What's that smell in the kitchen response paper - Essay Example

“What’s That Smell in the Kitchen Response Journal. Marge Piercy’s “What’s That Smell in the Kitchen?” is a rebellious anthem to feminism. It sounds like a battle-cry against men. In fact, Piercy is unequivocal in her declaration of war against men: “Burning dinner is not incompetence but war.” (Piercy, 19). I must say that my first impression of the poem is that it gives off a fire which is hotter than my kitchen burner! One cannot help but be drawn into the passionate poem. It is extremely emotional in tone and the overriding impression is one of great anger.

In order to make meaning of the text, we must take into consideration the fact that Marge Piercy is obviously a feminist who is dedicated to her cause. This poem can be understood only through an understanding of the poet as a dedicated feminist. Written in free verse, in easily understandable, everyday language, the poem strikes a very personal note. Piercy adopts an extreme stand, as seen in the lines, “If she wants to grill anything,/ its her husband spitted over a slow fire” (10/11).

She is in a murderous rage: literally! It is difficult to identify with this level of hatred against the male sex. Perhaps, things were different for Piercy in the 1950s. In the present ambience of female liberty, even admitting the continued existence of glass ceilings for women and covert discrimination, the situation has changed. Contemporary women would find it difficult to muster the rage which animates Piercy’s poem. The overall tone of the poem is anger. The vivid imagery conjures up sputtering pans of hot oil, sparks flying from barbeques and carcasses turning over blazing pits.

These images can be interpreted as metaphors for the anger which consumes the poet. The poem is rich is metaphors and images. I find the line “food theyre supposed to bring with calico smile on platters glittering like wax” (Piercy, 5/6) particularly effective in conveying the poet’s resentment against women being confined in the stereotypical role of housewife and provider of food for the family. The woman must put on the artificial façade of bright good cheer, as symbolized by ‘calico smile’ and make sure that the house is clean and polished.

These lines emphatically convey the frustration of a woman trapped in the daily round of domestic chores. Not only does the poem highlight the lack of fulfillment experienced by housewives, it also indicates the lack of recognition and appreciation for her daily drudgery. This is vividly suggested in the lines, “Her life is cooked and digested, nothing but leftovers in Tupperware” (Piercy, 15/16). The reference to “roast duck” and “spam” may be in the context that a man usually treasures a woman during the period of courtship and gives priority to her happiness.

Once they are married, the woman is expected to be content with her role as a homemaker and she is taken very much for granted. In “What’s That Smell in the Kitchen?” Marge Piercy rails against the subjugation of women in the domestic sphere. She makes it clear that women are more than the mere providers of food. She has obviously reached the end of her patience and is ready to say, ‘Enough!’ Her poem reminds me of the ‘bra burning’ resorted to by feminists in the past. Like that symbolic gesture, Piercy’s burning of food is also symbolic of women casting off the chains of gender discrimination.

Although the rage of the poet makes a powerful impression on me, I cannot help but also smile as I read this poem.Works Cited.Piercy, Marge. “What’s That Smell in the Kitchen?” Title of Collection. Ed. Editors Name(s). City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page number of poem. Print.