Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Boy with Book of Knowledge" contemplates the journey from youthful idealism to mature reflection, using the image of a boy engrossed in a book to explore themes of knowledge, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and poignant introspection, the poem examines the evolution of one's relationship with learning and poetry.

The poem opens with a boy holding "a volume open in his hands," a scene that evokes curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The book is described as containing "sepia portraits of the hairy great," referencing historical figures and cultural icons whose images are tinged with the color of aged photographs. These figures, including "presidents and poets in their beards," represent a simplified and idealized version of history and intellectual achievement.

The content of the book is a blend of "simplified histories of the wars, / Conundrums, quizzes, riddles, games and poems." This eclectic mix suggests a broad, though superficial, education that combines entertainment with learning. Among the "Immortal Poems," the boy finds enduring favorites like "Barbara Fritchie and the Battle Hymn," and particularly "America the Beautiful." The phrase "platitudinous splendors" hints at the clichés often found in such patriotic poetry, yet these words are powerful enough to make the boy cry and inspire a desire to become a poet.

Nemerov reflects on the boy's emotional reaction to "From sea to shining sea," a line that evokes the vastness and idealism of America. This reaction is pivotal, sparking a wish "to be a poet, only to say such things." The poem then questions whether this moment marked the beginning of the boy's poetic aspirations, describing the "vast pudding of knowledge" as containing rare poetic gems, like "raisins in the midst / Of those gold-lettered volumes black and green."

The poet’s tone shifts to a more somber and reflective mood, acknowledging the limitations of knowledge: "Mere piety to think so." Now an older man, the speaker recognizes the vast amount of knowledge he will never attain, symbolized by "the silent library brooding through the night." This image conveys both the immensity and the mystery of what remains unknown, with the library's lights burning like a "luxury liner on what sea / Unfathomable of ignorance who could say?"

In the poem's conclusion, poetry is likened to "lighthouses now unmanned and obsolete / That used to mark America's dangerous shores." This metaphor suggests that poetry, once a guiding light in the cultural landscape, has become rare and neglected. The comparison to lighthouses underscores the enduring but often overlooked significance of poetry in navigating the complexities of life and society.

"Boy with Book of Knowledge" is a meditation on the lifelong quest for understanding and the evolving appreciation of poetry and knowledge. Through the juxtaposition of youthful idealism and mature reflection, Nemerov captures the bittersweet realization of how much remains unknown and the enduring, if rare, presence of poetry as a beacon in the vast sea of ignorance. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of learning and the changing role of knowledge and art in their lives.

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