The Gardener 59: O Woman
The Gardener 59: O Woman - meaning Summary
Woman as Ideal and Image
The speaker addresses a woman as both divinely made and culturally fashioned by men. Poets, painters and gifts of nature repeatedly adorn and idealize her, turning her image into art and ornament. The poem suggests that male desire overlays and amplifies her beauty, producing an image that is partly real person and partly projected fantasy. It contrasts tangible presence with the dreamlike ideal imposed from outside.
Read Complete AnalysesO woman, you are not merely the handiwork of God, but also of men; these are ever endowing you with beauty from their hearts. Poets are weaving for you a web with threads of golden imagery; painters are giving your form ever new immortality. The sea gives its pearls, the mines their gold, the summer gardens their flowers to deck you, to cover you, to make you more precious. The desire of men's hearts has shed its glory over your youth. You are one half woman and one half dream.
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