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=**"Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal" by Sandra Gilbert (1984)**=

//Kimberly Nabar//

The brilliant stills of food, the cozy glossy, bygone life--mashed potatoes posing as whipped cream, a neat mom conjuring shapes from chaos, trimming the flame-- how we ached for all that, that dance of love in the living room, those paneled walls, that kitchen golden as the inside of a seed: how we leaned

on those shiny columns of advise, stroking the //thank yous//, the firm thighs, the wise closets full of soap.

But even then we knew it was the lies we loved, the lies we wore like Dior coats, the clean-cut airtight lies that laid out our lives in black and white.

Way 1: First Impressions
My initial first impression of "Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal" by Sandra Gilbert is that it is a poem representing the stereotypical, modern-day "housewife." I was excited to be paired with this text for this project because issues of gender discrimination are particularly interesting to me. Gilbert writes about women who strive to mirror the perfection that is displayed in the popular magazine "The Ladies' Home Journal."

As I read the first stanza, I assumed the women were content with their lives, except for their desire to be even more like the images in the magazine. However, the last stanza paints a different picture. Gilbert demonstrates that the women are in fact not as happy as their exterior may show. The perfection that they strive so hard to achieve is really a lie.

The main questions that came to mind as I read this text for the first time were: What is the significance of the references to "mashed potatoes posing as whipped cream" (Gilbert 2-3), "black and white" (Gilbert 15), and "closets full of soap" (Gilbert 11)? Also, what is the tone of this piece? Is it written in a criticizing, mocking, sympathetic, or depressed nature?

**Way 2: Engaging with the Text**
After hearing this poem read out loud a few times, there are a couple of sounds I notice now that were not as apparent before. The first and second stanzas contain a lot of adjectives. "Brilliant", "cozy" (Gilbert 1), "glossy" (Gilbert 2), and "shiny" (Gilbert 9) all stick out to me. They describe things that would belong in the good, or priveleged life. What stands out the most to me about the last stanza is the term "lies" (Gilbert 13-15). It is used three times within three short lines. It is obvious that Gilbert wanted to bring attention to the falseness of the women's "shiny" (Gilbert 9) exteriors.

Another thing I noticed when hearing this poem out loud was the lack of rhyming. The only terms that rhyme, "airtight" (Gilbert 14) and "white" (Gilbert 15), are found in the last stanza. Even though the rest of the text does not follow an actual rhyme pattern, I was impressed by how the phrases flow in a rythmic way. The flow of the text sounds somewhat musical when heard aloud, making the poem sound almost as if it could be a ballad instead of a sonnet.

Way 3: A Point about Form and its Relationship to Content
Gilbert directly identifies her poem as a sonnet in the title itself "Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal". There are two significant concepts in relation to the form of a sonnet and this poem. The first being that a sonnet is generally written about something pleasant; however, the message of this poem is in no way a pleasant one. Gilbert ends the poem on a very critical note, where she is almost bashing the women for living such "lies" (Gilbert 13).

**Way 3: Another Point about Form and its Relationship to Content**
The other ironic way that this form is related to the message of the poem is how it is imperfect in comparison to the typical, textbook form of a sonnet. A typical English sonnet usually contains three quatrains and one couplet. They also generally follow a particular rhyme scheme (Brown and Yarbrough 84). The interesting part about Gilbert's poem is that it outwarldy claims to be a sonnet; but does not mirror the classical sonnet form. This concept of displaying the title but not aheiving the perfection of its form is in direct correlation with the women who desire to hold the title of perfection outlined in "The Ladies Home Journal," but are never able to achieve that true perfection. It is an act of posing to be something that they are truly not.



**Way 4: Unpacking an Instance of Figurative Language**
One instance of figurative Language in "Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal" is the simile "that kitchen golden; as the inside of a seed" (Gilbert 7-8). In this phrase, the golden color of kitchens is being compared to the inside of a seed. The denotative meaning behind this comparison is that the kitchens are of golden color and/or character, just like the golden color of the center of a healthy seed. Gilber could have used the colors yellow or cream to describe and compare the two, and she could have used a different means of comparison such as a coin or sunset; however, these two terms are necessary because they give way to a deeper meaning. The term "golden" (Gilbert 7) makes the reader think of warmth and luxury, so the kitchen is being described as a room that is warm and inviting. In addition to the color comparison, the inside of a seed represents something protected and noursished. The kitchen is often viewed as a safe gathering place within the home, just as the inside of a seed is safe from the outside elements. This simile connects to the overall message of the poem by serving as an example of one way the women strive to match the perfection illustrated in the magazine. Afterall, this is the type of magazine that would dedicate an entire section to showcase the perfect kitchen, and give tips on how to make your kitchen look the same. It was not uncommon for women to want to follow every instruction to copy such a flawless room.



Way 4: Unpacking Another Instance of Figurative Language
Another instance of figurative language is evident in the use of the simile "Dior coats" (Gilbert 14). The literal meaning of the phrase "we knew it was the lies we loved, the lies; we wore like Dior coats" (Gilbert 13-14), is that women donned lies that covered their true selves just like a large coat would cover their bodies. The figurative language behind this comparison is packed away beneath the term "Dior coats" (Gilbert 14). This particular brand of clothing is a high-status symbol. The brand emulates luxury, style, sophistication, and wealth. The image that the women in this poem are trying to mimic with their "lies" (Gilbert 13) is exactly that of the image depicted by Dior clothing. The figurative meaning behind this phrase exemplifies the overall message of the entire poem, which is that the women are living underneath lies in which they attempt to make their outter appearance look perfect and glamorous, meanwhile hiding their true imperfect inner selves.



Way 4: Unpacking Another Instance of Figurative Language
One more instance of figurative language in Gilbert's poem is the image in the phrase "the clean-cut airtight; lies that laid out our lives in black and white" (Gilbert 14-15). The denotative meaning behind this sentance is that the lies the women were living were seamless and void of errors, just like something that is in black and white- no gray areas or mistakes. On the other hand, the connotative meaning of this use of imagery is that it makes the reader picture perfection. When you think of something that is "black and white" (Gilbert 15), you picture something that is clean with distinct lines and no errors. In addition, the term is interesting because "black and white" (Gilbert 15) can also be referring to the text itself found in the magazine. In reference to the poem in its entirety, this phrase shows how the women follow the magazine's text word-for-word in an attempt to copy the image of flawless and error-proof perfection.



Way 5: Analyzing the Setting
Gilbert uses terms such as "cozy" (Gilbert 1), "golden" (Gilbert 7), "neat" (Gilbert 3), and "living room" (Gilbert 6) to describe the setting for the poem. These describing words, along with the term "trimming the flame" (Gilbert 4), conjure images and feelings of warmth and comfort. It is obvious that the setting is meant to be a warm and inviting home where everything is perfect and neat, just like you would see pictured in "The Ladies' Home Journal". This is a modern-day home with "paneled walls" (Gilbert 7) and "closets full of soap" (Gilbert 11). The contraindication to this warm and cozy setting is heard in Gilbert's tone. The author takes on a more negative tone near the end of the poem. This tone shows that although this home is the symbol of perfection, there is nothing perfect about it at all.  The high level of verisimilitude present in "Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal" makes the setting seem very real. The women's desire to appear perfect and their actions taken to look good are very much in line with the characteristics of many modern women. Gilbert used the term "ached" (Gilbert 5) to describe how the women want all those perfect things. Ached is a palpable human emotion that shows the women want such status so badly that they are hurting for it. Gilbert makes such good use of realistic characteristics that the reader can easily relate with the setting of the poem.



Way 6: Identifying and Analyzing Point of View
Gilbert uses the term "we" (Gilbert 5) when referring to the women in the poem, therefore the point of view in "Sonnet: Ladies' Home Journal" is set in the first person. The interesting point about the first person view is that Gilbert is implying that she is in fact one of the women that her poem is criticizing.



Way 7: Analyzing Complexity, Ambiguity, and Difficulty
One form of ambiguity within the poem is the tone itself. It is difficult for the reader to understand whether Gilbert is using a sarcastic, mocking, or depressed tone when she speaks of the women and explains how they are living lies. If she were reffering to other women you could assume that she is mocking them and possibly poking fun at their lifestyle; however, since she considers herself one of them by referring to the women as "we", you may want to assume that she is sad about such behavior and is using a depressed or sympathetic tone. When grasping the bigger picture, you can see that maybe this confusion is part of the main message- maybe the women themselves are confused about what they want in life. It is possible that Gilbert wants her tone to mimic the women's own uncertainties about themselves.  Another form of ambiguity in the poem is the phrase "stroking the //thank yous//, the firm thighs, the wise; closets full of soap" (Gilbert 10-11). The reader can understand why the women would appreciate the "//thank yous//" and "firm thighs" because these are some things that make up a perfect image; what is confusing are the "closets full of soap" (Gilbert 11). It is hard to grasp the significance of having a closet that is full of soap seeing as soap is just a simple item used to clean and disinfect. It is possible that because soap makes you think of cleanliness, it was used to symbolized the polished and clean housewife and home. On the other hand, the soap may be a demonstration of how the women keep so much in stock to continually clean and disinfect themselves and their home, just like their own image.

Way 8: Considering Canonicity
"Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal" has a high degree of canonicity because it has a high aesthetic value, historical relevance, and universal relevance. Gilbert writes a very aesthetically pleasing poem with her innovative use of words and phrases. Words like "flame" (Gilbert 4), "dance", and "love" (Gilbert 6) play with the readers' emotions, whereas terms like "as the inside of a seed" (Gilbert 8) entice the reader to explore its multiple meanings. The mention of "firm thighs" (Gilbert 10) and "Dior coats" (Gilbert 14) are perfect representations of the 1980's historical context of women's popular culture. Universal relevance is portrayed throughout the poem when Gilbert demonstrates common human emotions by explaining how the women yearn for this perfection, and how they ultimately live their lives through lies.

Way 9: Biographical Context
Sandra Gilbert is an accomplished woman to say the least. The Sandra M. Gilbert website explains that she is currently the professor of English Emerita at the University of California, Davis. She is the author and co-author of many great collections of literature. Many of the pieces Gilbert has created are focused on the second and third waves of feminism. Among other awards, Gilbert was named "Woman of the Year" in 1986. On a more personal level, she is the widowed mother of three and grandmother of four. Gilbert's lifetime of hard work and impressive accomplishments give rationale for her feministic view. "Sonnet: The Ladies Home Journal" demonstrates Gilbert's ability to recognize the bigger picture in reference to women and modern stereotypes and expectations. Her role as a mother and wife also enhance her perspective of those roles in her literature.

Way 10: Historical and Cultural Contexts
"Sonnet: The Ladies Home Journal" was published in the year 1984. By this time, women's rights had evolved to the point in which laws were in effect to enforce equality. Even though the issue of gender discrimination was widely recognized, there were still issues of discrimination and stereotyping occuring every day. Women were stereotyped as the all-American stay-at-home moms who were perfect at keeping house and keeping the family. Images in the media portrayed these perfect "Susie homemaker" peronas everywhere that women tried to model themselves after. "The Ladies' Home Journal" is a perfect example of one of the media sources that women felt pressured to replicate. Gilbert's reference to the magazine and the way women pretended to be just like its images shows how real the gender stereotypes and pressures were.



**Way 11: Theoretical Application**
Feminist criticism is one of the most appropriate tools of interpretation to use for this poem. From this angle, you can see how the women in Gilbert's poem are oppressed. They feel pressure to pose as the perfect housewife who makes the perfect home and cares for the perfect family. Feminist theorists would ask "Why is there no talk of husbands or males within the text?" and "What is the significance of references to things like 'firm thighs' (Gilbert 10) and leaning on 'columns of advice' (Gilbert 9)?" The reference to toned thighs demonstrates the perfect body image that women feel pressured to mimic, and the phrase about leaning on columns of advice might be suggesting that women need to be supported by other people's instructions and are unable to think for themselves.

Way 12: Another Theoretical Application
Psychoanalytical theorists would look at what these women may be holding back. They would pose the question "What are their suppressed feelings underneath the envy and desire for perfection?" It is possible that their yearning for perfection results from insecurities within themselves. The reader can also assume that the women are unsatisfied with their lives and/or themselves, which is why they live behind so many lies.

Way 13: Unifying Interpretation
After applying each of the first twelve ways of looking at a literary text I have now come to a much deeper understanding and appreciation of Sanda Gilbert's poem "Sonnet: The Ladies' Home Journal." My conclusive analysis of this piece is that it is a poem that criticizes modern women of the 1980s who try too hard to achieve the image of perfection as showcased in such media as "The Ladies' Home Journal." In the beginning of the poem, Gilbert uses many adjectives to paint a picture of this fabulous lifestyle for her readers; but towards the end, she takes on a somewhat sarcastic tone that reveals how this "glossy, bygone life" (Gilbert 2) is really a lie. A few hints within the text give clues to the overall meaning of the poem, such as the fact that the poem is labeled a sonnet even though it does not follow the classical sonnet format. Other hints are found within the figurative language behind the golden kitchen, "Dior coats" (Gilbert 14), and the phrase "black and white" (Gilbert 15). (See project way 4). All of these pieces of the poem merge into the same final message that Gilbert is trying to get across about women who try too desperately hard to appear perfect, when in reality they are living beneath many lies.

My interpretation of this poem is furthered by the analysis of setting, point of view, and ambiguities. Gilbert's poem is written in the first person and set up in a warm and inviting home, just like you would expect to see in the magazine. The different ambiguites and the point of view itself are challenging to understand and leave the reader with questions. The uncertainties within these pieces of the text relate to the overall message of the poem in that a relation can be seen between the inconsistencies of the text and the inconsistencies of the fake women themselves. It is difficult to understand exactly who these women are, because they spend so much time pretending.

When taking into account biographical and historical/cultural contexts, you can see that Gilbert has a background that allows her a great deal of insight into the feminism issues. Among other qualities, the poem relates seamlessly with the culture of the 1980s, which makes it a very canon-worthy piece. Lastly, by looking at this piece through the lens of different theorists, I was able to see the main message from different views. The feminist view gave insight into the cultural and political aspect, while the psychoanalytical view gave a different interpretation from the viewpoint of suppressed emotions. "Sonnet: Ladies' Home Journal" is a beautifully written piece that challenges the reader to look beyond the surface and explore many different possibilities within the text. The poem also requires the reader to test their own beliefs and boundaries about the touchy subjects of feminism and realism. Gilbert brings light to an entire new concept about middle-aged women and their own societal pressures.