Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Durrell’s poem "Eight Aspects of Melissa: By the Lake" is a meditative exploration of identity, perception, and the elusive nature of human connection. The poem delves into the fragmented and multifaceted ways in which a person, particularly Melissa, is perceived by others, and how these perceptions shift and change like reflections in water. Through rich imagery and subtle language, Durrell captures the delicate interplay between the observer and the observed, raising questions about the essence of identity and the impact of experience on one's inner self.

The poem opens with the idea that Melissa's image, when seen by "many minds at once," shatters like light through a prism. This metaphor immediately introduces the theme of fragmentation—how a single person can be perceived differently depending on the perspective of the observer. The comparison to a prism suggests that Melissa’s identity is not fixed or singular, but rather composed of multiple facets that are revealed and distorted depending on the angle of view. This notion is further emphasized by the image of looking upwards from a "gleaming spoon," where her smile becomes "squeezed up and vanishing / In roundels of diversion like the moon." The spoon, a mundane object, reflects her image in a distorted, ephemeral way, highlighting the fleeting and elusive nature of perception.

Despite these distortions, Melissa is "confirmed by the smallest / Wish or kiss upon the rising darkness." This line suggests that even in the face of fragmented perceptions, there is a core to her identity that can be affirmed through intimate gestures, such as a wish or a kiss. Yet, this confirmation is tinged with a sense of uncertainty, as she is described as "rootless as a wick afloat in water" and "Fatherless as shoes walking over dead leaves." These similes evoke a sense of instability and transience, as if Melissa’s existence is unanchored and vulnerable to the shifting forces around her. The image of the wick in water conveys fragility, while the shoes on dead leaves suggest a disconnection from origin or lineage, reinforcing the idea that her identity is not grounded in any fixed point.

Durrell then shifts to a more introspective tone, focusing on Melissa’s "dark soft eye," which is "so liquid now and hoarse / With pleasure." The liquid quality of her eye suggests depth and emotion, while the hoarseness indicates a rawness or vulnerability that comes from experiencing pleasure. This duality—liquid softness and hoarse intensity—captures the complex emotional landscape within Melissa, shaped by her experiences. The subsequent image of her "arms in mirrors / Combing out softly hair / As lovely as a planet's and remote" adds a layer of beauty and distance to her portrayal. The act of combing hair in a mirror suggests a moment of self-reflection, yet the comparison to a planet underscores her remoteness, as if she is both present and distant, intimate yet unreachable.

The poem then contemplates the "many several small forevers" whispered in Melissa’s ear by the Mediterranean sea-edge. This phrase evokes the idea of countless moments of connection and communication, each contributing to the accumulation of her identity. The use of "small forevers" suggests that these moments, while brief, carry a sense of timelessness or lasting impact. However, the poem questions how much these interactions truly add to the "total silence," implying that despite all the whispers and moments of connection, they may contribute only minimally to the deeper, more profound aspects of her existence.

In the closing lines, Durrell expresses a sense of humility and doubt: "Surely we increased you by very little, / But as with a net or gun to make your victims men?" Here, the speaker acknowledges that their influence on Melissa was likely minimal, despite their efforts. The metaphor of a net or gun implies that any attempt to capture or define her is inherently flawed, perhaps even violent or reductive. This suggests that Melissa’s essence cannot be fully grasped or contained by others; she remains elusive and independent, beyond the reach of those who seek to define her.

"Eight Aspects of Melissa: By the Lake" is a complex and nuanced meditation on the nature of identity and perception. Durrell uses vivid imagery and delicate language to explore how a person is seen through the eyes of others, how those perceptions are fragmented and fleeting, and how, despite these attempts at understanding, the true essence of an individual remains elusive. Melissa, as portrayed in this poem, is a figure of both beauty and mystery, a being who defies easy categorization and whose identity is shaped by, but not confined to, the perceptions of those around her.

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