Eat Me Flashcards
What is a general overview of ‘Eat Me’?
A poem about a fat women being manipulated by a man she is implied to have some sort of sexual relationship with.
How are we made to feel uncomfortable and why?
The simile “Judder like a juggernaut”, and other craft choices like metaphors (e.g.
“I was his Jacuzzi”) and close descriptions make us uncomfortable in order to make us feel and understand the cruelty.
What is the message of the first stanza and how can it be interpreted?
The pun in the first stanza of the word thirty being either age or weight (we later learn it’s weight) creates a message of misplaced values. This can be personal values in as in the poem or the metaphor of the persona as a “globe” could expand this message to our society as having misplaced values.
How is male insecurity shown in ‘Eat Me’
We get hints from the mans speech (in italics). He says he wants girls he “can burrow inside”. This could reflect a desire to hide away. Her fat in his mind could represent a shield to hide behind. This could be an exploration into the cliche that bullies are often themselves troubled.
What is the relevance of the ending?
The persona killing her partner puts readers in a difficult position as we have so far been sympathetic for the persona as a victim. It is easy to say that her actions are justified but can murder ever be justified?
