Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "To David, About His Education" offers a witty and contemplative reflection on the nature of education and the often obscure and seemingly irrelevant knowledge imparted in the process. Through humor and irony, Nemerov addresses the paradoxes and absurdities of formal education, ultimately acknowledging its role in preparing individuals for the complexities and confusions of adult life.

The poem opens with a recognition of the world's "mostly invisible things," hinting at the vast array of abstract concepts and hidden truths that education attempts to uncover. Nemerov immediately sets a playful tone, suggesting that the only way to discover these invisible things is by engaging deeply with books, implying a somewhat tedious yet necessary endeavor. This sets the stage for a series of humorous and exaggerated examples of academic learning.

Nemerov's examples—"the square root of Everest," "how many times Byron goes into Texas," and "whether the law of the excluded middle / Applies west of the Rockies"—are deliberately absurd, highlighting the often esoteric and seemingly impractical nature of much of what is studied. These whimsical examples underscore the disconnect between the theoretical knowledge acquired in school and its practical application in everyday life.

Despite the playful tone, Nemerov acknowledges the necessity of education. He advises David to "go to school / And study books and listen to what you are told," emphasizing the importance of discipline and memory in the learning process. This advice is tempered with a hint of skepticism, as Nemerov admits uncertainty about the practical use of certain pieces of information, such as "the mean annual rainfall / On Plato's Republic" or "the calorie content / Of the Diet of Worms." These examples further underscore the sometimes arbitrary and perplexing nature of the curriculum.

The poem shifts to a more serious note as Nemerov reflects on the broader purpose of education. He suggests that learning these seemingly irrelevant facts is part of the process of becoming an adult—someone who "sees invisible things neither steadily nor whole, / But keeps gravely the grand confusion of the world / Under his hat." This metaphor of keeping the world's confusion "under his hat" suggests that education equips individuals with the ability to navigate and manage the complexities and uncertainties of life, even if it does not provide clear or comprehensive answers.

Nemerov concludes with a nod to the cyclical nature of education and the transmission of knowledge. He implies that once David becomes one of the "grown-ups," he will, in turn, teach small children to manage the same confusions and ambiguities. This closing reflection highlights the continuity and perpetuation of education across generations, despite its inherent imperfections and paradoxes.

In "To David, About His Education," Howard Nemerov uses humor and irony to explore the peculiarities and paradoxes of formal education. The poem's playful examples and reflective tone invite readers to consider the broader purposes of learning and the ways in which education prepares individuals for the complexities of adult life. Through its witty yet contemplative approach, the poem offers a nuanced perspective on the value of education and the enduring challenges of understanding and managing the "grand confusion" of the world.

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