What do women want?

The speaker’s desire for recognition

The speaker can be described as a woman who wants to be heard. She preferred to present her wish in a figurative manner. Women who want publicity always dress up in provocative clothes, because they want the red dress that is cheap and leaves little to their imagination. She wants to be recognized by wearing a red shirt. The woman may be complaining about her partner’s lack of commitment and comprehension. The speaker is not a slut, since she craves are a dress that reflects social stereotypes. If she had been a whore, she must have had such an outfit. It is noted that she is demanding the dress from her partner an engagement that suggests that represents the societal stereotypes. If she was a prostitute, she already would have such a dress. It is noted that she is demanding the dress from her partner an engagement that suggest that she needs her partner to see her in the stereotypical role of women.

The speaker’s plea for desire

The quoted stanza does not mean that the woman is selfish; rather she is building a case for her desire.

I want that red dress bad.

I want it to confirm

Your worst fears about me,

To show you how little I care about you

Or anything except what

I want. (16-21)

She is metaphorically expressing her neglected status which has reduced her to the point of desperation. She declares that she does not care about anything except the flimsy red dress that symbolizes womanhood and sexuality. The phrase “your worst fears” means that in her desperation she imagines or sort of things including the suspicion that she is ready to do anything to gain the recognition and understanding that she craves.

The symbolism of colors

The colors are symbolic. The red color is often seen as a dominant color representing boldness and excitement, energy, passion, and love. The black color is used to symbolize power, mystery, formality, and elegance. The white color on the other hand, is used to represent purity, heaven, and beauty. The use of the colors literature is to evoke emotional responses while creating the desired atmosphere. If for instance, the speaker was asking for a white dress, the message would have been different. The symbolisms would be representing her desire for purity, love, and loyalty.

The figurative answer to the title question

The question posed by the title is answered figuratively with the red dress symbolizing the desire to be appreciated as the sexual, independent, and passionate being. Women seek to be understood for what they are and not to be objectified as stereotypes are wont to do.