The name Desdemona (Symbol)
The narrator begins reciting the poem by stating that her name is not just like any other because it has a hidden meaning. Desdemona means desolation, unlucky, and doom. In defining her name, the narrator says 'Desdemona is my name. The name Desdemona means misery. It means ill-fated. It means Doom." At the time Desdemona is born, her parents already know her unfortunate future. In this society, a girl child is under the mercy of harsh culture and the control of men. Therefore, any girl is subjected to an unfortunate future and Desdemona is not an exception.
The symbol of Manhood
Manhood is used in this poem figuratively to represent the male's preeminence in society. A male child is raised knowing that he is a superior being. Culture favors the boy child and presents all opportunities to him. Unlike the girl child who is raised to fear and respect men throughout her life, the boy child is raised knowing that he is the dominant one who is in control over women.
The symbol of the underwater women
The underwater women are used emblematically in this poem to represent the robust women who have gone against the culture that demeans the female gender. Such brave women are rare to find in a society where men rules and dominate. Desdemona says, ‘I join the underwater women; stroll with them in a dark light, listen to their music in the spangled deep." The narrative that strong women live underwater is figurative in meaning implying that critiquing men can be done far away in the deep waters where men cannot interrupt. Desdemona refuses to accept the meaning of her name which means misery simply because she is born a female. She argues that she cannot live in misery under the umbrella of the name she did not choose.
The symbol of a woman
A woman in this poem represents life because without her, there is no life. Children are carried in a woman’s womb for nine months after which they are born. Desdemona asks the question, “Who is greater? He who claims supremacy here below or She, without whom there would be no life here below?" Men claim supremacy over women and yet they are born and raised by the same women they demean and subject to suffering. According to Desdemona, a woman is greater than a man because, without her, there would be no men who are claiming supremacy. Consequently, credit must be given to women because they are a symbol of life.
The allegory of Men’s Judgement
According to the narrator, men have no moral authority to judge women and condemn them in any way. Men think that they are born to rule and control women. They judge women as inferior beings who must be under men in all aspects. However, the narrator reminds the reader that there is no one greater than a woman who represents life. A woman carries the pregnancy and gives birth to both male and female children. A man raised by a woman has no moral authority to judge women in any way. What men need to do is to respect women and accord them the opportunities they deserve.
