rita dove's "persephone abducted"

Grief, Loss and Violation

“Persephone Abducted”

An observer speaks of what he/she imagines happened as Persephone was abducted focusing on the daughter and mother’s reaction to the ordeal. He or she seems to justify Demeter’s rebellion and speaks against those who abuse their power for selfish reasons.

About the Poem

Form – sonnet (non-traditional); functions like a Shakespearean sonnet with four quatrains and a couplet; though there is no rhyme scheme or space to separate the lines, one can tell that where one quatrain stops and the other begins by the way the ideas are grouped in the lines.

About the Poem

Structure – The poem starts focusing on the actual abduction, looking also at Persephone’s and Demeter’s resistance. It ends with a reference how the speaker seems to feel about being oblivious to this abduction. It starts and ends with the fact that she was unjustly taken – reflecting the main idea in the title – the injustice of it all.

About the Poem

Style – elevated language; strong use of imagery, especially those which are violent

Tone – defiant, sympathetic, cynical/skeptical

Mood – serious, reflectiveThemes – Power vs. Powerlessness,

Defiance of Power/Authority, Social Inequality, Rebellion against Injustice, Struggling with Grief, Mother’s Love

About the poem

Line by Line Analysis

The first four linesLines 1 - 4

An account of Persephone being kidnapped

Mother and daughter’s response

The first four lines

Lines 1 - 2“She cried out for Mama, who did not

hear. She left with a wild eye thrown back”

Lines 3 - 4“…she left with curses, rage that withered her features to a hag’s.”

Lines 3 - 4“…she left with curses, rage that withered her features to a hag’s.”

Demeter before the abduction

Demeter after the

abduction

The second group four linesLines 5 - 8

The speaker seems to argue on behalf of Demeter.

A reason is given for Demeter’s rebellion.

Sympathy for mothers who suffer loss.

Lines 5 - 8

Line 5 “No one can tell a mother how to

act:”

Line 6 - 7“there are no laws when laws are

broken, no names to call upon. “

Lines 7 - 8“…Some say there’s nourishment

for pain,and call it Philosophy.”

The last four linesLines 9 - 10

Line 9 - 12“That’s for the birds,

vulture and hawk,the large ones who praisethe miracle of flight becausethey use it so diligently.”

Line 9 - 12“That’s for the birds,

vulture and hawk,the large ones who praisethe miracle of flight becausethey use it so diligently.”

The closing coupletLines 13 - 14

Functions as a conclusion to the argumentThese two lines work as a unit bringing us

back to the abduction itself but focusing on the deception that was involved, which makes the act more heinous.

Lines 13 - 14

Lines 13 - 14“She left us singing

in the field, oblivious to all but the ache of our own bent backs.”

“Singing” highlights how unaware they were.

They too are suffering, being used by those

above them.

They highlight issues of social inequality – how those in power or in a higher class/status in society use their power for evil, while those below them suffer at their hands.

Dove makes this poem, not just about a mother’s love for her child but seeks to speak out for the masses who also experience anguish. She extends sympathy to the poor as well.

The last six lines