Say You Love Me

Missing ‘Love’ In “Say You Love Me” Molly Peacock replays a particular incident from her childhood in her point of view with diction and simile to create imagery. She speaks about a time, when her father was intoxicated and when he abused her. The father violently asked her whether she loved him or not. Her younger sister was home, but she could not help because she feared his strength and demeanor. Although, the three family members were at home, a feeling of loneliness struck them all. Peacock tries to convey this frightening scenario to acknowledge that children and women are vulnerable to a man’s strength. Also, she reveals how the people who are being abused may feel in this type of situation. Her audience includes children and women who experience the same abusive relationship. Also, this poem is written for abusers. It forces them to recognize their own missteps and mistakes. People who know friends, family members, or coworkers that are in abusive relationships can relate as well. Her childhood incident teaches everyone else to understand the situation and to help prevent domestic violence.
Through her diction, she uses words like “sob” (7), “hissed” (12), “rage” (14), and “screamed” (30, 37) to describe the hysterical moment that she was in with her father to elevate the reader’s pathos. The word “sob” in this poem is used when the father is begged Peacock to voice that she loved him. It describes the desperation and sadness that the father is feeling; he is feeling unloved and lonely. The sister “hissed” like a snake warning her that there would be danger, if she didn’t tell their father what he wanted to hear. The hiss indicated a sign of disapproval towards the father’s behavior and the sister acceptances of their father’s demands. However, for their safety, the sister told her to give in. The word “rage” in this poem expresses chao in the situation, but also the feeling for not having the power to control say no and being able to have a voice.