Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Novelists" offers a sharp, satirical commentary on the nature of novel writing and the personalities often drawn to this demanding craft. Through incisive language and vivid metaphors, Nemerov explores the psychological complexities and inherent contradictions of those who dedicate their lives to creating fictional worlds.

The poem begins with a bold assertion that novel writing is a trade suited for "egomaniacs," implying a certain narcissism or self-obsession in those who pursue it. This opening sets a tone of irony and critique, immediately framing novelists as individuals deeply affected by their personal histories, particularly in terms of parental affection—or lack thereof. The suggestion that their parents "did not love them well" hints at a foundational insecurity or emotional void that drives their creative endeavors.

Nemerov expands his critique to encompass various demographics—"wasps and women, Jews and Blacks"—who find themselves in the metaphorical "isolation ward in Hell." This inclusive enumeration serves to underline that the compulsion to write transcends cultural and social boundaries, uniting diverse groups in a shared sense of alienation and introspection.

The work of novelists is described as a constant engagement with the imaginary—"What never happened and what never will"—focusing on characters who exist solely through the act of writing. These characters’ "non-being / Always depends on the next syllable," highlighting the ephemeral and contingent nature of fictional creations. This line underscores the precariousness and fragility of the novelist's work, where entire worlds and identities are constructed from mere words, constantly teetering on the brink of nonexistence.

Nemerov notes the strangeness of this occupation and the psychological toll it takes on writers, who "spend their workadays imagining" and often "talking to themselves." The metaphor of "dividing cells / That form in communes and make colonies" vividly captures the organic, almost biological process of writing, where ideas proliferate and evolve, often leading to internal conflicts and resolutions within the narrative. This biological imagery suggests that novels grow and develop in ways that mimic life itself, complete with its inherent tensions and contradictions.

The poet then reflects on the dual themes of "love and hate" that drive these fictional narratives, suggesting that novels often serve as allegories for the writers' own lives. This introspective process involves "ceremonies / Intended to harmonize freedom and fate," pointing to the novel's role in exploring and attempting to reconcile these fundamental human experiences.

The concluding lines delve deeper into the metaphysical aspect of writing. The "writer's soul" is likened to "one abyss / Primps at the other's mirror," an image that conveys the profound self-reflection and existential questioning inherent in the creative process. This mirroring of abysses suggests an infinite regression of introspection, where the act of writing becomes a means of exploring the depths of the self. The phrase "the whole / Shebang hangs fire while the lovers kiss" juxtaposes this deep philosophical inquiry with a moment of intimate human connection, implying that amidst the complexity and chaos of the writer's inner world, simple, profound human emotions like love can still emerge and momentarily suspend the existential struggle.

In "Novelists," Howard Nemerov presents a nuanced and critical portrayal of the novelist’s vocation. Through his deft use of irony, metaphor, and vivid imagery, he illuminates the psychological and existential dimensions of writing fiction. The poem captures the paradox of the novelist's life: the simultaneous pursuit of and escape from reality, the creation of worlds that mirror and distort the self, and the constant interplay between freedom and fate. Ultimately, Nemerov's poem offers a deeply reflective and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a novelist.

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