Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Apathy" by William Matthews explores the paralyzing and pervasive nature of apathy, depicting it as an emotional state devoid of vitality and engagement. The poem delves into the physical and psychological experience of feeling detached, indifferent, and overwhelmed by a sense of futility.

The poem begins with the line "Waking, you sag," immediately setting a tone of exhaustion and defeat. This image captures the heaviness and lack of motivation that often accompanies waking up without enthusiasm or purpose. The following line, "Fatigue is different: the body, like steps receding in a hallway lined with shoes, ignores all invitations," distinguishes apathy from mere physical fatigue. Here, fatigue is described as a withdrawal from life's activities and opportunities, as if the body is retreating from engagement and leaving behind the trappings of everyday life, represented by the shoes.

Matthews introduces the concept of "Now—a concept without edges, without relief," suggesting that the present moment lacks definition or structure, making it difficult to find meaning or focus. This description aligns with the feeling of being stuck in a state of "frozen violence," where two stags are "twinned by antlers," unable to separate or move forward. This powerful metaphor illustrates the entrapment and immobility of apathy, as if one is locked in a perpetual struggle without resolution.

The image of being "an eye paralyzed in mid-blink" further emphasizes the sensation of being caught between states, unable to fully open one's eyes to the world or close them to rest. This paralysis reflects a deeper emotional numbness, where even the act of blinking—an instinctive, necessary action—is halted. The speaker describes this condition as ennui, a term often associated with a sophisticated form of boredom or dissatisfaction. By referring to the self as "always a hero in The History of Ideas," the poem suggests a kind of intellectual detachment or superiority, as if the person experiencing apathy views themselves as above the mundane concerns of daily life, yet finds no solace in this perspective.

The poem continues with the observation that "your bed runs north and south in a room whose length runs east and west," an image that captures a sense of misalignment and disorientation. This detail signifies a disconnect between one's surroundings and internal state, and the subsequent realization that "there is no joy in them" underscores the bleakness of the situation. The speaker notes that the problem is not an excess of knowledge—"It is not that you know too much"—but rather a fundamental disconnect from the natural rhythms and movements of the world, as the earth continues to "whir" imperceptibly beneath.

The description of apathy as "the stifle, the sludge" conveys a suffocating, heavy quality, akin to being bogged down in thick, viscous material. The mention of "the tongue with its surface pebbled like a basketball's" evokes a physical manifestation of discomfort and disconnection, as if even the act of speaking or tasting is marred by an abrasive, unnatural texture.

The poem acknowledges the necessity of courage and skill to overcome apathy: "Courage is necessary to begin; finally, you need skill." This statement implies that moving beyond apathy requires a conscious effort and a learned ability to reengage with life. However, the poem concludes with a sense of resignation or helplessness, as the "Red Cross Voice" offers a platitude—"I know how you feel"—followed by the acknowledgment that "There's little I can do to help you." This ending highlights the difficulty of escaping the grip of apathy, suggesting that while empathy and understanding are important, they may not be sufficient to catalyze change.

"Apathy" by William Matthews captures the essence of an emotional state characterized by numbness, detachment, and a lack of motivation. Through vivid imagery and poignant metaphors, the poem explores the internal landscape of someone experiencing apathy, illustrating the challenges of finding meaning and the need for courage and skill to break free from its hold. The poem serves as a powerful reflection on the human condition, addressing the complexities of emotional inertia and the struggle to reengage with life.

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