Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Near the Ocean: 3. The Opposite House" by Robert Lowell is a poem that juxtaposes the mundane reality of an abandoned building with vivid, almost surreal imagery that transforms it into a scene filled with tension and potential violence. The poem captures a moment of observation, turning a seemingly ordinary structure into a symbolically charged presence, reflecting on themes of decay, authority, and latent danger.

The poem begins with a straightforward description of the "opposite house," identified as an "abandoned police stable." The use of "opposite" suggests not just physical positioning but also a conceptual contrast to the speaker's perspective or position. The house is described in clinical terms: "six floors, six windows to a floor," with pigeons taking over the space, "cooing like gangs of children tooting empty bottles." This comparison to children with empty bottles suggests a sense of emptiness and mischief, as well as the passage of time that has left the building to deteriorate.

As night falls, the speaker's perception of the house shifts dramatically: "Tonight, though, I see it shine in the Azores of my open window." The reference to the Azores, a group of islands known for their isolation and beauty, transports the house from its mundane reality to an exotic, distant realm. The house's "manly, old-fashioned lines" are described as "gorgeously rectilinear," suggesting a newfound appreciation for its architectural simplicity and strength. This description imbues the building with a sense of dignity and perhaps nostalgia for a bygone era.

The house takes on a fantastical quality, likened to "some firework to be fired at the end of the garden party," which evokes an image of a dramatic and colorful display. The mention of a "Spanish casa, luminous with heraldry and murder, marooned in New York" adds layers of cultural and historical associations. The "heraldry and murder" hint at a romanticized and violent past, contrasting sharply with the house's current state of abandonment. The image of the house being "marooned in New York" further emphasizes its sense of isolation and displacement within the urban landscape.

The poem shifts focus to a "stringy policeman" standing in the doorway, with "one hand on his revolver." This figure introduces an element of menace and authority, highlighting the presence of law enforcement even in an abandoned space. The policeman's act of "counting his bullets like beads" suggests a ritualistic or obsessive concern with maintaining control, indicative of a heightened state of vigilance or paranoia.

The arrival of "two on horseback" who "sidle / the crowd to the curb" and an "armed car, plodding slower than a turtle" adds to the atmosphere of a tense, militarized environment. The red light "whirls on the roof," creating a visual and symbolic representation of emergency and alertness. This scene of "Deterrent terror!" portrays a society where order is maintained through a visible and intimidating display of force.

The poem concludes with the exclamation "Viva la muerte!"—a phrase that means "Long live death!" and is associated with the Spanish Civil War, particularly the fascist faction. This declaration encapsulates the paradoxical celebration of violence and destruction, highlighting the dark undercurrents of power and control present in the scene. The phrase also serves as a critique of the glorification of death and violence as instruments of order and authority.

"Near the Ocean: 3. The Opposite House" transforms a simple observation of a building into a complex exploration of decay, authority, and latent violence. Through rich and evocative imagery, Robert Lowell creates a vivid tableau that contrasts the house's abandoned state with the potential for aggression and control embodied by the presence of the police. The poem's closing invocation of "Viva la muerte!" leaves the reader with a haunting reminder of the darker aspects of societal order and the perpetual tension between life and death, safety and danger.

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