Poetic Analysis of \"Divorces\" in Contemporary Poetry

Poetic Analysis of "Divorces"

In contemporary poetry in American literature, conventional themes about the deconstruction of the family institution through the emergence of divorce as a legal marital practice have become prevalent. Legally, divorce as a legal issue is already accepted by the American society, but in the highly rigid and conservative society in America, divorce as a social phenomenon is not widely accepted especially when put into moralistic standards. As a social phenomenon, divorce is a topic commonly discussed in American literature, particularly poetry.

The theme of the constructive norm of marriage and its anti-thesis, divorce, is the main idea expressed in the poem, "Divorces." The poem, which will be the unit of analysis of this paper, will be studied through the themes of the following ideas: (1) description of the process of marriage; (2) divorce as an unpopular practice in the society; and (3) the subjective point-of-view of the poet/Speaker about marriage and divorce. Aside from these themes, the poetic analysis will include a discussion of the elements used in the poem such as imagery, simile, symbolism, and speaker and tone. These poetic elements are used in conducting a textual analysis of the poem, while a structural analysis of the poem is also included, which provides a study of the ordering of the Speaker's moods and themes found in the poem. Thus, through an analysis of the text, structure, and meaning of the poem "Divorces," this paper will provide a study of the poem in order to extend to the audiences the issue of the convention of marriage and divorce as it relates to the contemporary American society and literature.

The use of poetic elements in "Divorces" such as imagery, simile, symbolism, speaker, and tone creates vivid description that the poet uses in order to extend the underlying message of divorce and marriage. The poem is rich in details, especially imagery, in portraying the different moods the Speaker takes in the poem. Imagery is evident in the lines, "when your ears were just / as sure as your silversweet tongue / was sure that the soup was oversalted" and "you always were / really sensitive really / tongue ears nose fingers almost / everything." These lines show how the body's senses are used to illustrate the character of the main character in the poem, who is described as a resolute (first line) and sensitive (second line) individual. Noticeably, these two characteristics are used to illustrate the normal characteristics people have to go through in the process of marriage and divorce. The first characteristic, which is being resolute, are evident in individuals when they go through the process of undergoing the process of marriage. Sensitivity also supports the main character's resolute character as she embarks into marriage life. However, these characteristics evident in the first part of the poem is countered at the end of the poem, where divorce sets in and bitterness after a relationship happens to the individual, resulting to criticisms by her community. This instance is evident in the following line in the poem: "And all of the people laughed / even the brotherly foreign / maitre d'... / and then suddenly / you got scared because his eyes / didn't lie..." Similes are used in order to support imagery in the poem and are found in the line, "when your ears were just / as sure as your silversweet tongue / was sure that the soup was oversalted." Symbolism, on the other hand, is used to represent the concepts of marriage and divorce. The line "when you were SURE__ / I mean when your ears were just / as sure as your silversweet tongue..." describes the nature of the woman when she was just yet contemplating marriage; however, divorce is symbolized at the end of the novel through the line, "because you knew / like the suop WAS oversalted / you knew he lied..."

The order or structure of the poem assumes a shift in attitude and character of the main character in the poem as narrated and expressed by the Speaker/poet. At the start of the poem, certainty is illustrated, showing the sign of resoluteness and happiness in the prospect of entering marriage. This characteristics is followed by doubt as the marriage starts to struggle to survive, followed by clarity, wherein the main character realizes that the relationship she has won't work. Lastly, the character of acceptance is evident as the character resorts to divorce, accepting the reality that the marriage did not work out ("You were very, very far away and / could see").