Redefining the Meaning of Intimacy: A Lexical Stylistic Analysis of Margaret Atwood’s Poem “Variation on the Word Sleep”

Abstract

Margaret Atwood in the literary world is known for the portrayal of a feminist perspective, which is both transgressive and unconventional. Unlike the writers of the previous literary ages who showed love, intimacy and relationship as part of human life, Atwood, in her writings, has presented a new vision of the feminist role and power in society that is beyond the mainstream concepts of love and human bond. This paper, therefore, attempts to unfold and redefine the meaning of love, human relationships, and intimacy in Atwood’s iconic love poem “Variation on the Word Sleep”. The poem has been analyzed adopting a stylistic approach to present a comprehensive analysis focusing on lexical choices and their contribution to Atwood’s subversion of traditional representations of love and intimacy. The study explores Atwood’s use of open class words, lexical density and deviation to highlight the profound reimagining of the empowering themes of love and intimacy as a shared journey into the subconscious, rather than a romantic ideal.