Poem Analysis - For What She Had Done

A Darkly Humorous Genesis Story

Shel Silverstein's "For What She Had Done" is a deceptively simple poem, cloaked in the language of a primal myth. The poem's initial tone is grim and resolute, quickly shifting to a transactional exchange between two morally ambiguous characters. The dark humor arises from the juxtaposition of barbaric acts with the seemingly innocent origins of a common social custom: giving flowers. Ultimately, the poem is a cynical commentary on human nature and the bizarre ways in which destructive impulses can become ritualized.

The Weight of Revenge and Justice

One of the central themes in the poem is the concept of justice, or rather, revenge disguised as justice. Omoo, driven by an unnamed grievance ("For what she had done"), seeks to punish a woman. However, he lacks the courage or capacity to do so himself. He outsources the violence to Ung, a figure associated with brute force and disregard for societal norms. The entire transaction, from the motivation to the payment, highlights the subjective and often skewed nature of justice. The fact that Omoo is willing to pay "equal weight" suggests that revenge holds significant value for him, a commodity worth trading for.

The Price of Violence: Bartering for Death

The poem also explores the theme of violence as a commodity. Ung, the outcast, operates outside the moral framework of the village. He is a killer by trade, and he demands payment for his services. The bartering system using "bear meat or lizard skins" underscores the primal nature of the transaction. Death becomes an economic exchange, devoid of emotional or ethical considerations for Ung. This reduces human life to a mere object of trade, illustrating a chilling detachment from the consequences of violence.

Flowers as a Symbol of Deception

The image of the flowers is perhaps the most striking and ironic symbol in the poem. Initially, one might associate flowers with beauty, innocence, or affection. However, in this context, they represent deception and premeditated murder. Omoo uses the flowers as a means of identification, ensuring that Ung kills the correct woman. This perversion of the flower's traditional symbolism underscores the poem's dark humor. The final line, "And so was begun the custom/Of giving bouquets and corsages," is a macabre punchline, suggesting that even the most seemingly benign customs might have origins rooted in violence and treachery. It forces the reader to question the origins of other seemingly innocent social rituals and question what dark past may lie beneath.

A Final Reflection on Societal Roots

"For What She Had Done" is a provocative poem that challenges our assumptions about the origins of social customs and the nature of human behavior. Silverstein masterfully crafts a tale that is both absurd and disturbing, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of unease. The poem suggests that even the most seemingly innocent traditions might be rooted in dark and violent pasts, serving as a subtle reminder of the complexities and contradictions inherent in human civilization.