Journey to the interior
Text 4; 'Journey to the Interior' by Margaret AtwoodThis poem is written in free verse and presents a multi-dimensional exploration of the concept of journey. Some read it merely as a description of a physical journey that describes the early exploration of the Canadian interior, but to do so is to ignore the many complex shades of meaning that are also present. Atwood's layered approach allows her to explore and delve into hidden recesses of landscape that are physical and metaphysical in nature. Her mental wanderings take her on a quest to discover the meanings associated with identity and nationhood. This offers access and insight into the poet's mind and soul.The reader is guided into a private and unexplored world, evocatively described via symbol and imagery that is rich with unexpected meaning. Atwood provides the signposts for our 'journey' into her 'interior' by references to geographical and personal surroundings. Negative connotations imply that this inner terrain represents a heart of darkness', an inner sanctum of the soul. Atwood shows that within the darkness of her mind, there is a 'vacant wilderness' where words are 'pointless', as no one can hear you scream. Vulnerability increases, for like
Identity becomes another 'landscape' that, like geographical locations, needs to be charted and mapped. The opening line is modified slightly so that instead of looking for 'similarities' between the physical external world and the domestic inner world we are now examining the 'difference' as our expedition moves ever inward. Life intervenes and prevents you really exploring the quality of your environment, causing you to get side-tracked and forcing you to retrace your steps, returning the way 'I passed yesterday. The language itself is simple and the poem is presented as a monologue, reflective and self-evaluative on tone. It becomes 'sodden as a fallen log', serving no purpose but to haunt her as she walks in circles around it in her mind. The poem exists as an extended metaphor where the idea of journey becomes synonymous with self-reflection and examination. The physical level can be maintained throughout, but so too can the secondary or netal level which is much more evocative. Very few poems can be read on such fundamentally separate levels. Her 'shoes among the brambles under the chair' is a jarring image and the fact that it is somewhere where it shouldn't be reinforces the clutter and disorder of her home as well as her mind. Poetic FeaturesSimiles and recurring motifs are used to allows Atwood to chart the main links and discrepancies between the multi-dimensional journeys explored within the poem. Her confusion and doubt within this unexplored territory reflects the 'danger' of becoming lost in this metaphysical world, where a 'compass is useless' and the movement of the sun is erratic and fails to give her reliable bearings. Maps, charts, landmarks, compasses and words become increasingly useless as travel guides within the landscapes the poet is talking about. Such examination shows that 'this is a poor country' which must be experienced first hand before it can be truly comprehended: 'not known / as rough except by hand'.
Common topics in this essay:
Motif Superficially,
Features Similes,
Atwood Overview,
,
'sodden fallen log',
metaphysical world,
canadian landscape,
hills trees,
'sodden fallen,
'compass useless',
fallen log',
domestic world,
physical metaphysical,
confusion doubt,
physical journey,
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Acceptance Essays
