Poem Analysis - You Begin

A Child's Introduction to the World

Margaret Atwood's "You Begin" is a gentle and profound introduction to the world as perceived by a child. The poem has a nurturing and instructional tone, guiding the reader through the basic elements of perception and understanding. The poem begins with simplicity and innocence, but shifts into a more complex awareness of the world's inherent difficulties and limitations. This creates a sense of both wonder and caution.

The Innocence and Complexity of Learning

One of the main themes in the poem is the process of learning and understanding the world. The poem begins with simple sensory experiences: "this is your hand, this is your eye." These concrete examples demonstrate a child’s initial encounter with reality. However, the poem quickly acknowledges the limitations of this simplistic view. The line "the world, which is fuller / and more difficult to learn than I have said" marks a turning point, suggesting that true understanding requires grappling with complexity and ambiguity. The initial instruction is therefore followed by the implication that there are things the child will have to learn by themselves, maybe even make mistakes and "smudge it that way."

The Power and Limitations of Language

Another significant theme is the power and limitations of language. Atwood emphasizes the importance of words as tools for understanding and connecting with the world: "Once you have learned these words / you will learn that there are more / words than you can ever learn." This highlights the paradox of language: it enables us to perceive and articulate our experiences, but it can also be limiting, since words can never fully encapsulate the richness and complexity of reality. The image of "the word hand floats above your hand / like a small cloud over a lake" beautifully captures this duality – the word is both connected to and separate from the physical object.

Color as Symbolism

Color serves as a recurring symbol throughout the poem, initially representing the simple, defined boundaries of a child's world. "The colors of these nine crayons" suggest a contained, manageable understanding. However, the smudging of "the red and then / the orange" represents a move beyond this limited perception, acknowledging the fiery, potentially destructive aspects of the world ("the world burns"). The concluding lines, "which is round but not flat and has more colors / than we can see," suggest a transition to a more expansive and nuanced view, where the world’s complexities extend beyond our immediate comprehension. The initial limitations of "nine crayons" give way to the boundless possibilities of unseen colors, hinting at the infinite dimensions of experience.

A Cycle of Beginning and Return

The poem's cyclical structure underscores the continuous process of learning and re-understanding. The final lines, "It begins, it has an end, / this is what you will / come back to, this is your hand," echo the poem's opening, creating a sense of closure while also implying that the journey of discovery never truly ends. The hand, a symbol of agency and connection, serves as both the starting point and the returning point, emphasizing the importance of grounding oneself in the tangible realities of experience amidst the vastness and complexity of the world. Ultimately, “You Begin” suggests that understanding is a lifelong journey of exploration and discovery, a constant cycle of learning, questioning, and returning to the foundational elements of self and the world.