Poem Analysis - They Eat Out

Introduction: A darkly humorous take on ambition

Margaret Atwood's "They Eat Out" is a darkly humorous and surreal poem that blends the mundane with the fantastical. It begins with a morbid debate about funeral costs and quickly escalates into a bizarre transformation scene, culminating in a commentary on ambition and perception. The poem’s tone shifts from cynical and pragmatic to absurd and satirical, leaving the reader to ponder the cost of greatness and the subjectivity of value. It is a poem that plays with expectations, using the ordinary setting of a restaurant to explore extraordinary themes.

The Cost of Immortality: Exploring mortality and legacy

One of the poem's central themes is the tension between mortality and the desire for lasting recognition, what the speaker refers to as “immortality.” The initial argument "over which of us will pay for your funeral" sharply contrasts with the speaker's subsequent ability to "make you immortal." This juxtaposition highlights the human obsession with both death and legacy. The speaker seems to hold the key to transcending death through art or memory, yet the cost is a loss of the beloved's original self. The poem suggests that the drive for greatness can be destructive, turning a loved one into something unrecognizable and perhaps unwanted.

From Love to Weapon: Analyzing distorted love and transformation

The poem also explores the complexities of love and the potential for transformation within a relationship. The speaker's act of plunging the "magic fork" into the beloved's heart, though violent, is presented as a necessary step towards achieving immortality. This action can be interpreted as a metaphor for the sacrifices and alterations that occur within relationships, especially when one partner's ambition takes precedence. The transformed beloved, now a superhero figure, is no longer fully human, becoming a spectacle for public consumption. The transformation underscores how love can be twisted and distorted by personal ambition, leading to a situation where the individual becomes a “weapon/or only a new advertisement.”

Symbols of Change: Analyzing the fork and superhero imagery

Several potent symbols contribute to the poem's meaning. The "magic fork" represents the power to create, transform, or even destroy. Its association with food, a basic necessity, underscores the idea that even mundane objects can possess extraordinary potential. The image of the beloved in "blue tights and a red cape" is a clear reference to superhero iconography. This signifies the attainment of fame and extraordinary power, but also suggests a loss of individuality and authenticity. The fact that some diners are bored by the new superhero suggests that fame is fleeting and subjective, and that even extraordinary achievements can become commonplace. Does the fact that he is wearing blue tights indicate the speaker is male? This leaves room for interpreting the gender dynamics within the poem.

Ambition's Bitter Aftertaste: Concluding the poem

In conclusion, "They Eat Out" is a thought-provoking poem that uses surreal imagery and dark humor to explore themes of mortality, ambition, and the complexities of love. The speaker's final statement, "I liked you better the way you were, but you were always ambitious," encapsulates the central conflict: the tension between genuine connection and the pursuit of greatness. The poem suggests that achieving immortality or fame often comes at a significant cost, not only to oneself but also to those who love us. Atwood's poem leaves us pondering the value of authenticity versus ambition and the potential for love to be both a source of creation and destruction.