Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Thomson William Gunn's "In the Tank" is a poignant exploration of confinement, both physical and existential. The poem delves into the psyche of a man imprisoned in a jail cell, using the physical space to mirror his internal landscape. Through vivid descriptions and a stark portrayal of his surroundings, Gunn encapsulates the essence of isolation and the relentless introspection it provokes.

The poem begins with the man sitting alone in the "telon's tank," a stark image that immediately sets a tone of solitude and fear. The phrase "Fearful, ungrateful, in a cell for two" underscores the man’s emotional state, suggesting not just fear but also a lack of gratitude, possibly for the simple fact of his survival or his current state of being, despite its bleakness. This duality of fear and ingratitude might reflect his resentment towards his situation and perhaps a deeper self-loathing or regret.

The setting of the cell is meticulously described: "The cell was clean and cornered, and contained / A bowl, grey gritty soap, and paper towels, / A mattress lumpy and not over-stained, / A toilet also, for the felon's bowels." The precision of this description highlights the cell's starkness and functionality, devoid of any comfort or humanity. Each item listed serves a purpose, emphasizing the utilitarian nature of the space and the reduction of the man's existence to mere survival.

The man's perception of his cell changes when "the lights flicked off at nine." In the darkness, he sees "An order without color, bulk, or line." This shift from the physical to the abstract suggests a deeper realization about his confinement. The absence of color, bulk, and line implies a stripping away of the physical world's distractions, leaving only the bare essence of his existence. It's a moment of clarity where the man understands his true position, not just physically but existentially.

The poem reaches a poignant climax with the realization that "the total riches could not fail—/ Red weathered brick, fountains, wisteria—yet, / Still they contained the silence of a jail." Here, Gunn juxtaposes the beauty of the outside world with the silence of the jail, suggesting that no matter how beautiful the world might be, it is all overshadowed by the confinement and isolation of the cell. The "total riches" refer to the richness of life and the world beyond the cell, yet for the man, they are inaccessible, trapped as he is within the "silence of a jail."

The final lines drive home the man's existential plight: "The jail contained a tank, the tank contained / A box, a mere suspension, at the center, / Where there was nothing left to understand, / And where he must re-enter and re-enter." This layering of confinement—from jail to tank to box—emphasizes the depth of his isolation. The "mere suspension" at the center symbolizes the void at the heart of his existence, a place devoid of meaning or understanding. The repetitive nature of "where he must re-enter and re-enter" suggests a cyclical, inescapable reality, where the man is condemned to continuously confront his own emptiness and isolation.

"In the Tank" is a powerful meditation on the nature of confinement, both physical and mental. Gunn's precise imagery and profound insights into the human condition create a haunting portrayal of a man grappling with his isolation and the stark reality of his existence. The poem captures the essence of imprisonment, not just as a physical state but as a profound, existential experience that strips away the superficial layers of life, leaving only the raw, unvarnished truth.

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