“arms that were lovely Helen’s, in whose name

Greek slaughtered Trojan. Helen was to blame.”

 

Also, in lines 6-8 it illustrates her as being a scape-goat. Someone for whom battles for land and rewards were not appealing.

“Scape-nanny call her; wars for turf

and profit don’t sound glamorous enough.”

After Zeus transforms himself into a bull, he visits her.

She realizes he is a god. He then professes his love to her and rapes her.

This shows the author’s point regarding the mistreatment of women throughout history.

Europe is named after the victim, Europa, however, Zeus is free of blame.

In lines 2-4 it refers to the arms belonging to the fair Helen, who was ascribed with the Trojan War. 

“arms that were lovely Helen’s, in whose name

Greek slaughtered Trojan. Helen was to blame.”

 

2. The theme of feminism 

In lines 8-12 the poem alludes to the Rape of Europa, which is a virgin princess.

After Zeus transforms himself into a bull, he visits her.

She realizes he is a god. He then professes his love to her and rapes her.

This shows the author’s point regarding the mistreatment of women throughout history.

Europe is named after the victim, Europa, however, Zeus is free of blame.

arms that are braceleted and white and bare

 

arms that were lovely Helen’s, in whose name

Greek slaughtered Trojan. Helen was to blame.”

 

o “Old Zeus refused to take the rap.

It’s not his name in big print on the map.”

o  “But let’s go back to the beginning

when sinners didn’t know that they were sinning.

 

He, one rib short: she lived to rue it

when Adam said to God, “She made me do it.”

 

Eve learned that learning was a dangerous thing

for her: no end of trouble would it bring.”

o   “An educated woman is a danger.

Lock up your mate! Keep a submissive stranger”

o “Whether we wield a scepter or a mop

It’s clear you fear that we may get on top.”

o  “And if we do –I say it without animus–

It’s not from you we learned to be magnanimous.”

o  “But let’s go back to the beginning when sinners didn’t know that they were sinning.” 

arms that are braceleted and white and bare

 

arms that were lovely Helen’s, in whose name

Greek slaughtered Trojan. Helen was to blame.

 

Scape-nanny call her; wars for turf

and profit don’t sound glamorous enough.

 

Mythologize your women! None escape.

Europe was named from an act of bestial rape:

 

Eponymous girl on bull-back, he intent

on scattering sperm across a continent.

 

Old Zeus refused to take the rap.

It’s not his name in big print on the map.

 

But let’s go back to the beginning

when sinners didn’t know that they were sinning.

 

He, one rib short: she lived to rue it

when Adam said to God, “She made me do it.”

 

Eve learned that learning was a dangerous thing

for her: no end of trouble would it bring.

 

An educated woman is a danger.

Lock up your mate! Keep a submissive stranger

 

like Darby’s Joan, content with church and Kinder,

not like that sainted Joan, burnt to a cinder.

 

Whether we wield a scepter or a mop

It’s clear you fear that we may get on top.

 

And if we do –I say it without animus–

It’s not from you we learned to be magnaminous.