“All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

“All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning was first published in The New Yorker on November 1, 2004, on page 102, and included in Tanning’s poetry collection, Coming to That: Poems, showcasing the poet’s unique blend of surrealism and mysticism. This poem embodies the qualities of Tanning’s work, weaving together vivid imagery, symbolism, and a sense of dreamlike wonder. With its exploration of the threshold between reality and the unknown, “All Hallows’ Eve” invites readers to step into a realm of enchantment and contemplation, characteristic of Tanning’s distinctive style.

Text: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

Annotations: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

Full Line	Annotation
Be perfect, make it otherwise.	The speaker commands to pursue perfection but then suggests subversion or alteration of this perfection.
Yesterday is torn in shreds.	The past is depicted as fragmented or destroyed, suggesting a sense of loss or chaos.
Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes	Vivid imagery comparing lightning to eyes of sulfur, emphasizing its intense and ominous nature.
Rip apart the breathing beds.	Violent imagery suggesting destruction, possibly of graves or resting places.
Hear bones crack and pulverize.	Graphic imagery depicting destruction and decay, creating a sense of unease or horror.
Doom creeps in on rubber treads.	Doom is personified as silently advancing, suggesting an inevitable and ominous presence.
Countless overwrought housewives,	Introduces a group of individuals, possibly symbolizing societal norms or expectations.
Minds unraveling like threads.	Metaphor for mental unraveling or breakdown, suggesting psychological distress or chaos.
Try lipstick shades to tranquilize	Housewives seek solace or distraction through mundane activities like applying lipstick.
Fears of age and general dreads.	References to common anxieties and fears associated with aging or the unknown future.
Sit tight, be perfect, swat the spies,	Directives amidst chaos, implying the need to maintain composure and vigilance.
Don’t take faucets for fountainheads.	Caution against mistaking ordinary objects for extraordinary sources of inspiration or wisdom.
Drink tasty antidotes. Otherwise	Encouragement to seek comfort or escape from troubles through pleasurable distractions.
You and the werewolf: newlyweds.	Unconventional pairing, suggesting a transformation or change in identity.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“Yesterday is torn in shreds.”	Repetition of the “s” sound in “yesterday,” “is,” and “shreds” creates a sense of fragmentation and destruction.
Allusion	“All Hallows’ Eve”	Reference to the traditional eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day (also known as Halloween).
Anaphora	“Be perfect, make it otherwise.”	Repetition of the phrase “Be perfect” at the beginning of two consecutive lines for emphasis and structure.
Assonance	“Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes”	Repetition of the long “i” sound in “lightning” and “sulfur” creates an eerie and intense auditory effect.
Consonance	“Countless overwrought housewives”	Repetition of the “s” sound in “countless,” “housewives,” and “overwrought” creates a soft and flowing rhythm.
Enjambment	“Rip apart the breathing beds. / Hear bones crack and pulverize.”	The continuation of a sentence from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation enhances the sense of urgency and violence.
Hyperbole	“Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes”	Exaggeration of the number of eyes attributed to lightning, emphasizing its intense and powerful nature.
Imagery	“Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes”	Vivid description that appeals to the senses, creating a visual image of lightning with sulfur-colored eyes.
Metaphor	“Minds unraveling like threads”	Comparison between minds and unraveling threads, suggesting a gradual breakdown or disintegration of mental states.
Onomatopoeia	“Hear bones crack and pulverize.”	Words that imitate the sound they describe, enhancing the auditory experience and emphasizing the violence depicted.
Oxymoron	“Tasty antidotes”	Contradictory terms juxtaposed to create a surprising or intriguing effect, suggesting comfort in something paradoxical.
Personification	“Doom creeps in on rubber treads.”	Attribution of human characteristics (creeping) to non-human entities (doom), creating a sense of impending threat.
Repetition	“Be perfect, make it otherwise.”	Repeated phrase for emphasis, urging the reader to consider and reconsider the notion of perfection.
Simile	“You and the werewolf: newlyweds.”	Comparison between “you” and “the werewolf” using “like” or “as,” implying a deep and transformative connection.
Symbolism	“Breathing beds”	The beds symbolize life or vitality, and their destruction suggests mortality or the cessation of life.
Synecdoche	“Try lipstick shades to tranquilize”	The mention of lipstick stands for a broader concept of attempting to find calmness or control amidst chaos.
Tone	“Sit tight, be perfect, swat the spies,”	The imperative tone conveys a sense of urgency and authority, instructing the reader on how to respond to chaos.
Assonance	“Don’t take faucets for fountainheads.”	Repetition of the “o” sound in “faucets” and “fountainheads” creates a melodious effect and emphasizes the cautionary message.
Metonymy	“Drink tasty antidotes”	The term “antidotes” stands for anything that provides comfort or relief, representing a broader concept of solace.
Repetition	“Be perfect, make it otherwise.”	The repetition of the imperative command emphasizes the importance of striving for perfection while also subverting it.

Themes: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

• Imperfection and Striving for Perfection: The poem grapples with the tension between the desire for perfection and the reality of imperfection. This theme is encapsulated in the line “Be perfect, make it otherwise,” which suggests an unattainable ideal while acknowledging the need to confront imperfection. The juxtaposition of the command to “Be perfect” with the subsequent instruction to “make it otherwise” underscores the futility of pursuing perfection in a world marked by destruction and decay.
• Fear and Anxiety: Fear permeates the poem, manifesting in various forms such as the fear of aging, the fear of the unknown, and the fear of impending doom. The imagery of “Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes” evokes a sense of dread, while the mention of “general dreads” alludes to pervasive anxieties. The portrayal of “overwrought housewives” seeking solace in mundane activities like applying lipstick highlights the ways in which individuals attempt to cope with their fears amidst the chaos of All Hallows’ Eve.
• Transformation and Metamorphosis: The theme of transformation emerges through the unexpected pairing of “You and the werewolf: newlyweds.” This line suggests a metaphorical transformation or change in identity, as the speaker aligns the reader with the figure of the werewolf, traditionally associated with metamorphosis. This theme underscores the idea of embracing change amidst the upheaval and destruction of All Hallows’ Eve, hinting at the potential for growth and renewal even in the face of darkness.
• Decay and Mortality: Throughout the poem, there are vivid images of decay and destruction, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. Lines such as “Yesterday is torn in shreds” and “Hear bones crack and pulverize” evoke a sense of fragility and transience. The mention of “breathing beds” being ripped apart suggests the cessation of life, while the imagery of “Doom creeps in on rubber treads” underscores the looming presence of death. These motifs of decay and mortality serve as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of existence and the constant cycle of life and death.

Literary Theories and “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

Literary Theory	Application	Explanation
Surrealism	Imagery, metaphor (e.g., “Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes”, “Minds unraveling like threads”)	Tanning’s use of dreamlike, fantastical elements and unusual comparisons creates a sense of uncertainty and blurs reality.
Feminist Criticism	Portrayal of housewives, emphasis on societal expectations (“Be perfect”, “Try lipstick shades to tranquilize”)	The poem critiques societal pressure on women to conform and the resulting anxiety and disintegration of identity.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Werewolf as symbol of repressed desires, “Fears of age and general dreads”	The poem explores the unconscious mind and the struggle to contain primal fears and desires, reflecting Tanning’s interest in psychoanalysis.
Absurdism	Dark humor, unexpected juxtapositions (“You and the werewolf: newlyweds”)	The poem’s tone and imagery create a sense of absurdity, highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations and the human condition.
Symbolism	Use of symbols like lightning, werewolf, and lipstick	These symbols represent the power of the unconscious, the struggle with primal fears, and the societal pressure to conform, respectively.

Critical Questions about “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

• Question 1: How does the poem explore the tension between societal expectations and individual identity?
• The poem critiques the pressure to conform to societal norms, exemplified in the repeated command “Be perfect.” This expectation is contrasted with the speaker’s inner turmoil, as seen in the lines “Minds unraveling like threads” and “Fears of age and general dreads.” The speaker’s struggle to maintain a perfect facade while dealing with internal anxieties highlights the tension between societal expectations and individual identity.
• Question 2: How does the poem use surrealism to convey the speaker’s emotional state?
• The poem employs surrealistic imagery, such as “Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes” and “Drink tasty antidotes,” to create a dreamlike atmosphere that reflects the speaker’s anxious and disjointed mental state. These images disrupt the reader’s expectations and create a sense of uncertainty, mirroring the speaker’s feelings of disorientation and disintegration.
• Question 3: What role does gender play in the poem’s exploration of identity and societal pressure?
• The poem specifically highlights the experiences of women, with the line “Countless overwrought housewives” emphasizing the gendered nature of societal expectations. The speaker’s reference to “lipstick shades” and the need to “tranquilize” fears also underscores the gendered aspects of societal pressure. The poem critiques the ways in which women are socialized to prioritize appearance and conformity over individual identity.
• Question 4: How does the poem’s use of dark humor and irony contribute to its themes and tone?
• The poem’s final line, “You and the werewolf: newlyweds,” is a darkly humorous and ironic comment on the speaker’s situation. This line highlights the absurdity of societal expectations and the ways in which individuals are forced to conform, even to the point of losing their own identity. The use of dark humor and irony adds a layer of complexity to the poem’s themes and tone, underscoring the speaker’s sense of desperation and frustration.

Literary Works Similar to “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

1. “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot: This poem explores themes of emptiness, disillusionment, and the fear of meaninglessness. Like “All Hallows’ Eve,” it delves into the darker aspects of human existence and the search for significance in a world marked by decay and despair.
2. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Another work by T.S. Eliot, this poem delves into themes of existential angst, isolation, and the passage of time. Like “All Hallows’ Eve,” it captures the sense of unease and uncertainty that pervades modern life.
3. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: Yet another poem by T.S. Eliot, “The Waste Land” explores themes of fragmentation, disillusionment, and spiritual desolation. It shares with “All Hallows’ Eve” a sense of fragmentation and decay, as well as a preoccupation with the emptiness and futility of existence.
4. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe: This classic poem by Poe explores themes of grief, loss, and the inevitability of death. Like “All Hallows’ Eve,” it uses vivid imagery and evocative language to create a sense of unease and foreboding.
5. “The Hollow of the Three Hills” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: This short story in poetic form explores themes of guilt, punishment, and the consequences of sin. Like “All Hallows’ Eve,” it delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the psychological toll of past actions.

Suggested Readings: “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

• Carruthers, Victoria. “Dorothea Tanning and her gothic imagination.” (2011).
• Lumbard, Paula. “Dorothea Tanning: On the Threshold to a Darker Place.” Woman’s Art Journal 2.1 (1981): 49-52.
• Hamimed, Nadia. “Dorothea Tanning: Erotic and Dark Aesthetics.” International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature 11.4 (2022): 34-40.
• Lundström, Anna. “Bodies and Spaces: On Dorothea Tanning’s Sculptures.” Konsthistorisk Tidskrift 78.3 (2009): 121-130.
• Tanning, Dorothea. “All Hallows’ Eve.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/55079/all-hallows-eve

Representative Quotations “All Hallows’ Eve” by Dorothea Tanning

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspectives
“Be perfect, make it otherwise.”	Opening lines, setting tone	Feminist Criticism: highlights societal pressure on women to conform; Psychoanalytic Theory: reflects the tension between the conscious and unconscious mind
“Lightning’s thousand sulfur eyes / Rip apart the breathing beds.”	Imagery of destruction and chaos	Surrealism: dreamlike, fantastical elements; Absurdism: unexpected, violent imagery
“Countless overwrought housewives, / Minds unraveling like threads”	Description of women’s mental state	Feminist Criticism: critiques societal expectations and gender roles; Psychoanalytic Theory: explores the unconscious mind and repressed desires
“Try lipstick shades to tranquilize / Fears of age and general dreads”	Women’s attempts to cope with anxiety	Feminist Criticism: highlights gendered societal pressure; Symbolism: lipstick as a symbol of societal conformity
“You and the werewolf: newlyweds”	Final line, darkly humorous	Absurdism: unexpected, ironic conclusion; Symbolism: werewolf as a symbol of repressed desires and the unconscious mind