An Analysis of Kamala Das’s “Annette”

Kamala Das’s poem “Annette” talks about a moment in time that reflects on personal thoughts and feelings.

The title, “Annette,” tells us we’re looking at a person named Annette. The poem describes Annette standing at a dresser, a piece of furniture where people usually keep personal things. Annette is touching her wheat-brown hair, and the poem paints a picture of her thinking about herself, like looking in a mirror.

The poet uses words like “mirror-fields” to describe the mirrors Annette is using. It’s like she’s in a field of mirrors, showing she’s thinking deeply about who she is. The idea of “reaping / That wheat brown hair” tells us she’s doing this thoughtfully, like she’s gathering her thoughts.

The poem is also about beauty, described as “falling as chaff in old mirrors.” Beauty is compared to the outer part of grains that are separated during threshing. This suggests that, just like grain husks are removed, beauty changes over time. The “old mirrors” remind us that this change is happening over a long period.

The poem also brings in a broader view by talking about calendars turning in cities. This means time passing, not just for Annette but for everyone in different places. The turning calendars show that time moves forward everywhere, and the poet wants us to think about this shared experience.

The tone of the poem is thoughtful and reflective. It’s like Das is inviting us to share in Annette’s moment of thinking about herself. The use of simple language and relatable scenes makes it easy for us to connect with Annette’s experience.

To sum it up, “Annette” is a poem that talks about Annette taking a moment to think about herself. The mirrors, the wheat-brown hair, and the turning calendars help us see her thoughts and feelings. Das uses simple words to show us the beauty of this reflective moment and how it’s something everyone can understand and relate to.