I need a analyzing essay on the poem a valediction. It should be 1000 words long, No plagiarism, MLA format, Here are some guidelines to follow; From the Latin term for “concept,” a poetic conceit
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A valediction
When the speaker in Donne’s “A Valediction” claims that the lady would “grow erect", he undermines her femininity with the use of an extended metaphor of “stiff twin compasses” to reaffirm the “firmness” of the dominant, male-centered social structure. These sorts of statements happen numerous times throughout the poem.
To establish his authority by using his intellect the narrator uses scientist language in this poem, such as “trepidation of spheres”, referring to the shape of the earth, and “like gold to airy thinness”, the intellect he had of expansion of gold to paper like thinness. His high level of knowledge that very few had at that time. The historical conditions of this poem are in the 17th century, England, a time where the religious figures such as churches of England held power and knowledge. Which was only passed down to the powerful religious men within the churches or whoever held a great amount of influence in the society. The common man would have no knowledge of any means of education like this, let alone the women who were objectified and had no rights, as the highly influential men kept such knowledge within their circle. The wife of the narrator, which the poem is aimed towards, would be incapable of understanding these scientific metaphors, so she would be unable to go against what he wills due to lack of intellect. Also in the 3rd stanza where the narrator referenced the shape of the earth the narrator mentions how men who are higher-up in the sense of intellect are even frightened by earthquakes, meaning that since men are scared, who knows how the women would react. As well in the 6th stanza the narrator uses his understanding of the durability of gold to refer to their love, meaning no matter how far they go or as much as they get beat they won't grow apart, he refers to scientific terminology to show their unity.
To establish his authority and reassure that action will only happen due to his will the narrator uses metaphor and simile in the poem, such as “stiff twin compasses” referring to a fixed measuring instrument which only measures when you move it and, “fixed foot” referring to being stationary and not moving. When the narrator in 7th stanza refers to the compasses he compares it to him and his wife where he is the one who makes the decisions and his wife will do as he says. Also, in the 7th stanza where the narrator told his wife to be like “fixed foot” he refers to her as the stagnant piece of the compass while he is the moving component, she only moves under his will.
To put away her femininity and adopt masculine traits while doing feminine duties the narrator uses verbs such as “fixed foot”, “grows erect” and “firmness” which typically are masculine attributes and are usually used in a sexual sense. The narrator is implying to show more masculine traits and still perform feminine actions when it comes to sexual activities. The particular attribute he is referring to in “firmness” and “grows erect” is to have his wife stand strong because he needs a strong group of people to carry out his mission.
Due to all these arguments the narrator wants his wife to be emotionless and strong. First he undermines femininity by using scientific notions, knowledge he a man of God would know, he tries to make her feel stupid and inferior, not allowing her to reciprocate due to lack of intellect. He then goes on to reassure his authority by referring to her as objects that move at the will of him and tries to cover it with love and unity. Also he places contradictory expectations on her by portraying her in masculine traits well expecting her to perform feminine in sexual duties. All of this is done to enforce his dogmatic views of male centrism prevalent back in those times (17th century).
