Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Stanley Jasspon Kunitz’s poem “What of the Night?” is a profound exploration of introspection, existential dread, and the tension between duty and desire. Through evocative imagery and a reflective tone, Kunitz navigates the depths of the self and the anxieties that stir in the night, drawing on themes of cosmic wonder and the haunting persistence of internal calls.

The poem opens with a vivid metaphor: “One summer, like a stone dropped down a well, / I sank into myself and raked the bottom slime.” This imagery of sinking and touching the bottom of a well suggests a deep dive into the subconscious, confronting the murky and unsettling parts of the self. The phrase “raked the bottom slime” evokes a sense of dredging up buried emotions or memories, a painful but necessary act of self-examination. The tactile description of the thigh touching the dark and the dark rolling over the speaker further emphasizes this engulfing descent into introspection.

As the speaker immerses in this “brackish life,” there is a shift to a more ethereal and uplifting vision: “Then gradually I heard above the steady breathing of the land / a high, inhuman chord light-years away.” This sound, emanating from “a cleaner space, a more innocent age,” contrasts sharply with the earlier imagery of darkness and slime. The reference to “pilot angels / with crystal eyes and streaming hair” evokes a celestial, almost mythic past where purity and beauty prevailed. The angels’ single ravishing notes that melt into the “music of the spheres” suggest a harmonious, universal order, a stark contrast to the speaker’s inner turmoil.

In the second section, the poem shifts to a more immediate and personal reflection: “What wakes me now like the country doctor / startled in his sleep?” The comparison to a country doctor implies a sudden, urgent call that disrupts the speaker’s rest. The repeated “racing heart” and the act of shuffling down the hall to answer the night-bell indicate a sense of duty or anxiety that compels the speaker to respond, despite an awareness of their unreadiness. This urgency and sense of being summoned reflect a deep-seated feeling of responsibility or an unresolved issue that cannot be ignored.

The line “Whoever summons me has need of me. / How could I afford to disobey that call?” underscores the weight of this perceived duty. The gentle yet insistent ring that pulls the speaker from bed signifies a call that is both persistent and gentle, yet powerful enough to disrupt the comfort of “loving arms.” The subsequent realization that no one stands on the stoop, not even a stray cat, points to a sense of deception or self-deception, highlighting the internal conflict and the possibility that the call is a manifestation of the speaker’s own unresolved fears or guilt.

The speaker’s acknowledgment, “Deceived! or self-deceived. / I can never atone for it,” suggests a recognition of the futility in responding to these calls, yet an inability to dismiss them. The internal struggle between recognizing the deception and feeling compelled to respond reflects a deeper existential angst. The closing lines, “When the messenger comes again / I shall pretend in a childish voice my father is not home,” reveal a desire to escape this burden by reverting to a state of innocence or evasion, symbolized by the childish voice and the excuse that “my father is not home.” This act of pretending indicates a yearning for respite from the relentless calls and a wish to reclaim a simpler, less burdened existence.

In summary, Stanley Jasspon Kunitz’s “What of the Night?” is a rich and introspective poem that delves into the depths of self-examination and the haunting persistence of existential calls. Through powerful imagery and a contemplative tone, Kunitz captures the tension between confronting internal darkness and yearning for cosmic harmony, as well as the struggle between duty and the desire for escape. The poem’s exploration of these themes invites readers to reflect on their own internal conflicts and the calls that disrupt their peace.

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