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  1. The central idea of the poem revolves around a craving for a rich and varied existence, rejecting passivity in favor of active, tangible experiences. The use of the metaphorical language, combined with the exploration of diverse settings, by the poet allows her to enhance the emotional impact and deRead more

    The central idea of the poem revolves around a craving for a rich and varied existence, rejecting passivity in favor of active, tangible experiences. The use of the metaphorical language, combined with the exploration of diverse settings, by the poet allows her to enhance the emotional impact and depth of the speaker’s desires. The poem suggests a profound longing for a life lived fully, embracing both the challenges and the diverse physicality of human experience. It also the explores themes of unrestrained experience, passionate love, self-transformation, and the desire for deep emotional connection and admiration.

    For Desire Summary

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  1. As the poem is written in free-verse, it follows no rhyme scheme. Though it has no set rhyme scheme, it is not monotonous as ther is internal rhyme present throughout the poem. For Desire Summary

    As the poem is written in free-verse, it follows no rhyme scheme. Though it has no set rhyme scheme, it is not monotonous as ther is internal rhyme present throughout the poem.

    For Desire Summary

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  1. The poem revolves around the themes of sexuality, eroticism and physicality. The poet explore her sexuality and her desire for an intimate physical connection with her lover. She wants to explore the far and wide reaches of her sexual desire and wants her lover to be along with her. The theme of eroRead more

    The poem revolves around the themes of sexuality, eroticism and physicality. The poet explore her sexuality and her desire for an intimate physical connection with her lover. She wants to explore the far and wide reaches of her sexual desire and wants her lover to be along with her. The theme of eroticism is very prevelante in the poem as the poet describes how intent all she craves the physicality of her relationship. In the lines of the poem, one can find a plethora of erotic and sexual elements. This is done in order to emphasise the control and confidence the poet has on her sexual life.

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  1. Hyperbole- hyperbole is the use of exaggeration in a poem. In this poem, the poet uses exaggeration when talking about how intensely she wants to experience the physical aspects of her love. Hyperbole is used in the lines “suffer for love until/ it nearly kills me”. Alliteration - Alliteration is reRead more

    1. Hyperbole- hyperbole is the use of exaggeration in a poem. In this poem, the poet uses exaggeration when talking about how intensely she wants to experience the physical aspects of her love. Hyperbole is used in the lines “suffer for love until/ it nearly kills me”.
    2. Alliteration – Alliteration is repetition of the same letter or sound in a line. In the poem the poet uses alliteration in the lines “delicious diaspora,” “Swooning and sighing,” “Staggering and flailing”.
    3. Simile- simile is used when the poet directly compares one thing to another by using the words “as” or “like”. In this poem, the poet uses simile in the lines “Swooning and sighing like Victorian girls” and “Like I’m nothing but a broken bit of scratched glass”.
    4. Symbolism- symbolism is when the poet uses words to symbolize a concept, person or idea in a poem. In this poem, the dogs roaming freely to symbolize a longing for unrestrained experiences and the playful interactions associated with freedom. 
    5. Metaphor- metaphor is used when the poet makes an undercut comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”. In the, the poet compares her body to “cities and small towns”. She also compares her lover to the “ocean” and her loser to a “broken bit of scratched glass”.
    6. Enjambment – enjambment is when the line is continued onto the next line without any pause. In the poem, the poet uses enjambment to create an internal connection between the concept and the idea presented by the poet.

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  1. As the poem is written in free-verse, it does not follow a set rhyme scheme. There are a few instances of rhyming words in some lines. What Do Women Want? Summary

    As the poem is written in free-verse, it does not follow a set rhyme scheme. There are a few instances of rhyming words in some lines.

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  1. The main themes of the poem revolve around the body of a woman and her femininity. The poem focuses on the body and clothing of the poet. The red dress is desired by the poet because she wants it to cling to her body and reveal everything without actually doing so. The red dress also stands for herRead more

    The main themes of the poem revolve around the body of a woman and her femininity. The poem focuses on the body and clothing of the poet. The red dress is desired by the poet because she wants it to cling to her body and reveal everything without actually doing so. The red dress also stands for her sensuality, sexuality and femininity The poet wishes to wield the red dress in order to take control of her sensuality and femininity. She wants to have the power to be desired by men. This gives her confidence in her being a woman.

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  1. In the poem the central ideas of patriarchy, power, and sexuality are interwoven throughout. The speaker’s defiance of societal expectations, especially regarding how a woman should behave or dress, serves as a commentary on patriarchal norms. The red dress becomes a symbol of rebellion, a manifestaRead more

    In the poem the central ideas of patriarchy, power, and sexuality are interwoven throughout. The speaker’s defiance of societal expectations, especially regarding how a woman should behave or dress, serves as a commentary on patriarchal norms. The red dress becomes a symbol of rebellion, a manifestation of the speaker’s refusal to conform and a declaration of her right to define her own identity. The repetition of the desire for the red dress highlights the determination behind the poet’s quest for self-expression and resistance against societal norms. Overall, the poem delves into the complexities of power dynamics, gender roles, and personal agency within the context of societal expectations.

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  1. Hyperbole- hyperbole is the use of exaggeration in a poem. In this poem, the poet uses exaggeration when describing the dress and herself. Hyperbole is used in the lines “I want it too tight” and “I want to walk like I’m the only/ woman on earth”. Alliteration - Alliteration is repetition of the samRead more

    1. Hyperbole- hyperbole is the use of exaggeration in a poem. In this poem, the poet uses exaggeration when describing the dress and herself. Hyperbole is used in the lines “I want it too tight” and “I want to walk like I’m the only/ woman on earth”.
    2. Alliteration – Alliteration is repetition of the same letter or sound in a line. In the poem the poet uses alliteration in the lines “I want it too tight”, “sleeveless, backless, / this dress” and “goddamned/ dress”.
    3. Simile- simile is used when the poet directly compares one thing to another by using the words “as” or “like”. In this poem, the poet uses simile in the lines “I’ll pull that garment/ from its hanger like I’m choosing a body” and “I’ll wear it like bones, like skin”.
    4. Symbolism- symbolism is when the poet uses words to symbolize a concept, person or idea in a poem. In this poem, the “red dress” symbolizes power, control, sexuality, femininity and identity.
    5. Repetition- Repetition is a literary device in which a word, phrase, or line is repeated for emphasis or effect. The phrase “I want” has been repeated 10 times in the poem to emphasize the poet’s desire.
    6. Anaphora- anaphora is when a phrase is repeated in a stanza. In the poem, the phrase “I want” is repeated at the beginning of the first three lines of the poem.
    7. Metaphor- metaphor is used when the poet makes an undercut comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”. In the, the poet refers to pigs as “slick snouts”. She also metaphorically compares the dress to a second body.
    8. Enjambment – enjambment is when the line is continued onto the next line without any pause. In the poem, the poet uses enjambment to create an internal connection between the concept and the idea presented by the poet.

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  1. The poem explores two main themes: Sensual Love and Impermanence of the Body. The poet talks about a couple expressing their love physically. They believe that through this intimate connection, they can truly understand and be close to each other. The act of lovemaking gives the speaker confidence,Read more

    The poem explores two main themes: Sensual Love and Impermanence of the Body. The poet talks about a couple expressing their love physically. They believe that through this intimate connection, they can truly understand and be close to each other. The act of lovemaking gives the speaker confidence, allowing her to know her partner’s body so well that she can even find their tattoos in the dark. Another theme explored is the impermanence of the Body. The poet reflects on the fact that all living things, including themselves, are subject to the natural law of death and decay. This idea of impermanence scares the speaker and makes her doubt her own confidence.

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  1. The main ideas in the poem revolve around sensual love and the impermanence of the body. It delves into how physical intimacy strengthens the bond between a couple, providing a deep understanding of one another. This connection boosts the poet's self-assurance, enabling her to know her partner's bodRead more

    The main ideas in the poem revolve around sensual love and the impermanence of the body. It delves into how physical intimacy strengthens the bond between a couple, providing a deep understanding of one another. This connection boosts the poet’s self-assurance, enabling her to know her partner’s body intimately, even in darkness. Additionally, the poem contemplates the inevitability of mortality and death for all living beings, which scares the poet and shakes her self-assuredness.

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