Feminist Reading……. “To his Coy Mistress”

Most feminist have a tendency to dwell heavily on negative aspects. More importantly, they dwell and search for derogatory statements that degrade women. Perhaps, this notion comforts them in a sense that they can argue with the opposite sex and have their voice be heard. “To his Coy mistress” by Andrew Marvell can be utilized to portray this aspect.

The title of the poem can be viewed quite controversially. According to thefreedictionary.com coyness is defined as 1. Tending to avoid people and social situations; reserved. 2. Affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest. 3. Annoyingly unwilling to make a commitment. Hence, how could a “Mistress” be modest and shy? According to the same website, the term mistress can be defined as a woman in a position of authority, control, or ownership, as the head of a household. A woman that is instilled with authority posses dominant and social traits.

The first two lines of the poem state “Had we but world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were no crime.” The notion that I think Marvell is striving to get across here is that if we had enough time in this world, coyness would eventually not be considered a crime. A feminist might raise a few questions about this statement such as, how is coyness a crime; wouldn’t coyness be the preferred trait by men? Further, how is it that we lack time for women and have enough time for revolutions, evolution, and other historical aspects?

Additionally what does Marvell mean when he states “I would love you ten years before the flood; and you should, if you please, refuse till the conversion of the Jews”? A feminist might concentrate on the fact that he mentioned that he would love her ten years before the flood. Why can’t he love her at the present moment? The narrator continues by saying that “My vegetable love should grow”. A feminist might become attentive to the term “vegetable”. What does this term mean and most importantly what does it imply? Does vegetable refer to the lack of cognition? Perhaps, society neglects women emotionally and views them as physical objects. Further, do men genuinely love women or do they view them as baby producing machines? These questions are answered through when the narrator states that “two hundred years to adore each breast, but thirty thousand to the rest; an age at lead to every part, and the last stage should show your heart”. This statement demonstrates that men (society) view women as physical objects and at the very end of their life, “the last stage”, do they notice the inner person that is within each woman. Feminist, through these negative aspects strive to illustrate that our society and literary works are possessed with anti-feminist concepts and through proper knowledge and actions, this matter can be changed.