The Root

Brayden Matheson
ENGL 160C
March 19, 2023

Annie Finch's poem "The Root" delves into the themes of women's empowerment and the ongoing battle for women’s justice. Finch wrote this poem as a villanelle consisting of five tercets and a concluding quatrain while also utilizing repetition and horrific language to create a powerful and daunting portrayal of the effects of trauma. Finch uses the metaphor of the root to convey the cycle of trauma and the struggle of releasing from its tight grip. Alongside the themes of trauma, the poem is also a strong statement of female empowerment and sorority amongst women, as the speaker calls on women to fight against those perpetuating sexual violence. Through the use of form, imagery, and figurative language,

The poem also follows an alternating rhyme scheme that creates a very uneasy and repetitive structure, emphasizing the theme of trauma and the ongoing battle for comfort in one’s own skin. This repetition also evokes the psychological effects of trauma because of the reader's ability to anticipate the repeated lines and the emotions they present. Alongside the villanelle's use of repetition, the rigidity of the form contrasts with the visceral and natural language used to describe the violence, creating tension that increases the poem’s emotional impact. Overall, Finch's use of form adds to the power and meaning of the poem by emphasizing the vicious cycle of trauma and creating a melodious quality that contrasts with the brutality of the

Finch uses simple, direct vernacular to convey trauma and the impacts of sexual violence. Specific phrases, such as "thick cigar stubbed in my young tongue's root" and "my broken body" create an unsettling image in the reader's mind (Finch, 2019). The repetition of phrases like "from an unspiraled root" further emphasizes the cyclical nature of trauma and the trials of escaping (Finch, 2019, line 3). The use of figurative language, such as the metaphor of the root and the imagery of the pomegranate, further adds depth and richness to the poem. The use of exclamation marks and fragmented sentences throughout the poem also creates a sense of urgency and raw emotion, making the poem have a sense of dire