Mary Oliver never fails to disappoint with her poems. I am shocked that I have been able to analyze so many of her poems since the beginning of the year. Her poem “The Hermit Crab” allows readers to enjoy a poem about hermit crabs while discovering a deeper meaning. I think the crab represents people in society when they are too scared to face reality. The crab is described as “[turning] away and [frisking] up its brawny forearms so quickly.” The crab is scared to face the world and hides in its shell. The shell represents its safe place, the place in which it has no worries.
I believe as humans we need to come out of our shells, unlike the hermit crab. Mary Oliver allows me to realize that people don’t understand one another when they are “hiding in their shell.” You can really only get to know a person once they are out of their shell.
One of the main reasons I love Oliver’s poems is because they are very concise and get to the point. I feel as if when poems are longer they lose their message. Oliver’s poems are short, give impactful lessons, and are connected to nature. Everyone should take this poem as a lesson and act in opposition to the hermit crab by coming out of its shell. Each person on earth brings something unique to the world and that can only be shown if we show our true selves. Have you ever had a hard time coming out of your “shell”?
I am kinda jealous of the poet you chose; her poems sound better than my Pick a poet poet. Anyways, this sounds like a very interesting poem, and I love/agree with the underlying message of breaking free from our shell.
ReplyDeleteI agree - short poems are better because they get to their point faster. This poem specifically sounds great because it compares a crab to humans and leaves lots up to the reader.
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