Essay About Love in Baraka’s For Hettie

Searching for a Deeper Love in Baraka’s For Hettie

Amari Baraka’s poem, "For Hettie," may seem to be like just another Hallmark card; trite, overly simplistic, and unrealistic. However, after reading this poem, our thoughts changed drastically. Our first impressions were that it was insulting and offensive. The speaker criticizes almost every aspect of his wife, even her unborn child. The first time through, we saw no evidence of love or affection. In addition, we also recognized how it could be interpreted as a loving view, with the central concept being imperfect love. Either way, both sides provide convincing arguments for each perspective.

The speaker is supposed to be writing a love poem to his wife, but the unmistakable criticism he places on her makes one wonder if this is really love he speaks of. It may not be a "traditional" love story, but he does not need to degrade his wife in this manner. Reading through this poem the first time made us feel defensive and almost angry at the speaker for criticizing his wife so badly. Although it is flattering to be the subject of a poem, we do not think many women would like to be written about in this way.

Hettie is left-handed, which seems to be the whole basis of her "weirdness." He says it is "A sin and a shame" (Baraka 7.699) how people always try to be different. Why does he consider her left-handedness a shame? It is not fair to say this, because she has no control over it. Also, her husband commands her like she is an animal, and thinks he must tell her what to do, and what is right, because after all, he evidently has all the answers. At one point he even appears angry because she is not writing in the proper direction, and he shows this anger in a particular style. Written in all caps he says to her, "TAKE THAT DAMN PENCIL OUTTA THAT HAND. YOU’RE RITING BACKWARDS" (13-15.699). From the way she dresses to the way she acts, she cannot please this man. He even goes so far as to "attack" their child that is soon to be born. He states, "& now her belly droops over the seat. They say it’s a child. But I ain’t so sure" (16-19.699). A loving husband would not make such offensive comments about the woman he supposedly loves.