Magasins Du Louvre by Mina Loy
The work presents a vivid tableau of a department store, focusing on the interplay between consumerism, identity, and the human experience. It opens with a striking image of dolls and their glassy eyes, symbolizing innocence and the artificiality of commercial spaces. The dolls, propped and displayed, evoke a sense of stillness and silence, contrasting with the bustling environment of the shop. The narrative shifts to the interactions between two women, depicted as "cocottes," who navigate this space. Their presence introduces themes of desire, observation, and the complexity of human relationships. The women’s contrasting expressions—one with a straight mouth and the other with a smile—suggest a tension between authenticity and performance in social interactions. As the women engage with the dolls, their momentary connection reveals deeper, primal instincts, hinting at a shared understanding that transcends the superficiality of their surroundings. The act of looking becomes a central motif, with the glass eyes of the dolls reflecting the voyeuristic nature of society. The women’s eyes, entangled with the carpet's pattern, symbolize a sense of shame and the weight of societal expectations. The work critiques the commodification of identity and the ways in which individuals are reduced to mere objects within a consumerist framework. The glass eyes serve as a metaphor for the disconnection between appearance and reality, suggesting that while the external world may be vibrant and alluring, it often lacks depth and genuine connection. Overall, the narrative encapsulates a moment of introspection within a bustling commercial space, exploring themes of observation, identity, and the often superficial nature of human interactions in a consumer-driven society. The imagery and language evoke a sense of melancholy, as the characters navigate their desires and the constraints imposed by their environment.
By Mina Loy · First published 1919 · Genre: Poetry, Modernism, Surrealism · 309 words
First lines
All the virgin eyes in the world are made of glass Long lines of boxes Of dolls Propped against banisters Walls and pillars Huddled on shelves And composite babies with arms extended Hang from the ceiling Beckoning Smiling In a profound silence Which the shop walker left trailing behind him When he ambled to the further end of the gallery To annoy the shop-girl All the virgin eyes in the world are made of glass They alone have the effrontery to Stare through the human soul Seeing nothing Between parted fringes One cocotte wears a bowler hat and a sham camellia And one an iridescent boa For there are two of them Passing And the solicitous mouth of one is straight The other curved to a static smile They see the dolls And for a moment their eyes relax To a flicker of elements unconditionally primeval And now averted Seek each other's surreptitiously To know if the other has seen While mine are inextricably entangled with the pattern of the carpet As eyes are apt to be In their shame Having surprised a gesture that is ultimately intimate All the virgin eyes in the world are made of glass.
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Magasins Du Louvre is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mina Loy, dated 1919 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Mina Loy
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernism, Surrealism, Feminism, Experimental Literature
- Length: 309 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs lyrical language, imagery, and rhythm characteristic of poetry.
- Modernism — The themes of alienation and the exploration of perception reflect modernist concerns.
- Surrealism — The dream-like quality and unconventional imagery align with surrealist principles.
- Feminism — The portrayal of women and societal roles suggests feminist themes.
Tags
Surrealist Poetry · Experimental Literature · Stream-of-Consciousness · Modernist Movement · Avant-Garde Writing · Feminist Themes · Psychoanalytic Influences · Parisian Setting · Luxury and Excess · Social Commentary · Economic Critique · Consumer Culture