Poem Analysis - Against Still Life

Introduction: Craving Depth Beyond the Surface

Margaret Atwood's "Against Still Life" is a passionate plea for genuine connection and understanding. The poem begins with a rejection of superficial observation, symbolized by the orange. It then explores the speaker's intense desire to penetrate the silence and uncover the hidden depths of another person, shifting from frustration and a hint of violence to a patient and hopeful longing for complete revelation. The tone evolves from impatience and almost aggression to quiet contemplation and anticipation.

The Theme of Unsatisfying Surface

One of the poem's central themes is the inadequacy of surface appearances. The orange, initially presented as a simple object, becomes a symbol of the superficial encounters and limited knowledge the speaker rejects. The opening lines emphasize this: "Orange in the middle of a table: / It isn’t enough / to walk around it / at a distance, saying / it’s an orange." The speaker isn't content with simply labeling things; she craves a deeper understanding. This is further emphasized by the parallel with the silent lover, whose "smile contained" mirrors the orange's unrevealed essence. The poem thus establishes a direct correlation between the speaker's frustration with the orange and her dissatisfaction with a relationship that lacks depth.

Imagery and the Symbolism of the Orange

The orange is a potent symbol that evolves throughout the poem. At first, it represents superficiality and the speaker's aversion to accepting things at face value. The desire to "peel the / skin off" signifies a yearning to uncover hidden layers and complexities. However, as the poem progresses, the orange transforms into a symbol of potential and mystery. The speaker imagines finding within it "an egg / a sun / an orange moon / perhaps a skull," suggesting that the seemingly simple object holds within it the essence of life, death, and the universe. This transformation mirrors the speaker's changing perspective on the silent lover; both the orange and the person contain hidden depths waiting to be discovered.

From Violence to Patience: A Shift in Perspective

The poem navigates a shift from an almost violent desire for revelation to a patient acceptance of the need for time and quiet observation. Initially, the speaker expresses a forceful need to break through the silence, fantasizing about cracking the lover's skull "like a walnut, split it like a pumpkin / to make you talk." This violent imagery underscores the speaker's frustration with the lack of communication. However, this impulse gives way to a more thoughtful approach. The lines "But quietly: / if I take the orange / with care enough and hold it / gently" signal a change in tactic. The speaker realizes that genuine understanding requires patience and careful attention, not force.

Unveiling Inner Landscapes

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the human mind as a vast and complex landscape. The speaker envisions the lover's "skull" containing "mountains / garden and chaos, ocean / and hurricane; certain / corners of rooms, portraits / of great-grandmothers." This evocative imagery suggests that each individual is a universe unto themselves, filled with history, memories, and emotions. The final lines, "all I need to know: / tell me / everything / just as it was / from the beginning," encapsulate the speaker's ultimate desire for complete and unfiltered connection, highlighting the profound human need to be understood and known fully.

Conclusion: The Quest for Authentic Connection

"Against Still Life" is a compelling exploration of the human desire for authentic connection and the frustration that arises when faced with superficiality and silence. The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism, particularly the evolving image of the orange, to illustrate the speaker's journey from impatience and a hint of aggression to quiet contemplation and hopeful anticipation. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true understanding requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to delve beneath the surface to uncover the complex and multifaceted nature of the human experience. The final image of the inner landscape reminds us that within each person lies a universe waiting to be explored.