Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Pilots" is a deeply reflective and morally complex poem that grapples with themes of war, guilt, and the human capacity for empathy and understanding. Through a personal narrative, Levertov examines her interactions with American pilots who were prisoners of war, and the conflicting emotions these interactions provoke.

The poem begins with a litany of reasons that explain the speaker's mixed feelings toward the pilots: "Because they were prisoners, / because they were polite and friendly and lonesome and homesick." These lines establish the pilots as human beings with vulnerabilities and emotions, setting the stage for the speaker's internal conflict. The repetition of "because" underscores the multifaceted nature of her feelings and the complexity of the situation.

Levertov delves into the moral ambiguity of the pilots' actions: "because they said Yes, they knew the names of the bombs they dropped but didn't say whether they understood what these bombs / are designed to do to human flesh." This admission highlights the dissonance between the pilots' technical knowledge and their potential ignorance of the bombs' devastating effects on human beings. The speaker's decision not to ask further questions—"being unable to decide whether to ask would serve any purpose other than cruelty"—reflects her struggle with whether exposing their awareness would be productive or merely inflict additional pain.

The poem takes a personal turn as the speaker recalls meeting "Mrs. Brown, the mother of one of / their fellow prisoners," and feeling a deep connection to her: "and loved her, for she has the same lovingkindness in her that I saw in Vietnamese women (and men too)." This connection to Mrs. Brown, coupled with the speaker's empathy for the Vietnamese, complicates her feelings of hostility towards the pilots. The mention of "lovingkindness" contrasts sharply with the violence of war, suggesting a shared humanity that transcends national and ideological boundaries.

Levertov expresses a hope that the pilots were "truly as ignorant, / as unawakened, / as they seemed," and that their circumstances—shaped by their upbringing and environment—left them as victims of their context rather than willful perpetrators of violence. This hope is rooted in a desire to maintain her faith in humanity and her inclination to trust and like people.

However, the speaker also acknowledges the troubling implications if the pilots were fully aware of their actions: "for if they did understand precisely / what they were doing, and did it anyway, and would do it again, / then I must learn to distrust my own preference for trusting people." This realization forces her to confront the possibility that her empathetic nature might be misguided or naive, and that she may need to cultivate a more guarded and hostile stance.

The poem concludes with a poignant and deeply personal question: "And if it is proved to me / that these men understood their acts, / how shall I ever again / be able to meet the eyes of Mrs. Brown?" This final line encapsulates the speaker's profound moral and emotional conflict. It highlights the intertwined nature of personal relationships and broader ethical considerations, and the difficulty of reconciling the two.

In conclusion, "Pilots" by Denise Levertov is a powerful meditation on the complexities of war, guilt, and empathy. Through her narrative, Levertov explores the tension between understanding and judgment, compassion and condemnation. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own moral beliefs and the ways in which personal connections can complicate broader ethical considerations. Levertov's nuanced portrayal of the pilots and her internal struggle underscores the difficulty of navigating the gray areas of human behavior and the enduring impact of war on both individuals and communities.

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