I Only Am Escaped Alone to Tell Thee By Howard Nemerov - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

I tell you that I see her still
At the dark entrance of the hall.
One gas lamp burning near her shoulder
Shone also from her other side
Where hung the long inaccurate glass
Whose pictures were as troubled water.
An immense shadow had its hand
Between us on the floor, and seemed
To hump the knuckles nervously,
A giant crab readying to walk,
Or a blanket moving in its sleep.
You will remember, with a smile
Instructed by movies to reminisce,
How strict her corsets must have been,
How the huge arrangements of her hair
Would certainly betray the least
Impassionate displacement there.
It was no rig for dallying,
And maybe only marriage could
Derange that queenly scaffolding—
As when a great ship, coming home,
Coasts in the harbor, dropping sail
And loosing all the tackle that had laced
Her in the long lanes ....
I know
We need not draw this figure out.
But all that whalebone came from whales.
And all the whales lived in the sea,
In calm beneath the troubled glass,
Until the needle drew their blood.
I see her standing in the hall,
Where the mirror’s lashed to blood and foam,
And the black flukes of agony
Beat at the air till the light blows out.</p>

Poem Explanation and Interpretation

This evocative poem paints a vivid picture of a woman standing at the dark entrance of a hall, illuminated by a gas lamp. The imagery is rich and symbolic, with the "long inaccurate glass"—likely a mirror—reflecting "pictures... as troubled water," suggesting distorted or uneasy reflections of reality. The immense shadow between the speaker and the woman, described as a nervous giant crab or a moving blanket, adds a sense of tension and unease.

The poem reflects on the strictness of the woman’s corset and the elaborate hairstyle, symbols of societal expectations and constraints placed on women. These physical bindings are metaphorically compared to a ship’s rigging, which can only be loosened by significant life events such as marriage. The poem then shifts to a poignant reflection on the source of the corset’s whalebone, reminding us that these bindings come at a cost—the whales whose bones were taken from the sea, creatures living in calm beneath the "troubled glass" until harmed by human intervention.

Finally, the poem closes with a haunting image of the woman standing before a mirror "lashed to blood and foam," with "black flukes of agony" beating the air until the light goes out, symbolizing pain, suffering, and perhaps the end of an era or life.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is a powerful exploration of beauty, constraint, and sacrifice, themes common in literature addressing the roles and expectations of women in past centuries. The use of whalebone corsets historically reflects the physical and societal pressures women endured to conform to ideals of appearance and decorum.

The author, whose identity is not specified here, uses rich symbolism and vivid imagery to critique these constraints and evoke empathy for the woman’s plight. The poem’s tone is both nostalgic and critical, blending admiration for the woman’s regal appearance with sorrow for the cost behind it.

Reflections and Insights

Reading this poem invites us to reflect on how societal expectations can physically and emotionally bind individuals, especially women. The metaphor of the corset as a ship’s rigging is particularly striking, suggesting that personal freedom can be as restricted as a vessel tightly bound for a long journey. The poem also highlights the interconnectedness of human actions and nature, reminding us that the beauty we admire often has hidden costs.

Educational Value and Learning Points

Students and children can learn several important lessons from this poem:

• Symbolism and Imagery: The poem is rich with symbols (corset, ship rigging, shadow) and vivid imagery that can help students understand how poets convey deeper meanings beyond literal words.
• Historical Context: Understanding the use of whalebone corsets provides insight into past fashions and societal norms, opening discussions about how culture shapes behavior and expectations.
• Environmental Awareness: The mention of whales and their suffering introduces environmental themes, encouraging students to think about the impact of human consumption on nature.
• Emotional Expression: The poem’s mood and tone teach how poetry can express complex emotions like nostalgia, pain, and critique simultaneously.

Practical Applications and Life Lessons

• In literature classes, this poem can be used to teach metaphor, symbolism, and historical context.
• In environmental studies, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of exploiting natural resources.
• In social studies, it opens dialogue about gender roles and societal pressures.
• Students can relate the poem’s themes to personal experiences of feeling constrained or pressured, fostering empathy and self-awareness.

Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What does the "long inaccurate glass" symbolize in the poem?
2. How does the poet describe the woman’s corset and hairstyle? What do these descriptions suggest?
3. Why does the poet mention whales and whalebone?
4. What feelings does the shadow between the speaker and the woman evoke?
5. What is the significance of the poem’s ending, where the light blows out?

Answers

1. The "long inaccurate glass" symbolizes a mirror that reflects distorted or troubled images, suggesting an uneasy or unclear reality.
2. The corset is described as strict, and the hairstyle as huge and carefully arranged, indicating the woman’s appearance is tightly controlled by social expectations.
3. The mention of whales and whalebone highlights the origin of the corset’s material, reminding readers of the natural cost behind human fashion and constraints.
4. The shadow evokes a sense of nervousness, tension, and possibly a looming threat or barrier between the speaker and the woman.
5. The ending signifies pain and suffering, with the light going out symbolizing an end—perhaps of life, hope, or the oppressive era the poem critiques.

This poem offers a rich tapestry of themes and imagery for students to explore, encouraging critical thinking about history, society, and the environment through the lens of poetry.