After writing about three different poems from the author I picked, I never knew Ari Banias is transgender. The poem I picked, “Double Mastectomy,” by Ari Banias, is about his mastectomy surgery - a procedure to remove all breast tissue from a breast, creating a masculine chest. The struggles that Banias undergoes with going through the surgery are brought up when the poem refers to why he would do such a thing.
The metaphor of this transsexual surgery is closely compared to destroying an ancient house, “The curved banister, the glass knobs… where were these know… some dump?” (Banias). The then questions how he could do that… “[what] could be made of these parts?” (Banias).
Banias comparing his surgery to destroying an old house is somewhat odd and unusual, but his poem was very accurate in describing his personal experience with the mastectomy. As Banias approaches the room where the surgery is going to happen, he is able to answer his question of why he went through with this surgery. He did this so he could become a man, “[For] the possibility of my body” (Banias). He did this for his own reasons; even though it may be a difficult surgery, this is what would make him feel like a man.
At first, I had a little difficulty trying to interpret this poem and why Banias would choose such a metaphor. I can never fully understand because I am not transgender. However, I did get a cosmetic procedure that I did not need, but my family understood that it was something that made me insecure. So, I am able to understand why Banias would go through a tough procedure and I believe that his poem did an excellent job of explaining just that. It was detailed in a way where it was not too much information, but you could feel what Banias was expressing.
The metaphor of this transsexual surgery is closely compared to destroying an ancient house, “The curved banister, the glass knobs… where were these know… some dump?” (Banias). The then questions how he could do that… “[what] could be made of these parts?” (Banias).
Banias comparing his surgery to destroying an old house is somewhat odd and unusual, but his poem was very accurate in describing his personal experience with the mastectomy. As Banias approaches the room where the surgery is going to happen, he is able to answer his question of why he went through with this surgery. He did this so he could become a man, “[For] the possibility of my body” (Banias). He did this for his own reasons; even though it may be a difficult surgery, this is what would make him feel like a man.
At first, I had a little difficulty trying to interpret this poem and why Banias would choose such a metaphor. I can never fully understand because I am not transgender. However, I did get a cosmetic procedure that I did not need, but my family understood that it was something that made me insecure. So, I am able to understand why Banias would go through a tough procedure and I believe that his poem did an excellent job of explaining just that. It was detailed in a way where it was not too much information, but you could feel what Banias was expressing.
Have you ever wanted to change something about you that made you feel insecure or self-conscious?
This poem sounds so interesting! He was able to make two things relate in a way that you would never have pictured. I don't think I would alter anything about myself, since G-d created me this way, but I do not have any problem with people that do...I would definitely consider if I had something that made me extremely insecure.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing I would want to change about my physical being. I like to think I am supposed to look the way I look.
ReplyDeleteFrom your analysis of this poem, it reminds me of the little insecurities everyone has and how many people have those few things they would like to change about themselves. This poem also sounds very interesting in how the author presented a very personal story to highlight the bigger meaning.
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