Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Eel" is a vivid exploration of the turbulence and disillusionment of youth as it navigates the complex landscape of a modern city. Through a series of striking images and metaphors, Rukeyser captures the essence of youthful impatience, the societal expectations imposed on young people, and the realization of the harsh realities of the world.

The poem begins with a sense of urgency and movement: "We started to walk but it was wading-slow. / Ran to the corner and boarded at the carstop, / impatient through the city, hating the noise of iron." This opening sets the tone of restlessness and discomfort with the urban environment. The speaker's impatience is palpable, highlighting the tension between their inner desires and the external constraints of the city.

As the journey continues, the city transforms into a "submarine" world, suggesting a descent into an alien and overwhelming environment. The metaphor of the city as a deep sea underscores the sense of being submerged in a foreign and possibly hostile space: "and we are winding through, defended, winding, with / weird deepseas, the famous world, swimming, facing our youth." This imagery evokes the confusion and disorientation that often accompany the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

The poem then shifts to a critique of societal norms and expectations: "here’s your prophetic love and object lesson: / Shops will instruct you what to want. / Strangers will serve you, floorwalkers. / Condition: don’t notice their disease." Rukeyser points out the commodification of desires and the superficiality of societal interactions. The "prophetic love" and "object lesson" represent the false promises and manipulations that young people encounter, while the admonition to ignore the "disease" of the strangers emphasizes the detachment and indifference encouraged by consumer culture.

Rukeyser further explores the theme of disillusionment with societal ideals through the portrayal of the "miracle figure of the football-player" and the notion of a "perfect husband, a promised income." These images represent the conventional markers of success and fulfillment, which the speaker finds hollow and unattainable. The poem reflects a sense of loss and frustration: "We were too earnest. We had to lose."

The narrative then delves into the personal struggles of the speaker and their peers, who are depicted as being "too earnest" and therefore destined to fail in a world that values superficiality and conformity. The mention of "salesmen," "policemen," and "union hall" evokes the various forces that shape and control the lives of individuals, from consumerism to law enforcement to labor struggles.

The poem's imagery becomes more surreal and fragmented as it depicts the inner landscape of the speaker's mind: "Mind’s tropic scenery was farmed: Come back to stay, / return to the broken man across the subway." The juxtaposition of the "tropic scenery" with the "broken man" underscores the contrast between idealized dreams and harsh realities. The speaker's reflections on their ancestors and parents highlight the generational divide and the sense of isolation experienced by the youth.

Rukeyser concludes with a reflection on the shared experience of disillusionment and the search for meaning: "The adolescents, walking, at school, going through streets, / stop wavering, heal their minds snapped during mutiny." This final image of healing suggests a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, as the young people begin to reconcile their idealism with the realities of the world.

Overall, "Eel" is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by young people as they navigate the complexities of modern life. Through vivid imagery and sharp critique, Rukeyser captures the tension between youthful aspirations and societal constraints, ultimately highlighting the resilience and determination required to forge a path forward.

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