Gretel in Darkness

Gretel’s persona is the main voice. Poets use this tactic to imagine the psychological and emotional perspective of another person—whether real or fictitious. In this case, using Gretel offers an interesting tension for Glück to write from: that of surviving and coping. Because the original tale takes place in a fantastical world with witches, candy houses, and mythical possibilities, it allows Glück to contrast those elements with the real-world consequences of death and family disruption. Rather than making this a poem about her own direct experience with death, she uses the point of view of a young girl who is universally known to have escaped danger. Within the poem, Glück complicates what it means to be a survivor—even in the mythical realm of a children’s fairy tale.