Ova has Governesses by Mina Loy
The work explores the life of a young girl, Ova, who is trapped in a stifling environment shaped by her governesses and societal expectations. The narrative delves into her perception of life as a harsh and uninviting reality, contrasting the artificial happiness often presented in conventional settings. Ova's experiences are marked by a sense of disillusionment and a yearning for vitality that is absent in her surroundings. The governesses are depicted as conservative figures who respect the status quo, avoiding any engagement with the rawness of life that might disrupt their comfort. They embody a reluctance to confront the chaotic and vibrant aspects of existence, preferring instead to maintain a facade of order and decorum. This creates a stark dichotomy between Ova's inner turmoil and the external world, which is characterized by a monotonous routine and a lack of genuine emotional engagement. The imagery throughout the work is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a grim urban landscape that mirrors Ova's internal struggles. The oppressive atmosphere of London, with its soot-covered trees and lifeless pavements, serves as a backdrop to her feelings of entrapment. The text juxtaposes the dreariness of her environment with fleeting moments of color and beauty, symbolizing her desire for a more vibrant existence. As Ova navigates her world, she grapples with the constraints imposed by her upbringing and the expectations of those around her. The narrative captures her longing for authenticity and connection, highlighting the tension between her aspirations and the limitations of her reality. The work ultimately reflects on the broader themes of individuality, societal norms, and the quest for meaning in a world that often feels devoid of life and joy.
By Mina Loy · First published 1923 · Genre: Modernist Poetry, Symbolism, Feminist Literature · 378 words
First lines
Ova knows none of these pretty artifices of happy nurseries for foisting illusive sops on the untamable brute called Life For her the irredeemable anaemia of hour upon hour devoid of invitation to vitality drifts through her arteries Changed to her Mother's vagaries her Nurses and governesses pinch -- faced conservatives respect Life they let it alone lest it discomfort them before the awful comfort of the grave save them They have none of the elite audacity to tease its slumberous ferocity with a felicitous humour that sets it at defiance They never accompany its growls with clarinettes She is laid in London's under -- lap of unutterable lapidary -persistance of pavements into distance The grey air stricken with trees whose vernal hair is spoiled with soot The flux of Life she flows on of gruesome inner and outer architecture and dingy damask A twilit turbulence of routine in coma shot with stranded rockets of curative colour The ghoulish clouds hide God who should have made the world a musical -- box of coloured glass growing like gilly -- flowers and Phlox- -- - -- - -- with butterfly -- winged cherubim warbling in low -- branched fruit trees
What this Textopian page supports
Ova has Governesses is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mina Loy, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Mina Loy
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Modernist Poetry, Symbolism, Feminist Literature, Experimental Literature, Lyrical Poetry
- Length: 378 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ova has Governesses by Mina Loy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Ova has Governesses?
- How does this poem by Mina Loy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Modernist Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Ova Begins To Take Notice by Mina Loy
- Mexican Desert by Mina Loy
- Jews And Ragamuffins Of Kilburn by Mina Loy
- The Surprise by Mina Loy
- Costa Magic by Mina Loy
- Ignoramus by Mina Loy
Genres
- Modernist Poetry — The work employs innovative language and structure typical of modernist poetry, focusing on subjective experience and fragmented imagery.
- Symbolism — The use of vivid imagery and metaphor to convey deeper meanings aligns with the principles of symbolism.
- Feminist Literature — The exploration of female experience and critique of societal norms reflects feminist themes.
- Experimental Literature — The unconventional style and form challenge traditional narrative structures, characteristic of experimental literature.
Tags
Experimental Fiction · Modernist Literature · Stream-of-Consciousness · Feminist Themes · Psychoanalytic Theory · Autobiographical Elements · Fragmented Narrative · Non-Linear Structure · Playful Language · Wordplay · Satire · Social Commentary