Siren Song, By: Margaret Atwood

Original

This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadron
seven though they see beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique

at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.

Initial Reaction
Before I read the poem for the first time, I thought “The Siren Song” was about a sirengoing off to warn people on a boat. After reading the poem for the first time, the first thing that came to my mind was, “Why was this woman crying out for help?” Furthermore, I did not understand the “bird suits” and the “feathery maniacs.”

Paraphrased

This song is for everyone
For those who want to learn: The song
Is irresistible:

The song that forces men
To jump into the army
Even though they see death

The song nobody knows
Because people who heard it
Are dead, and other people can’t remember
Can I tell you a secret
And if I do, will you get me
Out of this place?
I don’t like it here
Stranded on this island
Looking beautiful and mythical
With these two maniacs,
I don’t like singing
This trio, fragile and valuable

I will tell you a secret.
To you, and to you only.
Come closer. This song

Is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, you can,
Because you’re unique

At last. Sadly
It’s a boring song
But it works every time.

Syntax and word choice- Atwood uses modern diction into her poem. From reading the poem, the words are easy to understand and easy to imagine what the words mean. The poem also contains basic sentences instead of long paragraphs. After the first few lines, Atwood shifts from talking about the Siren Song to the woman calling out for help from people who hear the Siren Song. The best thing about this poem is that Atwood uses many different styles of diction and syntax to keep the writer from becoming bored.
Imagery- The only form of imagery in “The Siren Song” is the birds. The bird suit that Atwood refers to symbolizes the woman singing in the form of a bird. The “feathery maniacs” refer to the other two “birds” beside her singing, thus composing a trio.
Figurative Language- From reading the poem, it is clear to see that Atwood did not use any metaphor or personification.
Tone- The woman seems like she is crying out for help. However, at the end of the poem she states that the song is boring, but it works every time. This shows that Atwood could entice any man just by saying a few words and crying out for help. In simpler terms, the poem shifts from desperation tone to a victorious tone.
Theme- The overall theme of “The Siren Song” revolves around the idea of seducing a man through temptation. At first, the woman cries for a man to save her and for someone to get her off the “island.” Towards the end, the woman succeeds in tempting the man to help her, yet she has always done this and is bored.

Conclusion
After analyzing the elements of this poem, I enjoyed the poem a bit more. In my initial reaction, I did not understand the “bird suits” or who the “feathery maniacs” were. However after re-reading the poem, I can understand that the bird suits are like the chains that “hold down” the woman and the feathery maniacs are the other sirens singing along with her. Other than the bird imagery, this poem was straightforward and likeable.