The speaker acknowledges that she has made herself hard and is experiencing depression; she knows she is waiting for someone who is not going to come back. She also shows the ability to take stock of her situation and realize that she contributed to it and must take responsibility for it. Nevertheless, cruel words easily shatter her. She recalls an incident from the past when a man she knew forced himself on her. She knows it us up to her to heal herself, and she makes every effort to do so, but she cannot help recalling the pain and humiliation that robbed her of her sense of self.
The speaker struggles to accept her body exactly the way it is, yet she also tries many cosmetics to make herself more beautiful. Never satisfied with the results, she continues the search. She compares herself unfavorably to other people, while at the same time trying to lift herself up with encouraging words and the expression of new-found wisdom. She recalls early childhood trauma when she was touched sexually, and how, at the age of 12, when her body started to mature, she hated it. Still trying to find a positive way, she tells herself just to let go and allow everything to happen.
Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
Beauty
View Collection
Canadian Literature
View Collection
Earth Day
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Forgiveness
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Hate & Anger
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Memory
View Collection
Mental Illness
View Collection
New York Times Best Sellers
View Collection
Pride & Shame
View Collection
Romance
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
Trust & Doubt
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection
Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love
View Collection
Women's Studies
View Collection