[you fit into me]

Margaret Atwood discusses the tumultuous nature of love in her poem “[you fit into me].” The speaker of the poem states that: “you fit into me / like a hook into an eye” (Lines 1-2). This simple simile, or comparative figure of speech, exposes the speaker’s belief that her and her partner are well suited to each other, intimately connected as if they were manufactured to be that way. Atwood’s diction choice of “hook” and “eye” is purposeful (Line 2), referencing a hook-and-eye closure common on many clothing items. The hook-and-eye closures are small pieces of metal that fasten together, connecting perfectly so that garments remain in place on the body. The tone of Stanza 1 is amiable, comparing the hook-and-eye to romantic compatibility (see: Symbols & Motifs).

However, in Stanza 2, the speaker specifies that the “hook” and “eye” are much more sinister than they appear: “a fish hook / an open eye” (Lines 3-4). Suddenly, the tone of the poem shifts drastically from amiable to ominous (see: Literary Devices). Atwood juxtaposes the sharpness of the “fish hook” (Line 3) with the softness of the “eye” (Line 4), revealing that love is a double-edged sword: perfect at first, and painful once the relationship has run its course (see: Themes).