Figs
by D.H. Lawrence
This poem is from his 1923 collection, Birds, Beasts, and Flowers. Click here for the text.
Discussion questions:
How does Lawrence
contrast proper and vulgar at the beginning of the poem? Why is this
distinction important at the end of the poem?
Lawrence claims in
line 9 that "Every fruit has its secret." What is the fig's secret and
how does Lawrence want the reader to apply that to our understanding of human
nature?
In what ways do
you read this poem concerning women's equality? In what ways are those
concerns subsumed by larger issues?
cut fig photo by Mark Rieger from Mark's
Fruit Crops. Used by permission. Please do not reproduce.
Created by Stan Galloway 2