Thi Lan Anh Ha
Professor Katey Roden
English 105
9 October 2023
In Laurie Clements Lambeth's poem "Seizure, or Seduction of Persephone," the tragic
experience of Persephone, forcibly taken and stripped of her agency over her own body, is as
heart-wrenching as it is thought-provoking. The poem prompts a reevaluation of agency,
vulnerability, and power dynamics, themes that deeply resonate in the real world, particularly in
the behaviors toward individuals with disabilities as the consequence of the prevailing notions of
ableism. To do that, the author tackles the constraints of language by using poetic forms and
metaphorical language, enabling readers to connect emotionally with Persephone's struggles and
relate them to the challenges faced by people with disabilities within the medical, social and
identity model, ultimately shedding light on the poem's core themes and the broader human
experiences it aims to convey.
Title is essential in that it sets the stage for whatever awaits. “Seizure, or Seduction of
Persephone" powerfully slides in, stirring the curiosity of readers. It contrasts two words, each
painting a different picture. "Seizure" hints at something sudden, involuntary, and lacking
control, often associated with medical or physical conditions. On the other hand, "seduction"
implies allure, persuasion, and consent—contrasting starkly with the involuntary nature tied to a
seizure. It's like a sudden clash of sensations, potentially leaving the reader momentarily
disoriented, much like the disorientation one might feel during a seizure. This intentional pairing
carrying tension and discomfort prepares readers for the exploration of Persephone’s tragic
experience.
The medical model is reflected in the portrayal of Persephone's seizure-like experience.
The involuntary actions and movements that occur during a seizure are akin to the lack of control
over one's own body, a hallmark of the medical model. This model often views disability as a
medical condition, focusing on the impairment itself and considering it in a vacuum, without
much consideration for the social and psychological aspects of the disability. The poem's
opening lines immediately draw a parallel between the convulsion and the earth breaking open,
portraying a force that cannot be harnessed or regulated. The use of words like "convulsed" and
"broke" paints a vivid picture of a sudden and violent upheaval, showing the involuntary aspect
of the convulsive episode, which conveys the lack of control during a seizure. Persephone
grapples with the complexity of her experience during a seizure and a moment of intimacy. The
phrase “I could not tell you” (l.9) conveys a sense of confusion, an inability to clearly articulate
or comprehend the experience. The images of limbs flailing and seizing, again, refers to the
physicality, and lack of control during a seizure. Persephone herself is somewhat like an object,
lying there.
The mention of the Richter scale and the shifting of earth's plates introduces a societal
dimension to the poem. The Richter scale is a tool used to measure the magnitude of
earthquakes, and the shifting of the earth's plates refers to the tectonic movements that cause
earthquakes. By incorporating these metaphors, the poet draws a parallel between the convulsive
experience and seismic events. The convulsion is likened to an earthquake, where the body
experiences a sudden and forceful upheaval. This metaphorical comparison extends to the
societal aspect. The use of the Richter scale metaphor underscores how society often measures
and analyzes disabilities, treating them as quantifiable entities to be scrutinized. Similarly, the
metaphor of the shifting earth's plates highlights the societal shifts and movements in attitudes
and perceptions toward disability. Incorporating these metaphors aligns with the social model of
disability. It challenges the traditional medical model that primarily focuses on the individual's
impairments. The Richter scale and earth's plates metaphor invites readers to view disability not
merely as a medical condition but as a complex interplay of societal dynamics, perceptions, and
the individual's experience.
Going back to the question why Persephone was confused, it seems like she kept
receiving mixed signals of Hades, the man who forcefully took her to the underworld. “As he
held/me still in that bed,” (ll.24-25) portrays a moment of physical closeness, where one person
is being held by another. This act can symbolize both comfort and vulnerability, and in the
context of someone experiencing a convulsion, it adds layers of complexity to the situation. The
following lines then reflect the internal struggle and uncertainty of the person being held. “How
was I to discern/if he then learned/ his way through the flesh/ into my need” (ll.26-30).
Persephone was perplexed about the intentions of Hades – whether his engaging with her is
seeking to understand and support her or is attempting to assert his desires and control over the
situation. The uncertainty of this moment described metaphorically as a “blue moment” with
“blue” associated with a state of emotional ambiguity, confusion, and mystery as in “feeling
blue”. This reflects the difficulty in deciphering whether the person engaging with Persephone
did so with a genuine understanding of her needs and boundaries, or if their actions were driven
by a sense of entitlement. Once again, the questions about consent and agency are raised,
particularly for those with disabilities who struggle to communicate their boundaries and
experiences, putting forth the question whether the society is giving them their needs and being
aware of their boundaries.
The imagery of “rupture/the field from within/ my ownunruly body?” (ll.31-33) suggests
a sense of invasion and disruption with Persephone’s body, indicating immense struggle for
agency and control. The phrase “my own unruly body” is very odd to me in that one cannot rule
his or her body. In the context of the poem, it could refer to the involuntary actions and
movements that occur during a seizure. However, lying underneath that is a sense of frustration
almost to the point of giving up on the arduous battle of retracing control over one’s own body.
In the real world, that unruly body may also mean how others perceive people with disability,
who would forge a consistent sense of self, influence by how their condition affects their body
and the perceptions of society. The battle in the poem can be connected to the inner turmoil of
people with disability, fighting with their shaping own affirmations against ableist ideas.
To foster better understanding, Lambeth uses poetic forms to create a bodily sensation from
readers as to further get her points across. Her use of repeating sounds, like 'b' in words such as
"broke," "belly," and "body," as well as 's' in "skin" and "sheet," not only adds a musical quality
to the poem but also underscores the struggle depicted in the narrative. The repetition mirrors the
repetitive and arduous nature of the convulsive experience, allowing the reader to emotionally
resonate with the struggle. Lambeth creates a visual split in the poem, like a gap that interrupts the
poem's flow. This interruption represents the sudden and forceful disruption of both the body and
the earth, as seen during a seizure. These intentional breaks not only imitate the physical impact
of a seizure but also show how words can't fully capture this bodily experience. The frequent use
of "breaking" in the poem is mirrored by intentional breaks in the lines, happening just before or
after a natural pause. These interruptions make the reader pause unexpectedly, just like one might
feel breathless or overwhelmed during a seizure. The way the poem is written makes you feel it
with your body as you read. It's like the poem is breathing, and it's a reminder that the structure of
the poem is deeply connected to how we feel in our bodies. Lambeth purposely adds breaks in the
lines, making you pause when you might not expect it. This makes you feel a certain way, and it's
an important part of how the poem makes you feel things.
"Seizure, or Seduction of Persephone" by Laurie Clements Lambeth delves deeply into the
human experience by exploring key themes of vulnerability, power dynamics, and the struggle for
bodily autonomy. On a personal level, the poem vividly portrays the convulsive episode and the
confusion it brings. This personal struggle is a powerful metaphor for the broader human struggle
to exert control over our lives, desires, and circumstances. Also, the poem addresses the theme of
disability and how it intertwines with the personal experience. Lambeth's own diagnosis of
multiple sclerosis adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, highlighting the medical aspect of
disability. However, the poem goes beyond a mere medical narrative. It engages with the social
model of disability, emphasizing how societal perceptions, expectations, and even intimate
interactions contribute to one's experience of disability that ultimately leads the person to suffer
from identity crisis.
In essence "Seizure, or Seduction of Persephone" profoundly explores the human
experience through the lens of disability, prompting critical reflections on power dynamics,
agency, and societal attitudes. It challenges the conventional medical model of disability and
urges a broader understanding that encompasses the emotional, social, and individual dimensions
of the human condition. The poem encourages empathy, introspection, and a more inclusive
perspective toward disability, advocating for a society that embraces and accommodates diverse
experiences and identities. Through the lens of Persephone's myth, the poem urges us to
recognize.
Works Cited
Roden, Katey. “Seizure, or Seduction of Persephone” Poetry Packet II
The Literature of Illness & Disability. 9 October 2023. Class handout