Point of View

The first-person speaker in “Shedding Skin” actively participates in the physical process as a means for embracing her vulnerable self. While she does not reveal the circumstances that led to the formation of her tough and scarred exterior, she instead hones in how shedding symbolizes personal transformation, reclamation, and agency. In the first stanza, the speaker shares that her thick skin has become obsolete when she calls it an “old rough thing I don’t need now” (2). This sentiment remains steadfast throughout the poem as the speaker embraces self-transformation and vulnerability. While the context remains firmly centered on the speaker herself, she does imply the possibility for wider ripples of impact in her life. For example, shedding affords her new eyes through which to view and understand the world. A fresh outlook can generate different actions. In the final lines, the speaker proclaims her intention...