At the beginning of “Hate Poem” by Julie Sheehan the first impression of the reader may be that the speaker of the poem absolutely loathes the person that they are writing about. However, as the poem continues a deeper meaning behind the hate of the speaker begins to materialize. The hate that is spoken of again and again may not be hate at all. In fact, though the speaker repeatedly states their hate for the subject of the poem, through the use of everyday scenarios, they may really be trying to portray the exact opposite. Through connotations associated with various words used throughout the poem along with the continued use of personification the reader begins to see a whole new relationship between the subject and the speaker. One of
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The word choice as well as the repetition used in the first line brings forth the question of the speakers confusion between love and hate. “I hate you truly. Truly I do” (line 1.) The repetition in this line makes the reader question who the speaker is trying to make believe her hate for this person, the reader or herself? The speakers choice of the words “I do” also support the idea that this poem may be about love rather than hate. The phrase “I do” is often associated with marriage which is a union formed in honor of love. Another line that illustrates the use of words with a more loving than hateful connotation is “You know how when I’m sleepy I nuzzle my head under your arm? Hate” (line 17) The words nuzzle and sleepy have a very pleasant and comfortable connotation. This shows that the speaker is comfortable with the person that they are writing about. Though the speaker hates the reality that she loves this person, they still give her the feeling of safety and comfort that she craves. The second to last line says “My lungs, duplicitous twins, expand with the utter validity of my hate, which can never have enough of you” (line 23.) Though the speakers lungs hate their lover, this does not change the fact that lungs need oxygen and the person that the speaker hates is that oxygen. Through comparing the subject of the poem to oxygen, the speaker shows that though she may hate this person she knows that she needs them and will never cease to need
The word choice as well as the repetition used in the first line brings forth the question of the speakers confusion between love and hate. “I hate you truly. Truly I do” (line 1.) The repetition in this line makes the reader question who the speaker is trying to make believe her hate for this person, the reader or herself? The speakers choice of the words “I do” also support the idea that this poem may be about love rather than hate. The phrase “I do” is often associated with marriage which is a union formed in honor of love. Another line that illustrates the use of words with a more loving than hateful connotation is “You know how when I’m sleepy I nuzzle my head under your arm? Hate” (line 17) The words nuzzle and sleepy have a very pleasant and comfortable connotation. This shows that the speaker is comfortable with the person that they are writing about. Though the speaker hates the reality that she loves this person, they still give her the feeling of safety and comfort that she craves. The second to last line says “My lungs, duplicitous twins, expand with the utter validity of my hate, which can never have enough of you” (line 23.) Though the speakers lungs hate their lover, this does not change the fact that lungs need oxygen and the person that the speaker hates is that oxygen. Through comparing the subject of the poem to oxygen, the speaker shows that though she may hate this person she knows that she needs them and will never cease to need