Siren Song Margaret Atwood Analysis

Margaret Atwood’s poem “Siren Song” is a story that has been retold for generations; a tale of beauty, distress, and the ultimate betrayal. Margaret Atwood’s allusion, and the title of the poem itself set the stage for a story in which the readers already know the ending. As the siren leads her victims to their death, she seems bored, unamused, and ultimately unhappy. However, the siren uses her appearance, and her ability to gain sympathy in the minds of her targets, to lead them to their demise. Margaret Atwood is precise in using each aspect of her poem to guide the reader through her version of the “cat and mouse” game between the siren and her prey. Atwood first uses the allusion of the sirens, in order to invoke a sense of knowledge
She cuts off the verses mid thought in order to grab her audience’s attention, drawing them into the story. In the beginning and end of the poem, Atwood makes the verses shorter and breaks them up in order to heighten the suspense. She also continues to mention the secret, but does not elude to its meaning, ensuring that she has hooked the reader until the end of the poem. When reaching the conclusion of the poem, the reader has completely forgotten that the ending was going to be so obvious because they were caught up in the suspense and mystery that Atwood presented. Atwood uses her creative style to keep the reader immersed throughout the poem, even though the allusion itself is so redundant. Margaret Atwood breaks up her poem in such a way that leaves the reader eager to find out what happens next, and discover what the secret is. By showing the reader the siren’s point of view, Atwood gives the otherwise heartless killer compassion and softness that would usually not be felt. Like the siren herself, Atwood plays with her audience and holds their attention until the end, and then she strikes with the conclusion everyone saw