Hi Anais!

I really enjoyed reading your interpretation of Herrick’s poem. I read the poem as less focused on respecting Julia and more of creating an image of her from the male imagination. Particularly I noticed the metaphors of the cherry and the strawberry in cream. Both of these images suggest consumption. Thus, I read the poem with Julia, and her breasts in particular,  being an object for male enjoyment. I think that it is interesting to think about what I brought into my reading of the poem. I am certain that I read it expecting a certain amount of misogyny and I wonder if I would have had an interpretation closer to yours if I hadn’t begun with that bias.

Thanks!

Kacie