The Gallery Poem Interpretation

Have you ever known or dated a person whom you saw as perfect and imperfect? An angel and a devil? Almost everyone has been in the same complicated relationship at some point in their lives. Poet Andrew Marvell describes this complex situation through the speaker in his poem “The Gallery” about the beloved Chlora. The complexity is communicated through the metaphor of the gallery itself which paints all the varied ways Chlora is interpreted. With the art varying in extremes the uncertain relationship is very apparent. The complexity of the relationship is also revealed through three other methods: imagery, detail, and the figurative language within the poem. Imagery is the first and most obvious way to break down and understand the relationship. One example of this is when Chlora is first described, “Black eyes, red lips, and curled hair” (16). These traits are often associated with witches or vampires in stereotypical horror. They are both considered evil, as well as figuratively and literally life draining. Certainly this is not a positive interpretation the speaker has presented us. However, another example of imagery is when he states, “When in the east she slumbering lies, and stretches out her …show more content…
One metaphor is the gallery itself, which is all the memories of the different sides of Chlora they have seen. Furthermore, an important allusion in the poem is “Like Venus in her pearly boat” (34). To compare one's other half to the roman goddess of love and beauty is a strong statement, and a sign of strong feelings. The allusion further strengthened when Chlora is compared to Aurora as well. Lastly, symbolism is a factor when stated “Art grown numerous a colony” (46). THe colony is the collection of memories as well as Chloras the speaker has in his mind. Based on these examples of figurative language it can be concluded that the relationship is a long and elaborate