Group+10

Group 10 Sammy & Melissa

INTRO: Margaret Atwood's "Siren Song" is characterized by the development of its tone and the message its tone conveys. Atwood uniquely crafts her tone throughout the piece in a way that both intrigues the reader and adds to the context of the "Song" itself. Atwood's use of contradicting ideas develops the seductive tone which gives a deeper meaning to the Siren Song.

BODY #1: Atwood's use of contradicting ideas and descriptions develops the seductive tone of the piece. For example, she establishes the song as something irresistible, yet something that would force “men to leap overboard … even though they see beached skulls”. Since Atwood is describing something so horrible as something "irresistible", the reader is intrigued and wants to know more about the song being sung. In addition, Atwood uses this same contradiction when she presents a paradox in the title of “Siren Song”. A siren is usually associated with harm and danger, while a song is beautiful and pleasing to the ears. These opposing ideas leave the reader seduced and curious as to why the song is so enticing, yet so unpleasant. Atwood describes the siren song as "boring...but works every time". This leaves the reader eager to learn how the song is "boring", but at the same time pleasant. This alluring tone adds to the deeper meaning of the Siren Song itself.

BODY #2: Throughout the Siren Song, the tone helps the reader understand the deeper meaning and message of the poem. The first 24 lines of the poem are very seductive because the sirens are trying to lure a man into a “damsel in distress” situation. The temptation starts when the Siren says, "This is the one song everyone would like to learn: the song that is irresistible" (1-3). Another thing the tone helps the reader notice is that when the Siren says, “Will you get me out of this bird suit... I don’t enjoy it here squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical…” (11-15). in her enticing way that she could be talking to Homer himself. He is the one who portrays the Sirens in such a mythical way as women who are half bird and unreal. So when they refer to him as “unique” they could mean that he is the only one capable of changing their story.

CONCLUSION: The poems use of contradicting ideas and it's seductive tone give the reader a better understanding of the Siren Song. As a reader, we want to know what could make a song so daunting yet alluring at the same time. That simple contradiction has an overall seductive effect on the song, which proves the fact that "it works every time."