Feathery
How many sentences are in the poem?
7 sentences
How many stanzas are in the poem?
9 stanzas
How many lines are in the poem?
27 lines
Where does the poem shift?
Line 10 “Shall I tell you the secret?”
What’s an example of imagery?
“they see the beached skulls”
“squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical”
“the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons”
What kind of poem is this?
Free verse
What is the result of the Siren Song on the men who hear it, as described by the speaker?
“forces men to leap overboard in squadrons”
What is the main theme of the poem?
The power of manipulation/temptation and deception
What is the tone and mood in the beginning of the poem?
Seductive and inviting
Who is the speaker, and who is the intended audience?
The speaker is one of the mythical Sirens, and the poem is a complex dialogue with two audiences. The speaker addresses the reader in the beginning and end, creating a sense of intimacy, but shifts to addressing a male sailor in the middle, with the "you" in the poem representing a potential victim.
What is the effect of the repetition in lines 20 and 23? “to you, only to you.” (20) “Only you, only you can,” (23)
convinces the victims (him) that he is the only person special enough to hear her true feelings and offer a rescue. This manipulation ensures he approaches close enough to be destroyed
What does the poem reveal about men and women?
Men fall for the trap because the siren makes them feel special and irreplaceable which appeals to their egos
Women are trapped in an enforced, boring, and tedious role of the seductress.
What is the author, Margret Atwood, known for?
Prose fiction and feminist perspective
Identify the central paradox of the Siren's method.
The Siren lures men not with seductive beauty, but with an anti-seduction—a complaint of boredom and a plea for rescue.
What are some characteristics of Contemporary poetry?
Free verse, heavy imagery, and many themes
What kind of language does the author use in the poem? (Name 2 out of 3)
Manipulative/ Rhetorical, Mythological, and Conversational
The speaker calls the song "The song nobody knows." In what way is this true, and in what way is it a lie?
True: The actual sound is never heard, only the manipulative message. Lie: The message (the trap) is known to the speaker and has been successfully used many times.
What is the "song" the speaker refers to, and what is its purpose?
The "song" is a complex mix of irresistible charm, flattery, and a call for help, designed to deceive sailors into their death. It is the siren's deadly lure, which works every time.
Why is the "secret" an irresistible lure, despite the speaker admitting it's "boring"(line 27)?
Its irresistibility is psychological, as it confirms the listener's belief that he is the chosen, unique individual capable of understanding and saving her.
Is the siren’s plea genuine? Why or why not?
No, the siren's plea is part of her deceptive act. She presents herself as a victim to manipulate men into a false sense of pity and heroism.