In “Gretel in Darkness,” Louise Gluck reveals in the title that Gretel is most likely the speaker of the poem. Also, Gluck is stating that Gretel has become encompassed through some form of darkness. Throughout the development of the poem, the reader senses both urgency and bitterness from Gretel, with a great deal of frustration and bewilderment. Gretel accomplishes a goal, but the price Gretel pays is life altering. ... Gluck, has finally revealed a name for the first time; Hansel, which confirms that Gretel is the speaker. ... Even you, my brother,” is implying that Hansel, is Gretel’s brother, and Gretel is remembering an encompassing yet fruitful experience they once had. ... ” Now the reader has found out that Gretel has killed someone for the sake of Hansel and this is the answer to Gretel’s question, “Am I alone? Spies” and this can also be the why Gretel “cannot forget.” Gretel is alone, because Gretel was the one who actually killed the person, even though Gretel killed to save Hansel. I believe Hansel, has put everything behind him, because of the way he acts towards Gretel; so nonchalant. ... I know the witch is the person Gretel has killed, because Gretel says in the second line of the first stanza, “Are dead. ... Although, Gluck has not yet told us the gender of Gretel, I believe Gretel is a girl because it is more likely for a girl, to want someone to hold her at night than a boy, “Nights I turn to you to hold me but you are not there.” Gretel turns to her brother for comfort because she feels that since he was there he should understand, but in the sixth line of the third stanza Gretel asks herself, “Am I alone? ... ” She feels like she is alone, because her brother is not there for her, and for that reason Gretel is also feeling paranoid. I believe that Gluck wanted us to know that Gretel is being haunted by the fact that she has taken the witch’s life away. Also, the way Gretel killed the witch, can be seen in lines four and eight of the third stanza, “I see armed firs, the spires of that gleaming kiln come back, come back-/That black forest, and the fire in earnest.
To link to this page, copy the following code to your site:
All Papers Are For Research And Reference Purposes Only!
You may not turn these papers in as your own! You must cite our web site as your source!
