to the attractive and persuasive nature of the siren’s song.
Final: Initially, I thought the poem was a mixture of elements including sirens in the eyes of birds seeing the action occurs. After the analysis, I have concluded that there are three total sirens that are persuading the reader and the seamen; however, one is detached and seemingly bored of her actions. I think that the entire poem has a sense of persuasion and mystery but a necessary need for death.
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