Atwood’s poem travels through a questionable Canadian landscape. Using basic similes/metaphors to create the harsh environment of this landscape, ‘that the hills which the eyes make flat as a wall’ (lines 2-3). It is then being compared to the kitchen and helps relate to her inner-self, and then makes a comparison to dark side of the human psyche. This structure is broken up into three stanzas. The combination and placing of these three stanzas, helps demonstrate how the inner journey blends in with the physical world.
The poem considers that any exploration to the dark side of the mind is vastly dangerous. Atwood expresses this sense through imagery, ‘a net of air and alternate light and dark at all times’ (lines 17-18). Also the use of caesuras helps us, due to it assists our understanding on the sentence previously read.
To discover ones inner self is treacherous and time consuming, looking at it from the point of view of the dark regions of the mind. ‘I’m sure I passed this yesterday’ (line 28) her growing confusion to her inner journey. A caesura was used after this to help the reader digest what Atwood deeply meant by that.
Taking on board Atwood’s idea of own interpretation, is what evoked, I, the reader to find the profound significance to the title. What do you call a person who designs a kitchen? An interior designer. Interpreting the title ‘Journey to the interior’ basically means to me ‘Journey to the kitchen’. Atwood’s journey is basically how she made it to the kitchen, and why she thinks this is the deep side of the human psyche. Take into consideration that this poem was written by a feminist/ existentialist. She relates the versatile Canadian landscape, towards her feelings of being in the kitchen, and what must have led her there. Within her mind the views of a doctor, psychiatric, a book, are no use to her. ‘and words are as pointless as calling in a vacant wilderness’ (lines 37-38), no one can understand her, is her outcome of this sentence. ‘a compass is useless; also trying to take directions from the movements of the sun, which are erratic’ (lines33-36) , Atwood uses imagery here, right after a caesura, which I find extremely effective. Atwood does not physically mean taking directions of a compass, or taking directions from the movement of the sun. Her use of tactile imagery here means she is stuck walking in circles in her mind, tackling the same issues over again, and nothing can help her in this time of crisis.
The inner journey of this is conveyed through the process of making it there; travelling through the Canadian landscape. Reaching the dark side of the mind, in a state of reality referring to the kitchen, and being stuck there questioning the dark side of the human psyche. ‘but mostly the danger; many have been here, but only some have returned safely’ (lines 31-33)
‘whatever I do I must keep my head. I know it is easier to lose my way forever here than in any other landscape’ (Lines 39-42 ). She ends with a sense of positivity. Atwood knows the landscape she is travelling through, which is the dark side of the human psyche, if far more dangerous than any other landscape to travel in your life journey.
Atwood’s journey is based upon one’s own journey through the inner workings of the mind. It is evident that the poem is accumulative, by the points and evidence required. Tropes, language features, and techniques help portray the journey revealed in Margaret Atwood’s poem ‘Journey to the interior’
Carolina Silva
11EA1
Mr Gugoric
