Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

George Palmer Garrett Jr.'s poem "Whistling in the Dark" is a contemplative exploration of repetition, the inevitability of certain actions, and the human condition. Through a series of cyclical statements, Garrett captures the essence of perseverance in the face of fear, the compulsion to maintain rituals and routines, and the underlying dread that motivates these actions. The poem resonates with themes of existential uncertainty, the power of tradition, and the inevitability of death.

The poem opens with a straightforward declaration: "What has happened, my friends, is this: / we are saying the same things over and over again / because we have to, because there is no other choice." This statement introduces the idea of repetition as a necessary, almost compulsive act. The repetition of phrases and ideas suggests a sense of entrapment or inevitability, as if the speaker and his companions are caught in a loop, compelled to repeat themselves because they have no alternative. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the human tendency to cling to familiar patterns and routines, even when they no longer seem meaningful or effective.

The next lines introduce a metaphor that deepens the theme of repetition: "We are singing the old songs, whistling the same tunes, / each like a small boy in the dark, in a graveyard, / maybe, whistling to reassure the rotten dead." The image of a boy whistling in the dark, especially in a graveyard, evokes a sense of fear and the need to stave off that fear with familiar, comforting actions. The whistling serves as both a defense mechanism against the unknown and a way to assert control over a situation that is inherently uncontrollable. The reference to the "rotten dead" suggests that the boy’s whistling is an attempt to calm both himself and the unseen forces around him—forces that represent the inevitability of death and decay.

Garrett continues to emphasize the inevitability of this behavior: "We are saying the same things in exactly the same tone of voice / because we have to, because there is no other choice." The reiteration of this phrase reinforces the idea that these actions are not voluntary but compelled by some deep-seated need. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition, where people are driven to repeat certain actions or rituals, not out of genuine belief or desire, but out of a sense of duty or fear of the consequences of stopping.

The poem then introduces the idea of silence as an alternative: "except, perhaps, that purity of absolute silence / to which our noisy music does aspire, / with which our music will be well rewarded / all in due time." Silence is portrayed as the ultimate destination, the "purity" to which all noise and music eventually lead. This suggests that despite all the repetition and noise, there is an awareness of an inevitable end—silence, which can be seen as a metaphor for death or the cessation of all activity. The notion that "our music will be well rewarded / all in due time" hints at the idea that silence is not only inevitable but also perhaps the final resolution or peace that all the noise and repetition are leading toward.

However, until that time comes, the speaker insists that "we must / say again and over again the same few things / (wise or foolish no matter, beauty of bounden duty)." This line captures the sense of obligation that drives the repetition, whether it be wisdom or folly. The phrase "beauty of bounden duty" suggests that there is a certain nobility or necessity in this repetition, even if it seems pointless or redundant. It is through these repeated actions and words that some semblance of order is maintained, preventing the world from descending into chaos.

The poem concludes with a return to the image of the dead: "without which the world goes wild and the silent dead / rise up to rattle us daft with their dancing bones / because they have to, because there is no other choice." This haunting image of the dead rising to disrupt the living echoes the earlier themes of inevitability and compulsion. The dead, like the living, are driven by a need to act, even if their actions are disturbing or meaningless. The repetition of "because they have to, because there is no other choice" underscores the sense that both the living and the dead are bound by forces beyond their control, compelled to repeat their actions endlessly.

"Whistling in the Dark" is a powerful meditation on the human need for repetition and routine in the face of existential uncertainty. George Palmer Garrett Jr. explores the compulsion to engage in familiar actions as a way to stave off fear and maintain order, even as these actions ultimately lead to an inevitable silence. The poem captures the tension between the desire for control and the recognition of life’s inherent unpredictability, leaving readers with a sense of both the futility and the necessity of human rituals in the face of the unknown.

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