# Ova Begins to Take Notice explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Mina Loy.

## What happens

The chapter depicts the infant Ova's early perceptual and cognitive development, as she begins to notice colors, light, and the mysterious word 'iarrhea.' Her consciousness is shaped by the oppressive presence of her mother and nurse, and she experiences a primal struggle for self-identification amid recurrent annihilation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Childhood and Innocence

The chapter explores the infant Ova's raw perceptual experience and her struggle to make sense of the world, highlighting the fragility and mystery of early childhood.

### Alienation and Belonging

Ova's sense of self is repeatedly annihilated by the oppressive presence of adults, reflecting a profound alienation from her environment.

## Character check-ins

### Ova

The infant protagonist, beginning to take notice of her surroundings and grappling with self-identification.

### Ada

The mother, who draws near unnaturally and holds a new baby, asserting her dignity.

### Nurse

The nurse, whose draperies are resigned, and who is part of the 'armoured towers' that jostle Ova.

## Key lines

> Her entity she projects into these sudden colours for self identification is lost in recurrent annihilation with an old desperate unsurprise

Ova projects her sense of self into the colors she sees, but this self-identification is repeatedly lost in a cycle of annihilation that feels familiar and hopeless.

_Highlights Ova's struggle for identity and the recurring theme of dissolution._

> Sometimes a new word comes to her she looks before her and watches for its materialization 'Iarrhea'

Ova encounters the mysterious word 'iarrhea' and anticipates its physical manifestation in the world.

_Introduces the key event of Ova's encounter with the word 'iarrhea,' linking language and perception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se/chapters/ova-begins-to-take-notice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se/chapters