Poem Analysis - We Are Hard

Introduction: The Double-Edged Sword of Truth

Margaret Atwood's "We Are Hard" explores the complex and often painful dynamics of truth and lies within relationships. The poem unveils a world where honesty becomes a weapon, and vulnerability is laid bare. The tone is initially accusatory and critical, gradually shifting towards introspection and uncertainty. Atwood uses stark imagery and probing questions to dissect the nature of communication, love, and physical intimacy. Ultimately, the poem grapples with the ambiguity of truth and its destructive potential when wielded carelessly.

The Weaponization of Honesty

One of the central themes in the poem is the destructive potential of truth when used as a weapon. The first stanza immediately establishes this idea: "We are hard on each other / and call it honesty." The act of being "hard" is directly linked to "honesty," suggesting that truth is not always benevolent. The image of "choosing our jagged truths / with care and aiming them across / the neutral table" emphasizes the deliberate and calculated nature of these verbal attacks. The word "jagged" implies that these truths are sharp and painful, while "aiming" suggests a deliberate intention to inflict harm. The "neutral table" serves as a stark contrast, highlighting the battlefield that a simple conversation can become when honesty is used aggressively.

Lies, Truths, and the Erosion of Trust

The poem delves into the contrasting nature of lies and truths, particularly as delivered by different people within the relationship. The speaker finds the other person's "lies / are more amusing" because "you make them new each time." This suggests a level of creativity and perhaps even a harmlessness to these lies, compared to the speaker's own truths, which are "painful and boring" and "repeat themselves over & over." This repetition could indicate a limited perspective or an inability to move past certain issues. The speaker even suggests the other person owns few truths, thereby justifying the fabrications. This section highlights the erosion of trust as the speaker contrasts the other person's "amusing" lies with the painful repetition of her own truths.

Love as a Double-Edged Sword

The theme of love's inherent ambiguity is explored in the crucial question: "If I love you / is that a fact or a weapon?" This poignant question encapsulates the central conflict of the poem. Love, typically perceived as a positive force, is here considered as a potential tool for manipulation or control. The speaker questions whether the declaration of love is genuine or merely a strategic move in the power dynamics of the relationship. This uncertainty casts a shadow over the entire poem, highlighting the difficulty of discerning true feelings from calculated actions.

The Silent Language of the Body

The final stanza introduces the powerful image of the body as a potential source of lies and truths. The speaker questions whether the "body lie[s] / moving like this," and whether the "touches, hairs, wet / soft marble my tongue runs over" are all "lies you are telling me?" However, the poem ultimately concludes that "your body is not a word, / it does not lie or / speak truth either." This suggests that the body exists outside the realm of language and deception. The body's presence, its "here or not here," is the only tangible reality. The tactile imagery of "wet / soft marble" evokes a sense of sensuality and vulnerability, contrasting with the earlier harshness and judgment. This section explores the complexities of physical intimacy and whether it can provide a refuge from the verbal battles of the relationship.

Conclusion: The Precarious Balance of Connection

"We Are Hard" is a powerful exploration of the fragility of relationships and the complex interplay of truth, lies, and love. The poem reveals how easily honesty can be twisted into a weapon, and how difficult it is to navigate the treacherous terrain of human connection. Atwood's stark imagery and probing questions invite readers to confront the uncomfortable realities of their own relationships and to consider the precarious balance between vulnerability and self-protection. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true connection requires a willingness to move beyond the desire to inflict pain and to embrace the inherent ambiguity of human experience. The ending, with its focus on the body's simple presence, perhaps offers a glimmer of hope for a connection that transcends the complexities of language and deception.