Analysis of ‘Patterns’ Written by Amy Lowell

Amy Lowell is an American imagist poet who uses descriptive language to create specific images in a readers mind. Set in the Victorian era (1800’s,) the dramatic monologue ‘Patterns’ explores the restrictions of unmarried women in society and the desire for freedom. My view of these issues is that of a feminist reader living in a democratic modern day society, where men and women live in a state of equality and have the right to express their opinions. A feminist reading focuses on the specific treatment of women. Through Lowell’s wondrous use of the poetic techniques, primarily visual imagery (symbolism, repetition, contrasts) and poetic voice (persona and tone,) a modern day feminist reader’s negative views of the restricted lifestyles of unmarried women and the desire for freedom in the Victorian era is reinforced.

During the Victorian era, expectations of women in society were very strict. Clothing was worn as a display of one’s social status, and was known for being uncomfortable. Women wore around five layers of clothing, including the skirt, underskirt, bodice (or whalebone corset), vest (overbodice) and the hoop and collar. Wedding dresses during the Victorian era were made with rich brocades and exquisite jewels that were sewn onto the patterns. Brocade is a hard “fabric woven with an elaborate design” and so the brocaded gowns were known to be very tight and restrictive to movement; many women fainted from a loss of breath due to the tightness of their dresses. Women were not allowed to show