Now Bare to the Beholder's Eye

Name: Now Bare to the Beholder's Eye
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The poem explores themes of femininity, societal expectations, and the transformation of identity through the lens of clothing. It begins with a vivid description of discarded garments, symbolizing the shedding of societal constraints and the liberation of a woman from her restrictive attire. The imagery of a "denuded citadel" suggests a fortress of modesty and decorum that has been abandoned, allowing the true self to emerge. As the poem progresses, it contrasts the public persona of women, represented by their elaborate clothing, with their private selves, which are hinted at through the remnants of their attire. The garments serve as a metaphor for the barriers women face in expressing their true identities. The mention of "Cupid's foe" and "obdurate corset" highlights the struggle against romantic and societal pressures. The poem also reflects on the duality of women's experiences, where they don vibrant, floral attire during the day, embodying societal expectations, but at night, they shed these layers, revealing their authentic selves. This transformation is depicted as a joyous release, culminating in the image of a "laughing girl" who emerges unencumbered by societal norms. Overall, the work captures the tension between societal roles and personal freedom, celebrating the moment of liberation when a woman can embrace her true identity, free from the constraints of her public persona.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Satire · 276 words

First lines

NOW bare to the beholder's eye / Your late denuded bindings lie, / Subsiding slowly where they fell, / A disinvested citadel; / The obdurate corset, Cupid's foe, / The Dutchman's breeches frilled below.

Those that the lover notes to note, / And white and crackling petticoat.

From these, that on the ground repose, / Their lady lately re-arose; / And laying by the lady's name, / A living woman re-became.

Of her, that from the public eye / They do enclose and fortify, / Now, lying scattered as they fell, / An indiscreeter tale they tell: / Of that more soft and secret her / Whose daylong fortresses they were, / By fading warmth, by lingering print, / These now discarded scabbards hint.

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Now Bare to the Beholder's Eye is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1885 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1885 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Satire, Lyric, Victorian Literature
Length: 276 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetic forms.
Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and the celebration of femininity align with Romantic ideals.
Satire — The poem critiques societal norms regarding women's attire and modesty, using humor and irony.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.