Think about a couple that everyone considers to have a successful marriage – what if their relationship is not what they had expected it to be? In order to present a good image in the eyes of others, it is normal for people to try to look as if they were completely satisfied with their lives when, in fact, they are either miserable or simply desiring it was slightly better. “The Marriage”, by Anne Stevenson, is a poem that can spark this idea of how not everything is as it seems – in this specific case, that not every happy couple is as happy as others think they are.
This poem is basically a description of a lying couple and some thoughts from one of the individuals of this relationship. Stevenson uses metaphors to demonstrate her ideas on marriage by the image of the bodies’ position. When it is said that “They will fit, she thinks, /but only if her backbone /cuts exactly into his rib cage” (Stevenson, lines 1 to 3), it could be referring to a compatibility both would have – for instance, possessing the same kind of hobbies and goals, what could make their relationship better and easier. However, the lines that goes as “All could be well /if only/they could face each other” (Stevenson, lines 8 to 10) implies that, even having many things in common, they are not as intimate as desired.
Even though the two of them are not satisfied with their situation, outsiders can still see the couple as being blessed. This is implied at the end of the poem, when the lyric self affirm that “They look, at least, /as if they were going /in the same direction” (Stevenson, lines 18 to 20). It is clear that, despite the lucky thought that the poem’s title may bring to mind, Stevenson presents a cold, realistic opinion on such topic.
In “The Marriage”, Anne Stevenson tries to show how assumptions of other people’s relationship based only on their appearances can be erroneous. Also, it is important to remember that having aspects in common with other, characteristics that seems to be whole when joined, does not guarantee a happy marriage, or even a satisfactory friendship. Everyone should be aware of these facts in order to avoid disappointments in their social lives.
Bibliography
STEVENSON, Anne. “The Marriage”.
English Language II Assignment, under the orientation of Professor Marcela Iochem, PhD.; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2013.1