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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
The poem opens with a statement of contentment in a way of life that may not make sense to others: "We are happy in our way of life." This introduces the theme of subjective experience and the potential disconnect between personal fulfillment and external understanding. The description of sitting about, reading, and being restless suggests a life of contemplation and intellectual pursuit, punctuated by moments of existential uncertainty. The imagery of lowering "the dark shade over it all" implies a desire to shut out the external world or to retreat into introspection. The "self-induced trance like sleep" reflects the inward turn of the mind, a state of contemplation or meditation where the external world is momentarily paused. Ashbery then transitions to a dreamlike sequence where the speaker wanders into "respectable purlicus," a phrase that evokes a sense of unknown or uncharted territories of the mind. The speaker's utterance, addressing "woebegone people" and questioning their desolation, suggests a critical observation of human suffering and the burdens of existence. The reference to "the present of flesh" and the imagery of handling it at a "jagged casement window" could symbolize the tangible, physical aspects of life, juxtaposed with the internal, spiritual, or emotional experiences. The mention of "nervous unto thirst and ultimate death" underscores the anxieties and inevitabilities of human life. The poem then contemplates the notion of a "true way" sleeping and the unhealthy repose derived from lawful acts. This could be interpreted as a critique of societal norms and the complacency that comes from adhering to conventional paths. Ashbery explores the idea that certain sins of omission go unpunished, suggesting a moral ambiguity in life's choices and the complexities of ethical judgment. The "underbrush" in which individuals find security might be a metaphor for the comfort found in ignorance or unawareness. The stranger's departure from the house, leaving behind a woman with an "arrowhead" shaped face, introduces a narrative element of departure and transformation. The reactions of those who witness him underscore the impact of individual actions on the collective consciousness. The imagery of faces kindling as he passes and the river of his passing growing to "flood proportions" suggests a significant, perhaps transformative, presence that affects those around him. The stranger's pleasure, described as both savage and mild, reflects the dual nature of experience and the depth of human emotion. Ashbery concludes the poem with the realization that the stranger sees only aspects, not the whole, emphasizing the fragmentary nature of perception and understanding. The continuity of life is fierce, yet individuals turn away, unable or unwilling to confront its entirety. The "lesson" that eddies into the night, with its juxtaposition of joy and blackness, captures the paradoxes of existence – the simultaneous presence of joy and sorrow, light and darkness. The final image of undying joyousness caught in a trap suggests the inescapable nature of human emotion and the complexities of the human condition. In summary, "Parergon" by John Ashbery is a richly layered and introspective poem that delves into the intricacies of human consciousness, perception, and existence. Through vivid imagery and a shifting narrative, Ashbery invites readers to ponder the nature of reality, the limitations of understanding, and the profound complexities that underlie the human experience.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FIVE KERNELS OF CORN [APRIL, 1622] by HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 3. IN PORT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON LEANDER DROWNED by PHILIP AYRES THE ELDER'S WARNING; A LAY OF THE CONVOCATION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN FRAGMENTS OF A POEM ON THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRISTIANITY by JAMES HAY BEATTIE THE INTREPID MARINER by WILLIAM ROSE BENET SHE IS SO PRETTY by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER |
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