Point of View

The speaker is an omniscient, external narrator. However, they can be interpreted as a first-person voice because they directly address the object of the poem, or the reader, as “you.” The speaker references biblical, cultural, and literary allusions which give it a sense of being a very broad, overarching perspective; at the same time, they display a clear sense of judgement against those who seek knowledge (and, it is implied, particularly women who view the world through a curious lens). In this way the narrator can be viewed as a personification of a larger social idea like the patriarchy, or the divide between progress and tradition.

Language and Meaning

The language in “Admonitions” is largely metaphorical and symbolic, inviting closer reading and interpretation. Although the majority of the word choices are straightforward, they’re used in such a way that creates imagery and meaning beyond...