The Significance of “Bottom Drawer”
The phrase “bottom drawer” carries a surprisingly rich history and layered meaning. While literally referring to the lowest compartment of a chest or dresser, it has evolved to symbolize hidden hopes, treasured possessions, secrets, and the anticipation of future events, particularly marriage and domestic life. Understanding its origins and literary applications reveals a fascinating glimpse into societal norms and personal emotions.
Origins and Historical Context
The phrase’s roots are firmly planted in nineteenth‑century domestic life. Its first recorded appearance in print dates back to 1886 in Robert Holland’s A Glossary of Words Used in Cheshire. Holland documented the phrase as a response to inquiries about purchases: “If a young woman were to buy a set of teathings, or a tablecloth, or what not, and were asked what use she had for such things, she would answer, ‘Oh! They’re to put in my bottom drawer.’” This context is crucial. The “bottom drawer” wasn’t just storage; it was a repository for items collected in anticipation of marriage, a time when a woman’s domestic skills and possessions were central to her identity and future. It signified a hopeful, private world preparing for a new life.
Literary Analysis and Symbolic Weight
The power of “bottom drawer” in literature lies in its ability to represent more than just a physical space. It functions as a potent symbol of hidden emotions, suppressed desires, and the weight of the past. Authors often utilize it to create atmosphere, develop character, and explore themes of memory, expectation, and the transition to adulthood.
Exploring Symbolism Through Poetry
Consider the poem, “The Bottom Drawer” by Kurt Philip Behm.
My mind is like a giant dresser
with thoughts and feelings stored.
Some are for later and some for now
each in its own drawer.
New thoughts are folded flat and crisp
but new feelings are loosely thrown.
In the bottom drawer to lie together
time has long outgrown.
Behm extends the metaphor, comparing the mind to a dresser and the “bottom drawer” to the subconscious, a place where long‑held feelings and memories reside. The phrase suggests a collection of experiences, both cherished and painful, that shape our inner selves. The image of things being “long outgrown” hints at the complexities of personal growth and the acceptance of the past.
“Bottom Drawer” as a Repository of the Past
In Chely Wright’s song, “Back of the Bottom Drawer,” the phrase takes on a deeply personal meaning.
In the back of the bottom drawer
of the dresser by our bed
is a box of odds and ends
that I have always kept.
But the man who sleeps beside me
doesn’t know it’s even there.
Little pieces from my past
that I shouldn’t have to share.
A napkin that is stained with time
has a poem on it
that didn’t quite rhyme
but it made me cry.
Here, the “bottom drawer” is a secret compartment containing mementos of childhood and past experiences. The songwriter suggests a hidden self, and the difficulty of sharing vulnerability even with those closest to us. The imperfect poem on the napkin emphasizes a raw, emotional honesty and the enduring power of memory.
Metaphorical Weight and Hidden Truths
St. South’s use of “bottom drawer” in their song subtly shifts its meaning.
There are rattlesnakes in the bottom drawer
where my parents kept the spare batteries and more.
The coming‑out letter I sent too late
somewhere beneath the measuring tape.
The literal objects stored—batteries, a measuring tape—contrast sharply with the “rattlesnakes.” This juxtaposition creates a powerful metaphor for repressed memories and potentially painful truths. The “bottom drawer” becomes a symbol of unresolved issues and the dangers of keeping secrets buried in the past. The late coming‑out letter suggests the weight of unexpressed emotions and the consequences of delaying self‑acceptance.
Literal and Symbolic Convergence
In Matthew Eberz’s Tenth Man, the phrase appears in a more straightforward context. “Sam gazed around the warehouse, watching a worker transporting one of the old style cabinets on a handcart. As the handcart passed, Sam studied the cabinet. The cabinet was upright, its bottom resting on the cart’s lifting arm, and he could see that the bottom drawer was missing.” While presented literally—a missing drawer in an old cabinet—its absence can still function symbolically, suggesting something lost, incomplete, or missing from the character’s past or present.
Beyond Literature: Usage and Implications
The phrase “bottom drawer” extends beyond literary contexts, retaining a sense of secrecy, anticipation, and hidden value.
Example 1: She has put all the new items in the bottom drawer of her chest because in two weeks she’s getting married and will take them with her.
Example 2: In olden days, a girl would keep her bottom drawer for the things she bought for her wedding.
Example 3: The mother asked Diana not to put Lilly’s clothes in the bottom drawer as that space was for something special.
Example 4: Kyle stored all her prom decorations in the bottom drawer because it was spacious.
Example 5: They are sitting silently, like in a bottom drawer.
Conclusion
The phrase “bottom drawer” is more than just a description of furniture. It’s a rich cultural and literary symbol, steeped in history and laden with emotional weight. From its origins in nineteenth‑century domesticity to its nuanced appearances in modern literature, it continues to resonate with readers and writers alike. Understanding its origins and symbolic power enriches our appreciation of its use in literature and provides a window into the evolving complexities of human experience.