Critical Analysis Of The Flea By John Donne

John Donne had many obstacles throughout his life that would define him as well as his poetry. The day he was born he faced one of these obstacles as he was born to a Roman Catholic family at a time when practicing Roman Catholicism was illegal. The religious conflict he faced tore him up inside. That was until, of course, he rejecting his mother and father’s religion, electing to convert to Anglicanism. As this transformation took place, there was also a revolution in the way Donne would write. Many of his poems and sonnets would be regarding women. And while some of these rhymes would paint women in a positive light, most did not. There was a third group of poems concerning women by John Donne. This grouping was his erotically motivated …show more content…
This conceit is created when Donne compares the collaborating of blood within the flea’s body to the sexual act. Donne continues to use the conceit as the flea becomes a microcosm for the outside world. The critic also argues that Donne is Implying that a child has been born through the “marriage” of the two. The conceit is used once more when the woman is warned not to kill the flea, as doing so would kill the family. The third stanza begins with the woman killing the flea, but neither are weaker because of it, and neither are either of the lovers after engaging in sexual acts. The third paragraph of the critical analysis is titled, “Denial That There Are Consequences to Sex”. This title makes sense because after Donne’s last lines line the poem, he really makes it seem as there are no consequences. Donne uses this in order to help achieve sexual contact with the woman who is portrayed as a virgin. The liberties that a flea is granted, but not the man is why the conceit works. If a man were to suck blood from a woman, they would be arrested, but the flea is expected to do this. The critical analysis is wrapped up by focusing on how love is portrayed. It is not something beautiful, but actually something parasite would take part in. Most poets during this day and age would not dare speak like this and if they were writing about making love, then they …show more content…
Her work achieves its purpose by explaining the use of conceits and how Donne masterfully worked them into his story. In order to reach its full potential, Baker should have taken a stance on the poem as a whole and explained why. She leaves grey in a black and white subject, though the source was not limited on explaining the poem. The evidence of the use of conceits is strong as she uses examples from the poem itself to prove her point. I believe the point she truly wanted to make was John Donne was wring, and sex should not be considered trivial or compared to a flea. She likely did not make this point outright as then she would come off as one who disapproves and does not enjoy his work. The organization of her critical analysis is useful for comprehension. The style she uses is almost question-answer so she can explain herself entirely. All in all, the critic was fair on Donne’s work, but if Donne were around today I do not think he would care as he did this intentionally.
Who is Anaya Baker when compared to the great John Donne? She is just another critic who comprehends the graphic and racy undertones to Donne’s “The Flea”. Donne’s poetry is shaped by his life and his life is shaped by his poetry. The man in this poem is likely himself, trying to convince a woman to have sex with him. The way he goes about this may not be the most graceful or physically appealing,