Introduction to 'Eat Me' by Patience Agbabi
Welcome to your study guide for "Eat Me," one of the most striking and memorable poems in your Unit 1 Section A collection. This poem is a "dramatic monologue," which means we hear from a single character telling their story. At first glance, it’s about a relationship involving food and weight, but as you look closer, you'll find it’s a powerful exploration of control, gender, and power. Don't worry if the poem feels a bit intense or strange at first. By breaking down how Agbabi uses language and structure, you’ll be able to write about it with confidence in your exam.What is the Poem About? (Summary)
The poem describes a relationship between a woman (the speaker) and her partner, who acts as a "feeder." He encourages and even forces her to eat so that she becomes extremely large. He finds her size attractive and enjoys the control he has over her body. However, the power balance shifts. By the end of the poem, her physical size—which he created—becomes the tool she uses to overpower him. The story ends with a dark, ironic twist where the "feeder" is essentially "consumed" by the situation he built.Key Themes
When you are comparing "Eat Me" to another poem, you will likely focus on these themes:
1. Power and Control: The poem looks at how people can use others for their own desires. At the start, the man has all the power, but by the end, the woman takes it back.
2. Objectification: The man doesn't see the woman as a person; he sees her as a "pleasure" or a project. She is treated like an object to be built up.
3. Gender Dynamics: The poem explores traditional ideas of a man being the "provider" (bringing the food) and a woman being "consumed" or submissive.
4. Consumption: This is both literal (eating food) and metaphorical (the way the relationship "eats away" at the woman's identity).
Language and Imagery: How Meaning is Shaped (AO2)
Agbabi uses very specific language choices to make the reader feel the physical weight and the emotional tension of the poem.Food and Sensual Language
The poem is full of "sensory" language—words that describe taste, touch, and sound. The use of alliteration (words starting with the same sound) and consonance (repeated consonant sounds) creates a "thick" or "heavy" feeling in the mouth when you read it aloud. This mirrors the physical weight of the speaker. Example: Look for words that sound "squelchy" or "fatty" to describe the food and the body.The Ocean and Geography
The speaker’s body is often described using metaphors of the natural world and geography. Her partner calls her his "ocean" or his "island."Why does Agbabi do this? It suggests that she has become so large she is like a landscape. It also shows how the man wants to "possess" her, much like explorers wanted to "possess" new lands in history. This adds a layer of colonial imagery to the poem—he is "colonizing" her body.
The "Forbidden Fruit"
The poem mentions "forbidden fruit." This is a biblical allusion (a reference to the story of Adam and Eve). It suggests that there is something sinful or dangerous about their relationship and that it will eventually lead to a "fall" or a disaster.Form and Structure
The way a poem looks on the page is just as important as the words!The Tercet Structure
The poem is written in 10 stanzas, each with 3 lines (these are called tercets).Quick Tip: There are 30 lines in total, and the speaker mentions reaching "thirty" (in terms of weight). The rigid, 3-line structure mirrors the strict, controlling nature of the relationship. It feels organized and trapped, just like the speaker.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem uses a very specific rhyme scheme (ABA, BCB, etc.). However, Agbabi often uses half-rhymes (words that sound similar but don't perfectly rhyme, like "cake" and "weight").The effect: This creates a sense of unease. It feels a bit "off," which reflects the unhealthy and "clogged" nature of the relationship.
Connections: Comparing Poems (AO4)
In your exam, you will need to compare "Eat Me" with another poem from the Poems of the Decade anthology. Here are some great pairing ideas:
1. Compare with 'The Deliverer' (Tishani Doshi):
Both poems explore the physical body and how society or individuals can treat women's bodies as objects or "problems."
2. Compare with 'The Gun' (Vicki Feaver):
Both poems deal with power, control, and a sense of growing danger or violence within a domestic setting.
3. Compare with 'The Lammas Hireling' (Ian Duhig):
Both are dramatic monologues with a dark, slightly supernatural or disturbing tone, focusing on a character who may be keeping a dark secret.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Focusing only on the food: Don't just talk about the eating! Make sure you discuss the power struggle. The food is a symbol of control.
2. Forgetting the ending: The ending is a massive shift in power. Ensure you analyze the last few stanzas where the speaker moves from being a victim to being an "overpowering" force.
3. Ignoring the "Voice": Remember, this is a persona. It's not necessarily the poet's own voice. Talk about how the tone changes from submissive and passive to cold and powerful.
Key Takeaways for Revision
Checklist: Can you explain...
- How the tercet structure reflects the theme of control?
- Why Agbabi uses ocean and landscape imagery to describe the woman?
- How the power dynamic shifts from the beginning to the end?
- Which other poem you would pair this with for a comparison essay?