Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a journey into the profound depths of Ted Hughes’s remarkable poem, “Examination at the Womb Door.” This piece is not merely a collection of words; it is a powerful confrontation with existence itself, a stark and unforgettable meditation on life, death, and the indomitable spirit of being. Prepare to unravel its layers, discover its intricate craftsmanship, and understand why it continues to resonate with such intensity.
Examination at the Womb Door
By Ted Hughes
Who owns those scrawny little feet? Death.
Who owns this bristly scorched-looking face? Death.
Who owns these still-working lungs? Death.
Who owns this utility coat of muscles? Death.
Who owns these unspeakable guts? Death.
Who owns these questionable brains? Death.
All this messy blood? Death.
These minimum-efficiency eyes? Death.
This wicked little tongue? Death.
This occasional wakefulness? Death.Given, stolen, or held pending trial?
Held.Who owns the whole rainy, stony earth? Death.
Who owns all of space? Death.Who is stronger than hope? Death.
Who is stronger than the will? Death.
Stronger than love? Death.
Stronger than life? Death.But who is stronger than Death?
Me, evidently.
Pass, Crow.
Understanding “Examination at the Womb Door”: A Core Summary
“Examination at the Womb Door” by Ted Hughes, a compelling work from his 1970 collection Crow, plunges readers into a stark philosophical inquiry at the very threshold of life. The poem presents a dramatic dialogue, or perhaps an internal interrogation, concerning the ownership of a newborn being. Through a relentless series of questions, the poem systematically attributes every physical and even abstract component of existence to Death.
The central idea revolves around the overwhelming dominion of Death over all aspects of physical life and even abstract concepts like hope, will, love, and life itself. However, the poem takes a powerful, defiant turn. Despite Death’s seemingly absolute claim, a nascent “Me” emerges, asserting its own strength and ultimately declaring itself stronger than Death. This pivotal moment signifies the triumph of individual consciousness and the inherent, unyielding force of life that emerges from the “Womb Door,” a potent symbol for the boundary between non-existence and existence.
This poem is noteworthy for its raw, uncompromising language and its challenging perspective on mortality. It does not shy away from the grim reality of death’s inevitability, yet it culminates in a fierce affirmation of life’s power to simply be, even in the face of such an overwhelming force. It is a profound exploration of creation, mortality, and the assertion of individual identity against the backdrop of universal forces.
Unpacking the Themes of “Examination at the Womb Door”
Ted Hughes masterfully weaves several profound themes throughout “Examination at the Womb Door,” inviting readers to ponder the very nature of existence.
Mortality and the Body’s Ownership
The poem opens with an immediate and visceral confrontation with mortality. Each physical part of a newborn is cataloged and claimed by Death, establishing an undeniable connection between life and its eventual end. Lines such as “Who owns those scrawny little feet? Death.” and “Who owns these unspeakable guts? Death.” highlight the temporary nature of our physical forms. This relentless questioning underscores the idea that from the moment of birth, our bodies are ultimately destined for decay, making Death the ultimate proprietor.
The Power of Life and Will
Despite Death’s pervasive claim, the poem culminates in a powerful assertion of life’s inherent strength. The lines “But who is stronger than Death?
Me, evidently.” represent a profound shift. This “Me” is not merely a physical entity but the essence of consciousness, will, and individual existence. It suggests that while Death may claim the physical, the spirit or consciousness possesses an enduring, defiant power that transcends even mortality. This theme celebrates the sheer force of being and the will to exist.
Existence, Identity, and the Threshold of Being
The “Womb Door” itself is a powerful thematic element, symbolizing the threshold between non-existence and existence. The examination conducted at this door questions the very nature of identity and what it means to enter the world. The initial vulnerability of the newborn, described with raw imagery like “bristly scorched-looking face” and “minimum-efficiency eyes,” contrasts sharply with the ultimate declaration of strength. This journey from utter physical vulnerability to a defiant assertion of self explores the complex process of becoming and the establishment of individual identity.
Literary Devices in “Examination at the Womb Door”: Crafting Meaning
Hughes employs a striking array of literary devices to create the poem’s unsettling atmosphere and convey its deep philosophical message. Understanding these devices enhances appreciation for the poem’s artistry.
Repetition: Building Relentless Inquiry
The most prominent device is the extensive use of repetition. The anaphora, or repetition at the beginning of successive lines, is evident in the insistent “Who owns…” that begins most questions. This creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic effect, emphasizing the relentless nature of the inquiry. Equally impactful is the epiphora, or repetition at the end of lines, with “Death.” serving as the constant, stark answer. For example:
Who owns those scrawny little feet? Death.
Who owns this bristly scorched-looking face? Death.
This dual repetition builds a sense of inevitability and overwhelming power, making Death’s presence almost tangible until the pattern is dramatically broken in the final lines.
Visceral Imagery: Confronting Raw Reality
Hughes uses vivid, often unsettling imagery to describe the newborn, emphasizing the raw physicality and vulnerability of life. Descriptions such as “scrawny little feet,” “bristly scorched-looking face,” and “unspeakable guts” are deliberately unromantic. This imagery grounds the philosophical questions in a tangible, almost uncomfortable reality, forcing the reader to confront the messy, imperfect nature of physical existence.
Personification: Death as an Active Claimant
Death is not merely an abstract concept in this poem; it is personified as an active entity, a powerful owner and claimant. The repeated phrase “Death.” as the answer to “Who owns…” transforms Death into a formidable, almost bureaucratic figure with dominion over all living things. Furthermore, abstract concepts like “hope,” “will,” “love,” and “life” are also personified as forces that Death can be “stronger than,” giving them agency within the poem’s philosophical framework.
Symbolism: Thresholds and Identity
The “Womb Door” itself is a powerful symbol. It represents the ultimate threshold, the boundary between non-existence and the beginning of life. It is the point of entry into the world where this profound “examination” takes place. The newborn’s body symbolizes the fragility and vulnerability of all human life, while the final declaration “Me, evidently.” symbolizes the emergence of individual consciousness and the defiant assertion of self against universal forces. The enigmatic “Crow” in the final line, a recurring figure in Hughes’s work, can be seen as a symbolic witness, a gatekeeper, or even an aspect of the cosmic order acknowledging the triumph of life.
Metaphor: Life as a Possession
The entire premise of the poem rests on a central metaphor: life, in its various components, is treated as a possession. The repeated question “Who owns…” frames existence as something that can be claimed or held. This metaphor allows Hughes to explore the idea of dominion and control, ultimately questioning who truly holds sway over our being.
Sound Devices: Assonance and Consonance
Hughes subtly employs sound devices to enhance the poem’s impact. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, can be found in lines like “Who owns those scrawny little feet?” where the long ‘e’ sound in “feet” echoes the ‘ee’ sound in “little.” Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, is evident in phrases such as “wicked little tongue,” where the repeated ‘l’ sound creates a subtle, almost slithering effect, contributing to the poem’s unsettling tone.
Poetic Structure and Style in “Examination at the Womb Door”: Shaping the Message
The structural and stylistic choices in “Examination at the Womb Door” are integral to its power and meaning.
Diction and Tone: Stark and Defiant
The poem’s diction is notably stark, direct, and unadorned. Hughes avoids elaborate or flowery language, opting instead for precise, almost clinical descriptions such as “utility coat of muscles” and “minimum-efficiency eyes.” This choice contributes to a tone that is challenging, philosophical, and ultimately defiant. The initial tone is one of relentless inquiry and grim acceptance, which then shifts dramatically to one of bold assertion and triumph in the final lines.
Free Verse: Unfettered Expression
“Examination at the Womb Door” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or meter. This structural freedom allows Hughes to create a sense of immediacy and raw authenticity, mirroring the unconstrained and unpredictable nature of life itself. The absence of a rigid form enhances the feeling of an unvarnished, direct confrontation with fundamental questions.
Rhetorical Questions: Engaging the Reader
The poem is structured around a series of rhetorical questions, questions posed not for an expected answer from the reader, but to provoke deep thought and contemplation. The relentless “Who owns…” questions engage the reader directly in the poem’s philosophical exploration, forcing them to consider the implications of Death’s pervasive claim and the ultimate assertion of life.
Dialogue and Call and Response
The poem takes the form of a dramatic dialogue, or a call and response, between an unseen interrogator and an implied answerer. The questions are posed, and the answers are delivered with stark finality. This structure creates a sense of an official inquiry or a profound internal debate, lending gravitas to the “examination” taking place at the “Womb Door.” The abrupt shift in the final lines, where the “Me” answers the ultimate question, powerfully breaks this established pattern.
Single Stanza: Continuous Inquiry
The poem is presented as a single, unbroken stanza. This structural choice reinforces the idea of a continuous, relentless inquiry without pause or respite. It underscores the interconnectedness of the ideas presented and builds a cumulative tension that culminates in the final, powerful declaration of life’s strength.
The Enduring Impact of “Examination at the Womb Door”
“Examination at the Womb Door” stands as a powerful testament to Ted Hughes’s unique poetic vision. It is a poem that confronts the most fundamental aspects of human existence: birth, death, and the assertion of self. Through its stark imagery, relentless questioning, and ultimate defiance, it challenges readers to consider the nature of ownership over our bodies and spirits, and to recognize the profound, inherent power of life to emerge and declare its presence, even in the shadow of inevitable mortality. This poem is a vital exploration of what it means to be, leaving an indelible mark on all who encounter its profound message.