Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson’s poem “Some Good News” encapsulates his characteristic interplay of history, myth, geography, and philosophical reflection. The poem operates as a dense tapestry of historical narrative, focusing on the establishment of Cape Ann as a pivotal location in New England’s colonial and maritime history. Through its intricate layers, the poem simultaneously critiques modern industrialization and celebrates the elemental forces that shape human endeavor and settlement.

The poem begins with the understated proclamation that “how small the news was,” a deliberate subversion of the monumental significance Olson attributes to the arrival of 14 settlers on Cape Ann in 1623. This “permanent change” signifies the advent of a transformative relationship between humans and land, marked not by conquest or grandiose ambition, but by a humble yet profound act of planting fisheries—a practical, subsistence-driven venture. Olson’s attention to Cape Ann’s geographical positioning “between the old North Atlantic” and the “new” world underscores its role as a nexus of historical movement and natural bounty.

Olson interweaves historical references, such as John Bradford’s interest in the harbor and John Smith’s cartographic and exploratory contributions, with his own poetic interpretations of these events. The naming of Cape Ann, a seemingly minor act, is transformed into a symbolic gesture of cultural and geographical claiming. Olson’s detailed recounting of fishing as a cornerstone of early settlement shifts the focus from traditional narratives of colonial agriculture or gold-driven exploration, highlighting the importance of maritime resources as the true wealth of the New World.

The poet’s style mirrors the sea’s shifting currents—expansive, associative, and occasionally turbulent. His digressions into historical minutiae, such as the origins of Georges Bank’s name or Portuguese fishing stations on Sable Island, serve not as distractions but as tributaries feeding into the broader thematic river. These details reinforce the idea that history is not a linear progression but a confluence of moments, decisions, and natural forces.

Olson critiques the commodification and mechanization of nature, lamenting how industrialization has reduced the ocean’s bounty to “industrial fish” processed into cat food and fertilizer. This dehumanized relationship with nature starkly contrasts with the earlier settlers’ reverence for the sea’s abundance. Olson’s invocation of Gloucester’s history as a fishing town becomes a lament for a lost ethos of coexistence with nature, replaced by exploitative practices driven by quantity and machine.

The poem’s title, “Some Good News,” carries an ironic weight. The establishment of Cape Ann represents a positive turning point, a “beginning” marked by human ingenuity and adaptation. Yet, Olson’s layered narrative also critiques the destructive tendencies that accompany progress—what begins as a harmonious interaction with nature devolves into exploitation. The poem’s historical arc reflects the duality of human endeavor: the capacity for both creation and destruction.

The poem’s tone oscillates between admiration and admonition. Olson reveres the settlers’ resilience and the maritime traditions they established, yet he castigates the modern neglect of these values in favor of industrial efficiency. His allusions to John Smith as both a visionary and a flawed figure encapsulate this duality. Smith’s “braggart fisherman” persona contrasts with his pivotal role in mapping and claiming New England’s coastline, symbolizing the tension between ambition and humility.

Structurally, Olson employs his characteristic open form, allowing the poem’s rhythm and flow to mimic the natural forces it describes. His use of enjambment and fragmented syntax evokes the ceaseless motion of the sea and the intricate weaving of history. The lack of conventional punctuation mirrors the poem’s thematic emphasis on continuity and interconnection, blurring the boundaries between past and present, human and nature.

“Some Good News” is a testament to Olson’s ability to blend historical narrative with philosophical inquiry and poetic innovation. The poem invites readers to reflect on the forces that shape human history, the interplay between nature and culture, and the consequences of our actions on the environment. Through its richly layered narrative, Olson reminds us that the past is not a distant, static entity but a dynamic force that continues to inform and challenge our understanding of progress and responsibility.

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