☝️ Key Points
- The song is inspired by a true story of abduction and abuse, highlighting the theme of violence against women.
- The first verse takes on the perspective of the perpetrator, who treats the girl 'Polly' like a pet and controls her basic needs.
- The line 'Isn't me / 'have a seed / Let me clip / 'dirty wings' shows the contradiction in the perpetrator's behavior between abuse and the need to 'take care' of the victim.
- The chorus 'I want some help / 'please myself' shows the selfish and self-centered behavior of the perpetrator.
- In the later verses of the song, Polly tries to manipulate the perpetrator to escape. The last verse shows her will to survive and her determination.
Interpretation
The song 'Polly' by
Nirvana comes from the album 'Nevermind' and is a dark story based on true events. Kurt Cobain, the band's singer, wrote the song after reading about the horrific kidnapping and abuse of a girl near Tacoma, Washington.
In the verses 'Polly wants a cracker / Think I should get off of her first / 'Think she wants some water / To put out the blow torch', the perspective of the perpetrator is taken, who has control over the girl and her basic needs. The girl, named 'Polly', is treated like a pet, which has a dehumanizing effect.
In the lines 'Isn't me / 'Have a seed / Let me clip / 'Dirty wings', the perpetrator shows some contradiction in his behavior. Although he holds her captive and abuses her, he also seems to have a need to take care of her and 'protect' her.
The line 'Let me take a ride / Cut yourself' is a dark allusion to sexual abuse and self-harm, and the chorus 'I want some help / 'Please myself' shows the selfish and self-centered behavior of the perpetrator.
The lines 'Polly wants a cracker / Maybe she relax on food / She asks me to untie her / A chase would be nice for a few' show that Polly is trying to manipulate the perpetrator to escape.
The last verse 'Polly said / Polly says her back hurts / And she's just as bored as me / She caught me off my guard / 'Mazes me, the will of instinct' shows the will to survive and the determination of the girl despite the terrible situation she is in.
Overall, the song 'Polly' tells a dark and tragic story based on shocking true events. It highlights the issue of violence against women and prompts reflection on topics such as manipulation, power, and control.