Typically, a reader searches for a plot, with a beginning, middle, and end. Instead, the speaker states “I will tell the secret to you” (Line 19). This compels the audience to read on and discover the secret. But, to the reader’s surprise, there is no secret uncovered. Atwood picks her language carefully to play the role of the devious narrator. Atwood’s interpretation of the song portrays it as gripping and thus, encourages the reader to find out more. She approaches the reader psychologically, by appealing to their curiosity to grasp their attention rather than telling a story to interest the reader. Atwood’s trickery forces the reader to find out what comes next. “Shall I tell you the secret/ and if I do, will you get me/ out of this bird suit?” (Lines 10-12). Her cunning words attempt to woo the reader into freeing her “out of this bird suit.”
Atwood’s omission of a plot is purposeful; she demonstrates that a 'story' of no substance can be as appealing to the reader as a complicated plot with a definite climax. A plot serves the purpose of providing a story to concern or interest the reader. Atwood begins her poem by saying, “This is the one song everyone/ would like to learn: the song/ that is irresistible:.” Instead of establishing a plot, or commencing a story, Atwood quickly grasps the reader’s attention by making him or her want to learn the song. She then describes the song and stresses its negativity. “because anyone who has heard it/ is dead, and the others can’t remember” (Lines 8-9). She includes cries for help “Come closer. This song/ is a cry for help: Help me!/ Only you, only you can,” to seduce the reader and thus, leading them into their death bed. Atwood concludes her poem with a simple statement on how the speaker’s seduction is a success every time. After examining the piece, we can conclude that there is no plot present. It is evident there is no climax or even a story to begin with. Atwood excludes the whole idea of telling a story; she excites the reader by ending each stanza with a phrase that will persuade the reader to read further.
Usually, the reader is aware of who the speaker, character, or narrator is in a poem. The speaker in “Siren Song” never reveals her/himself, but instead gives clues to their identity. In Greek Mythology, Sirens are described to be seductive, winged sea nymphs. The speaker hints the reader of his/her identity by begging the reader to “get out of this bird suit” and getting away from “these two feathery maniacs.” The reader may easily conclude that the speaker is in fact a siren; one who wants to convince the reader into hearing the song and falling in to the siren’s trap. The siren wants the reader to become its victim and wants the reader to hear the song. The only way the song can be heard is through the siren because everyone else who has heard it is either dead or doesn’t remember it.
The sirens in Homer’s The Odyssey approach Odysseus and his men in a similar fashion as the speaker of “Siren Song” approaches the reader. The sirens woo the men and take control of their psyche which is parallel to the way the speaker of “Siren Song” (also a siren) addresses her reader. Both poems exemplify the power of women over men. They seek the same purpose: to take control.
Clearly, Margaret Atwood expresses her own unique style in this poem. She creates a poem that can stand on its own, without many literary techniques and without any plot or story. She presents her poem as “irresistible” psychologically rather than utilizing traditional literary techniques to lure the reader.
