18 pages • 36 minutes read
Harryette MullenElliptical
Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
A Division Continuing to Divide
“Elliptical” shows a division between two groups through the simple use of pronouns: we versus them. The first line of the poem already sets the tone of tension: “They just can’t seem to…” (Line 1). When someone processes an argument and wants to state their reasons, it is natural to start with what the other person is doing that someone does not like. Because of the artistic choice to show “our” perspective, it feels as if the “we” group is of a lower social status and trying to determine the behaviors of the group of higher status, as is the case of the racist, classist, and feminist issues that influence Mullen’s writing. Words like “entitled” in the phrase “On the / other hand they obviously feel entitled to…” (Lines 6-7) also add to the interpretation that the two groups are not on equal footing. It is difficult to state this interpretation, though, with 100% certainty, given that the poem does not show the “they” group’s point of view. The poet does not seem interested or able at this time in showing the reader the other side. While the poem does dart back and forth, giving the “they” group credit occasionally while directly pointing at problems at other times, showing an ultimate state of flux, the “we” group does not ever come to any sort of decision that would suggest unity or cohesion by the poem’s end. In fact, the ending line of the poem seems unfavorable about bridging the divide: “Our interactions unfortunately have been…” (Line 9). There is no subsequent contrasting line using the word “fortunately” to show the potential for change.
Empathy from One Side
When factions exist between groups, it is easy to assume that the opposing group is completely wrong. At the same time, reasons exist for why people think and behave the way they do. If the goal is to achieve common ground, then stepping inside the shoes of the other group and attempting to understand a group’s way of thinking can be paramount at times. In “Elliptical,” there are sentences that appear to state that the “they” group is outright doing something, such as, “simply refuse to” (Line 6). Along with these sentences are ones that attempt to understand “their” point of view. For example, “But we know how difficult it is for them…” (Line 5) shows the “we” group attempting to ascertain the challenges the “they” group faces, challenges that may affect how they think and behave. Another line veering toward empathy is “Of course their perspective has been limited by…” (Line 6). The poem speaks from the “we” perspective, so the reader only sees “us” having opinions and trying to understand “them” and not the other way around, suggesting a potential one-way street of empathy. Without seeing an effort to engage from the “they” group, as noted in “If only they would make an effort to…” (Line 4), the “we” group could begin to suffer from empathy fatigue.
Conversely, the empathy displayed by the “we” group can be interpreted as tongue-in-cheek, especially given the us versus them dynamics the poem sets up. The use of terms including “entitled” and “obviously” underscore friction and lend themselves to further comments that might seem passive aggressive or even mocking, such as, “But we know how difficult it is for them…” (Line 5) and “Of course their perspective has been limited by…” (Line 6). The “we” group is saying the “they” group has “difficulties” and is “limited,” almost like backhanded statements/compliments (Lines 5, 6).
An (In)ability to Communicate
The “we” group speaks about a “they” group rather than a “you” group, suggesting that “we” are talking about “them” rather than to “them.” The reader is perhaps left wondering to whom the first-person collective speaker is addressing and what the end goals are. On one hand, the speaker might be practicing a note or speech they could one day edit and share with the “they” party. In some respects, “Elliptical” contains certain elements of conflict-resolution methods, such as DEAR and Clearing, including the sharing of some facts and stories as well as emotions. On the other hand, the speaker might just be sharing and collecting thoughts from the other members of the “we” party to draft ideas and to rationally, and even therapeutically, put pen to paper. As noted above in the A Division Continuing to Divide theme, there seems to be no hopeful resolution or meeting of common ground in the poem, as the piece stands right now. If the goal is to unify, or at least attempt to do so, with the other side, the “they” side would likely have to participate or be invited to do so via direct communication. In a way, participation is already a part of this poem in that the ends of the sentences remain open for people from the “we” and the “they” groups to fill out. In addition, the “they” group might also craft their own piece to share with the “we” group. Because of Mullen’s artistic choices, many options and intentions remain open to possibility, including the approach to communication between the groups.
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