All Hallows’ Eve
By Dorothea Tanning
Be perfect, make it otherwise.
Yesterday is torn in shreds.
Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes
Rip apart the breathing beds.
Hear bones crack and pulverize.
Doom creeps in on rubber treads.
Countless overwrought housewives,
Minds unraveling like threads,
Try lipstick shades to tranquilize
Fears of age and general dreads.
Sit tight, be perfect, swat the spies,
Don’t take faucets for fountainheads.
Drink tasty antidotes. Otherwise
You and the werewolf: newlyweds.
Unraveling the Shadows: A Guide to Dorothea Tanning’s “All Hallows’ Eve”
Dorothea Tanning’s “All Hallows’ Eve” is a hauntingly evocative poem that blends the imagery of Halloween with a disturbing undercurrent of domestic unease. Though steeped in fantasy, the poem delves into the psychological state of a woman—and, by extension, many women—navigating a precarious and potentially abusive relationship. This guide will explore the poem’s summary, central ideas, and a deeper analysis of its literary and poetic devices, offering a comprehensive understanding of Tanning’s masterful work.
A Summary of Shadows and Subtext
The poem presents a fragmented and unsettling vision that begins with a demand for perfection and escalates into scenes of violence and fear. It does not follow a traditional narrative; instead it offers a series of images and fragmented thoughts that appear to belong to a woman preparing for a terrifying night. The speaker—and perhaps countless others like her—tries to mask her anxieties with “lipstick shades to tranquilize” while bracing for an impending threat. The final lines provide a chilling metaphor: remaining in this state is like becoming newlyweds with a werewolf, suggesting a frighteningly predictable cycle of abuse disguised as romance.
The poem’s central idea revolves around silencing fear and the desperate attempts to maintain control in a threatening environment. It is a subtle yet powerful commentary on domestic violence, where appearances of normalcy are maintained while simmering tension lurks beneath the surface.
In-Depth Analysis: Exploring the Poem’s Layers
The Opening Command: “Be perfect, make it otherwise.”
The poem immediately establishes a sense of impossible expectation. The plea for perfection is not a genuine desire for flawlessness, but a directive—likely self‑imposed or externally imposed—to appease a controlling force. “Make it otherwise” suggests a desperate attempt to alter an inevitable outcome, to rewrite a frightening future, but the tone is fraught with futility. This opening sets the stage for the anxiety that permeates the entire poem. It suggests a world where agency is limited and the speaker feels compelled to meet unrealistic standards.
Imagery of Violence: “Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes / Rip apart the breathing beds.”
Tanning employs vivid and unsettling imagery to create a landscape of fear. The “lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes” evoke a sense of overwhelming, almost demonic scrutiny. The association with sulfur suggests hellfire and punishment. The violent action of “ripping apart” is not only physical destruction; it symbolizes a shattering of peace, safety, and the very foundations of domesticity. The phrase “breathing beds” transforms a symbol of intimacy and rest into a site of vulnerability and potential harm, underscoring the violation of a safe space.
The Metaphor of the Overwrought Housewives
The line “Countless overwrought housewives, Minds unraveling like threads” introduces a collective experience of anxiety and despair. The image of “minds unraveling like threads” is a powerful metaphor for the erosion of sanity and self‑worth. It conveys a sense of fragility and the slow but certain disintegration of the psyche. The poem therefore speaks not only of one woman’s struggle but of a shared experience among many trapped in similar situations. It expands the scope, turning the poem into a commentary on societal expectations and the pressures faced by women, suggesting that systemic issues contribute to this widespread anxiety.
Symbolism and the Werewolf Metaphor
The final couplet is perhaps the most chilling and revealing. The advice to “Sit tight, be perfect, swat the spies” reinforces the need for vigilance and self‑preservation. It is a desperate plea for control in a situation where control is likely an illusion. The image of the werewolf is a potent symbol of untamed aggression, unpredictable violence, and the cyclical nature of abuse. To become newlywed with the werewolf is not romantic; it is a horrifying prediction of a relationship doomed to repeat patterns of violence, masked by initial allure. It suggests a chilling acceptance of a terrifying reality, where fear becomes normalized and predictable.
Literary and Poetic Devices at Play
Assonance and Consonance: Creating a Sonic Landscape
Tanning skillfully employs sound devices to enhance the poem’s unsettling atmosphere. The repetition of vowel sounds in lines such as “Doom creeps in on rubber treads” (assonance) and the recurrence of consonant sounds—especially the ‘s’ in “Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes” (consonance)—create a sonic landscape that mirrors the poem’s emotional turbulence and reinforces the sense of dread. The sounds themselves contribute to the poem’s overall effect.
Enjambment: Building Tension and Momentum
The use of enjambment—where a phrase or sentence continues onto the next line without punctuation—creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. For example, “Try lipstick shades to tranquilize / Fears of age and general dreads” compels the reader to move quickly through the lines, mirroring the speaker’s frantic attempt to mask her anxieties. It also disrupts the rhythm, creating a sense of unease and instability.
Imagery and Symbolism: Painting a Picture of Fear
As discussed, imagery and symbolism are central to the poem’s effectiveness. The “breathing beds,” the werewolf, and the “lightning’s eyes” are powerful symbols that contribute to the poem’s haunting atmosphere and thematic depth. The careful selection and arrangement of these images create a vivid and unforgettable experience for the reader.
Irony: A Subtle Layer of Meaning
The poem’s setting, All Hallows’ Eve, adds a layer of irony. Halloween is traditionally a time for playful fear, but in this poem the fear is all too real. The contrast between the celebratory nature of the holiday and the poem’s disturbing imagery underscores the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath everyday life. It also highlights the way society often trivializes or ignores the very real dangers faced by many.
A Poem for Our Time
Dorothea Tanning’s “All Hallows’ Eve” is a disturbing yet beautifully crafted poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of fear, control, and the insidious nature of abuse remains relevant and timely. By skillfully employing literary and poetic devices, Tanning creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of a woman navigating a terrifying reality that, sadly, remains all too common. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing the issues of domestic violence and the societal forces that contribute to it.