There is a lot of evidence in Joy Harjo's "She Had Some Horses" that leads us to believe that this is in fact a female speaker facing and reconciling inner conflicts. For instance, she refers to things in opposites: "horses who had no names" and "horses who had books of names. Again, she speaks of "horses who whispered in the dark" against "horses who screamed". This play with opposition works with the overall context of the poem to suggest that this is someone struggling with two seperate parts of his/her whole being. The 'She' the poem speaks of is dealing with the feelings she has toward men, religion, and herself.
There were several points while reading this poem that I got the sense that Hajo may have some man issues. The line about the "male queens who made them afraid of themselves" suggests that the author doesn't neccesarily like the way men treat a lot of women, and how men can make women feel. Again, she speaks of "horses who tried to save her, who climbed in her bed at night and prayed as they raped her." For me, it seems that Hajo, or the speaker, is trying to get across this idea of man having some kind of power of women and their emotions, and its not good. In this last line, it's talking about men saying that they're good for her, and that they want what makes her happy, but in the end the women just get screwed. (sorry for that horrible pun, I couldn't resist)
I believe that Hajo has some political points hidden in this poem, as well. Based on the struggle the subject has with "horses who got down on their knees for any savior", and "waited for resurrections," It seems as though the speaker has some conflict with the idea of religion, and how people practice it and why.
As far as what the horses themselves represent, I can see how they are genderless spirits.
Sometimes they signify men, sometimes the "she", sometimes a mass of people. The horses don't have any limitations as to what they can represent, therefore have a spirit-like nature to them. It's the idea of these things and people that are being represented, not the material aspects.
About Me
- andrea
- ohh i live in Athens. I'm an English major. I want to someday teach little kiddies just how wonderful literature can be!
I think it is very interesting how you bring up the point of one person struggling with their inner self which leads to their whole being. I had not thought of it this way before.
ReplyDeleteI also like your points about the political agenda hidden within her poem. I agree with this completely.
I do recognize that the poet may have some religious and man issues. However, I am not sure if the religion issues are as clearly articulated as the man issues are. I enjoy how you viewed the gender dynamic as a sort of power struggle. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Harjo may have had some negative feelings toward males. I also like the "horrible pun!" :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that these horses are a way of working out some relationship issues, see for me I was thinking that they were girl issues but that may just be because I am a guy and tend to take it as a reflection of myself. I found it intersting that you thought that she was working out some relationship issues, but then found the horses to be genderless just because of the fact that. I was thinking that they couldn't be genderless because of the fact that they had a human connection to them.
ReplyDeleteYour way of looking at Harjo's poem is interesting and unique. I like that you delved into more than just the issue of men and added the pun--it made it even more fun to read.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you that there is a woman in this poem battling to define herself in the presence of men. I like that you touched on the other issues mentioned but wish you would've gone a little more in depth with your opinions/explanations. Good work and loved the pun.
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