Women Like Me by Maram al Massri

Women Like Me : Malayalam Explanation 

Maram al Massri

  • Syrian writer, living in Paris
  • is considered one of the most renowned and captivating feminine voices of her generation in Arabic
  • famous work: A Red Cherry on a White Tiled Floor (1997)
  • her poetry vividly encapsulates the frailty of human condition in a brutal society

Women Like Me {poem}

Women like me
do not know how to speak.
A word remains in their throats
like a thorn
they choose to swallow.
Women like me
know nothing except weeping,
impossible weeping
suddenly
pouring
like a severed artery.
Women like me
receive blows
and do not dare return them.
They shake with anger,
they subdue it.
Like lions in cages,
women like me
dream . . .
of freedom . . .

Detailed Analysis 

The poem reflects the inner turmoil and oppression experienced by women who are denied a voice, forced into silence, and subjected to suffering. It articulates the speaker’s emotional state through vivid imagery and metaphors, representing a collective experience of many women who share similar struggles.

Introduction to Silence

 The poem begins by stating that women like the speaker "do not know how to speak." This indicates that they have been silenced, either by societal norms or personal trauma. The inability to express themselves leaves their words metaphorically stuck in their throats "like a thorn." The choice to "swallow" the thorn suggests that these women internalize their pain and frustration rather than speaking out or confronting the source of their suffering.

Tears as Expression 

Since they cannot express themselves verbally, women like the speaker know only "weeping." The tears are not ordinary but described as "impossible weeping," which underscores the sense of overwhelming, uncontrollable sorrow. The simile of weeping pouring "like a severed artery" evokes a powerful image of a life force draining uncontrollably, as if the emotional pain is as intense and vital as blood. This emphasizes that the emotional toll is severe and life-altering.

Repression of Anger 

Women like the speaker receive "blows" and do not return them, suggesting they endure physical or emotional abuse passively. The fear or inability to retaliate is juxtaposed with the suppressed anger that "shakes" them. The internal conflict of feeling anger but subduing it reveals the depth of their repression. This pent-up fury is a sign of their strength and resistance, even if it is unexpressed.

Metaphor of the Caged Lion

The image of women as "lions in cages" is a potent metaphor for their power, potential, and courage, all trapped by societal or personal limitations. The lion, a symbol of strength and ferocity, is confined, unable to act on its instincts. This reinforces the idea that these women possess immense strength and capability but are restrained by the circumstances of their lives.

Dream of Freedom 

Despite their silence, repression, and suffering, these women "dream... of freedom." This closing thought encapsulates the hope and resilience of the speaker and women like her. The ellipses suggest that this dream is distant, incomplete, and perhaps unattainable in the present, yet it persists. The desire for freedom symbolizes both literal and metaphorical liberation from the social, emotional, and physical constraints that bind them.

Themes

Silencing and Voicelessness 
The poem powerfully addresses the theme of being silenced. The women depicted are unable to express their thoughts, feelings, or resistance. Words remain "in their throats like a thorn," symbolizing the painful repression of their voices. The speaker suggests that societal or personal forces have rendered them voiceless.

Emotional Suppression and Repression
The theme of emotional suppression runs through the poem. Women in the poem are not allowed to express their anger, sadness, or frustration openly. They experience powerful emotions—like rage and grief—but must keep them hidden. This repression is likened to being "like lions in cages," full of strength but unable to act.

Suffering and Pain 
The poem highlights the pain these women endure, both physical and emotional. The image of blows they receive without retaliation and the "impossible weeping" pouring from them emphasize the suffering imposed on them. The weeping, like a "severed artery," suggests that their pain is life-threatening and overwhelming.

Gendered Oppression 
A central theme in the poem is the oppression of women. The experiences described reflect patriarchal structures that keep women subdued, passive, and denied agency. They are not only silenced but also expected to endure their suffering without resistance or retaliation.

Anger and Inner Strength
Despite the repression, the women in the poem are not without anger or strength. The "shaking with anger" and the metaphor of "lions in cages" reflect that there is a latent power within these women, suggesting a potential for resistance and rebellion that remains suppressed but still exists.

Yearning for Freedom 
The concluding lines introduce a powerful theme of hope and the desire for liberation. Women like the speaker dream of "freedom," longing for a future where they can break free from the oppression and constraints that bind them. Though it remains a distant hope, the dream of freedom suggests a vision of change and empowerment.

Resilience and Survival
Even amid their suffering, the women survive. The act of swallowing their pain and continuing despite the blows reflects a deep resilience. They endure, adapt, and dream of a future where they might overcome these struggles, suggesting their enduring spirit despite the hardships they face.

These themes collectively explore the multifaceted experience of being a woman in a repressive society, balancing silence, suffering, strength, and hope for eventual liberation.

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