Commentary: “A Sad Child”

In the poem “A Sad Child” by Margaret Atwood, the author implies that sadness, or the state of, can be overcame by the likes of the individual. The author also suggests that clenching to sadness can be perilous for anyone and can result in superfluous outcomes. Atwood lacks literary structure throughout the poem, thus, leaving thoughts clustered together in stanzas. Despite the poem obtaining little to no structure, it consists of literary techniques in which enhance the poem, such as connotations to various other meanings, imagery, and the use of punctuation and diction simultaneously.
The title “A Sad Child” appears as contradictory to itself due to the connotations of the words ‘sad’ and ‘child’. The word ‘sad’ brings forth the thought of guilt, betrayal, or simply whatever puts one in a depressing mood. The word ‘child’ tends to represent innocence and can be portrayed as uplifting and joyous. With the poem possessing no real structure, this allows Atwood to say as she feels without the concern for following a certain pattern. The word choice or diction in combination with the punctuation she utilizes provides imagery to the poem, such as when she says “burning car” in the fourth stanza or “ice-cream smear” as stated in the third stanza.
As the poem may refer to the childhood of a female in her youth, it can be seen from the perspective of anyone. Not only does this poem relate to that of the female gender, but the male’s as well. Atwood stresses the fact that keeping a tight grasp on your sorrow is not the wisest of decisions. Doing so can be harmful to oneself, and others as well. As Atwood states, “Go see a shrink or take a pill” but do whatever it takes to overcome your sadness and not dwell upon it.