Sea Violet Essay Questions

Why is the phrase "fragile as agate" significant?

This phrase is highly suggestive in that an agate rock is still a rock, and thus hard and strong. Further, agate is fine-grained, so the rock literally contains multitudes, and is known for its varieties of color. Therefore, the phrase "fragile as agate" is not as simple as imagining that the sea violet is delicate like a crumbly rock. The speaker might be suggesting that the sea violet, a symbol of the female subject, may be fragile at times, and perhaps even a victim of harm, but is also rich, multifarious, complex, and of a diverse group that cannot be pigeon-holed or labelled in a homogenizing manner. This simile, then, makes a strong statement about the treatment and judgment of women, their looks, and their character, and offers an alternative view of womanhood.

What makes the last two lines of the poem so powerful?

The lines "but you catch the light— / frost, a star edges with its fire" are so poignant, firstly, because the speaker is directly addressing the sea violet, which makes the tone of admiration and respect personal and visceral. The alliteration of "frost" and "fire" provides a passionate euphony, and the image of a bright white violet reflecting the sun's rays is clear and splendid. Even further, the speaker compares the sea violet's dazzling reflection of the sun to "frost" and a star that "edges" or moves slightly "with its fire." This last line indicates that the sea violet has an inherent ability to embody the most powerful and intense elements known to earth, the coldest, most exquisite glaze across vegetation in the winter, and the whitest and brightest burn of a star millions of miles away. The expansiveness of these metaphors alludes to the speaker's hope that a new view of the female subject, symbolized by the sea violet, would acknowledge that women can thrive in a chaotic milieu, contain both fragile and potent qualities, and dazzle others without receiving admiration for their beauty alone.