The poem explores the theme of female identity and the constraints placed on women's lives by societal expectations. It describes a woman who is trapped between her desire for freedom and her obligations to her family and society. The speaker, Cassandra, is a symbol of feminine power and prophecy, but also of the silencing of women's voices. She is compared to King Hymen, a figure associated with marriage and fertility, highlighting the tension between female creativity and domesticity. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the limitations placed on her by patriarchal society, feeling stifled by the expectations of others. The poem ultimately presents a powerful critique of the societal norms that restrict women's lives and stifle their creative potential.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Modernism