Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Hollander's "Considered Speech" is a meditation on the limitations and inherent contradictions of language, particularly in the expression of deep emotions such as love. Through a series of reflections and qualifications, the poem explores how words often fail to capture the true essence of what we feel and how they are invariably influenced by societal conventions and personal insecurities.

The poem begins with a phrase often used to introduce a precise or formal statement: "Strictly speaking." This sets up an expectation of clarity and exactitude, but the speaker immediately undermines this by admitting that whatever follows may not be strictly true or accurate. This introduces the theme of the inherent imprecision in language and communication.

Hollander points out that we rarely speak "strictly" or with complete accuracy in everyday life. Even a statement as seemingly straightforward as "I love you" is "qualified somehow in quotes, like a hedged cliché." This suggests that such declarations are often seen as insincere or formulaic, rather than genuine expressions of unique feelings. The phrase "I love you" becomes a paradox: it is both a universal truth and a personal lie, depending on the context and intention behind it.

The poem delves deeper into this paradox, noting that when "I love you" is uttered with deep conviction, it is meant to convey a feeling that the speaker believes to be unique and unparalleled. However, the very words used to express this feeling are "dumb old words that everyone—liars and airheads and kids— / Eventually must resort to." This highlights the frustrating reality that our most profound emotions are often articulated through worn-out phrases that fail to convey their full depth and specificity.

Hollander uses the term "Leveler" to describe the phrase "I love you," indicating that it reduces the uniqueness of individual experiences to a common denominator. This democratization of language, while necessary for communication, also diminishes the perceived specialness of our emotions.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the difficulty of achieving true eloquence and originality in contemporary speech: "These days to be truly lofty takes a lot of stunt flying, / Playing slow and loose with the language that we've been given." Here, "stunt flying" serves as a metaphor for the creative and often precarious use of language needed to rise above clichés and convey something truly original and heartfelt. Despite our best efforts to be "acute" and precise, our words often lead to "grave accentuations cut in the rind of the earth," suggesting that even our most considered speech ultimately leaves only a superficial mark on the world.

"Considered Speech" is a poignant exploration of the limitations and challenges of language. Hollander masterfully highlights the tension between the desire to express unique, profound emotions and the reality of using conventional, often inadequate words to do so. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with language and the ways in which it both enables and constrains genuine communication. Through its incisive commentary, "Considered Speech" underscores the complexity of human expression and the perpetual struggle to find words that truly capture the essence of our feelings.

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