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Advice to Women Poem Summary by Eunice de Souza

Advice to Women as a Feminist Poem, Advice to woman Summary, What are the themes in ‘Advice to Women?’, Advice to Women by Eavan Boland stands as a compelling and moving examination of feminist issues that questions the expectations society places on women. Boland’s poem, which was included in her 1980 collection “In Her Own Image,” is a powerful indictment of conventional standards pertaining to women’s behavior, appearance, and romantic relationships. The poet advocates for authenticity, self-empowerment, and role-redefining, and she challenges women to examine and resist these societal pressures in an authoritative and forceful manner.Advice to Women Poem Summary by Eunice de Souza

The poem reads like a set of directions, starting with seemingly unremarkable tasks and progressively getting into a deep criticism of the expectations put on women. Boland questions accepted ideas of beauty, criticizes unfair dynamics in partnerships, and exhorts women to pursue happiness and love in accordance with their own standards.

Advice to Women Poem Summary

Lines 1-5: The poem commences with a call to action, instructing women to engage in seemingly routine activities such as applying lipstick and washing their hair. Boland introduces these everyday actions with a sense of urgency, setting the stage for a deeper examination of societal pressures related to women’s appearance.

Lines 6-12: A critical tone emerges as Boland challenges traditional notions of beauty. The poet discourages women from shining excessively or wearing their foreheads “worn out with prayer,” hinting at the societal burden of maintaining unrealistic physical standards and conforming to established norms.Advice to Women Poem Summary by Eunice de Souza

Lines 13-18: Boland advocates for a rejection of traditional expectations and a resistance against being defined solely by external appearances. The mention of makeup and prayer as potentially constraining elements suggests a broader critique of societal norms that confine women to superficial roles.

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Lines 19-26: The consequences of conforming to societal expectations are explored. Boland suggests that the use of deodorants and beauty potions serves as a superficial attempt to conceal the true self. The poet implies that such remedies are inadequate for masking internal complexities and struggles.

Lines 27-33: Boland encourages women to resist the notion that they must be fragrant and scented to be valued. The mention of scent and perfume alludes to the commodification of women’s bodies and the societal expectation that women should prioritize their appeal to others.

Lines 34-42: Authenticity and self-assertion take center stage as Boland advises women to reject self-objectification. The metaphorical phrase “swallow mirrors like sleeping pills” underscores the need to abandon self-scrutiny and reject societal expectations that distort self-perception.

Lines 43-50: Boland challenges unequal dynamics in relationships, urging women not to love those who harbor animosity towards them. This confronts harmful relationship patterns where women may be expected to endure mistreatment, advocating for women to resist societal pressures that perpetuate such inequalities.Advice to Women Poem Summary by Eunice de Souza

Lines 51-59: The poem emphasizes self-worth and independence by discouraging women from waiting at home for their partners. Boland challenges the passive role often assigned to women in relationships, asserting that women should not sacrifice their own aspirations for societal expectations.

Lines 60-68: Boland encourages women to seek love free from submission and societal constructs. The phrase “rub into your scalp a love / that shows things exactly as they are” encourages women to embrace love that is honest, egalitarian, and unencumbered by societal expectations.

Lines 69-74: The poem concludes with a resounding call for women’s autonomy. Boland urges women to walk in the garden, symbolizing liberation and independence, and to look up at the stars. This imagery encourages women to embrace a life beyond societal expectations, symbolizing the pursuit of fulfillment on their own terms.Advice to Women Poem Summary by Eunice de Souza

Advice to Women Poem

Keep cats
if you want to learn to cope with
the otherness of lovers.
Otherness is not always neglect –
Cats return to their litter trays
when they need to.
Don’t cuss out of the window
at their enemies.
That stare of perpetual surprise
in those great green eyes
will teach you
to die alone.

Conclusion

Advice to Women by Eavan Boland serves as a compelling and assertive feminist manifesto that challenges and dismantles traditional societal expectations imposed upon women. Boland’s poem, published in her 1980 collection “In Her Own Image,” navigates through various aspects of a woman’s life, urging her to reject superficial standards of beauty, resist unequal dynamics in relationships, and embrace self-empowerment.

The poem’s directive tone, coupled with vivid imagery and metaphorical language, underscores the urgency of Boland’s message. By advocating for authenticity, independence, and the rejection of societal constructs, Boland invites women to redefine their lives beyond the constraints of societal expectations. “Advice to Women” stands as an enduring call for women to assert their agency, seek genuine love, and embrace their own paths to fulfillment.

FAQ:

1. Who is Eavan Boland?

Eavan Boland was an Irish poet, essayist, and professor. Known for her exploration of feminist themes, Boland’s poetry often challenged traditional gender roles and offered a reevaluation of women’s experiences and contributions in history and society.

2. What is the central theme of “Advice to Women”?

The central theme of “Advice to Women” revolves around the critique of societal expectations placed on women. Boland challenges traditional norms related to beauty, relationships, and women’s roles, advocating for authenticity, self-empowerment, and the rejection of limiting constructs.

3. How does Boland challenge traditional notions of beauty in the poem?

Boland challenges traditional notions of beauty by urging women to reject the superficial standards imposed on them. The poem critiques the pressure to conform to societal ideals and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and authenticity.

4. How does the poem address relationships and love?

The poem addresses relationships by critiquing unequal dynamics and advocating for genuine, egalitarian love. Boland urges women not to tolerate mistreatment and to seek relationships that are free from societal constructs, emphasizing mutual respect and equality.

5. Why does Boland advise women not to “love men who hate them”?

Boland advises women not to love men who hate them as a critique of harmful relationship dynamics. This line challenges the societal expectation that women should endure mistreatment in relationships and encourages them to resist such unequal and damaging partnerships.