The Silent Pain
In the poem The Other Side Of A Mirror by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge. The speaker is reflecting on the silent pain felt by victims of sexual assault and the following feelings of depression. She mentions "the hideous wound
in silence and secret bled". This refers to the wounds both physical, psychological and, emotional that were left on her after her assault. She also mentions that she must push down what happened and not speak of it. "No sigh relieved her speechless woe, She had no voice to speak her dread". In the 19th century, the topic of sexual assault was almost never discussed and if a woman came forward she would automatically be judged as responsible and would have her reputation ruined, This is why most victims never spoke about it. She also mentions her feelings of depression that overwhelmed her after the assault. Writing about "the dying flame of life's desire", this is a feeling that is very common among victims especially if they are unable to talk about what happened with someone. |