Poem Analysis - Backdropp Addresses Cowboy

Introduction: A Critical Confrontation

Margaret Atwood's "Backdropp Addresses Cowboy" is a sharp critique of the romanticized and destructive figure of the American cowboy. The poem adopts a tone of weary resignation mixed with defiant assertion, tracing a shift from observing the cowboy's actions to directly confronting him. It challenges the myth of the heroic cowboy by exposing the violence and environmental degradation he leaves in his wake. The poem ends with a powerful statement of resistance and an assertion of the speaker's enduring presence.

The Cowboy as a Destructive Force

The poem deconstructs the cowboy archetype, portraying him not as a symbol of freedom and adventure, but as a purveyor of violence and destruction. The initial description of the cowboy as "starspangled" and "sauntering out of the almost-silly West" suggests a theatrical performance, a manufactured image. The "porcelain grin" hints at superficiality and a lack of genuine emotion. The image of him "tugging a papier-mache cactus on wheels behind you with a string" further diminishes his stature, revealing the artificiality of his world. The line "you are innocent as a bathtub full of bullets" is a stark paradox, highlighting the inherent contradiction of violence masked by a facade of innocence. He creates a "heroic trail of desolation," marked by "beer bottles slaughtered by the side of the road, bird-skulls bleaching in the sunset." This imagery demonstrates the real-world consequences of his actions, the environmental degradation and loss of life that accompany his romanticized journey.

Environmental Devastation and Invasion

A central theme revolves around the environmental impact of the cowboy's presence. The imagery of "tincans, bones, empty shells," and the phrase "the litter of your invasions" powerfully illustrate the desecration of the land. The speaker is not simply an observer, but a part of the landscape that is being violated: "I am the space you desecrate as you pass through." This suggests a parallel between the cowboy's treatment of the land and his treatment of the speaker, both of whom are objectified and used for his own purposes. This use of environmental imagery serves to connect the personal and the political, demonstrating how the cowboy's individual actions have wider, destructive ramifications.

Challenging the Narrative: Claiming Space

The final section of the poem marks a shift in power, as the speaker directly confronts the cowboy and reclaims her own agency. The question, "Then what about me / what about the I confronting you on that border / you are always trying to cross?" signals a resistance to being merely a passive backdrop. The speaker's identification as "the horizon / you ride towards, the thing you can never lasso" establishes her as an unattainable ideal, a constant reminder of the limits of the cowboy's power. More significantly, she is also "what surrounds you," encompassing the very landscape that he seeks to conquer. She becomes both the destination and the inescapable reality of his actions, forever present in "the litter of your invasions." The land will endure, even though it bears the scars of his presence.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The poem utilizes several potent symbols. The cowboy himself represents a mythologized version of American masculinity, linked to expansionism and a particular brand of individualism. The "border" he is always trying to cross can be interpreted as a literal geographic boundary, but also as a metaphor for the boundary between the idealized West and the reality of its violent history and environmental impact. The "horizon" is a recurring symbol of something forever out of reach, something the cowboy strives for but can never possess, symbolizing the futility of his quest for dominance. How much does the poem apply to the reader, are we ourselves contributing to the "litter" and destruction?

Concluding Thoughts: Enduring Resistance

"Backdropp Addresses Cowboy" is a powerful and resonant poem that deconstructs the myth of the American West and critiques its destructive impact on both the environment and the individuals it marginalizes. Through vivid imagery, a shift in tone, and a direct confrontation, Atwood challenges the cowboy's narrative of heroism and asserts the enduring presence of the land and the speaker's resistance. The poem's significance lies in its ability to expose the consequences of romanticized violence and to reclaim a voice for those who are often silenced or overlooked.