Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Private Life of the Sphinx" is a profound exploration of identity, power, and the perennial human quest for meaning. Through the figure of the Sphinx, Rukeyser delves into themes of mystery, revelation, and the dynamic interplay between question and answer. The poem unfolds in a complex narrative that intertwines myth with contemporary reflections, emphasizing the timeless nature of human struggles and aspirations.

The poem begins with the Sphinx contemplating the impact of a single question on her existence: "Simply because of a question, my life is implicated: / my flesh and answer fly between chaos and their need." This opening sets the stage for the Sphinx's role as a pivotal figure whose inquiry into the nature of humanity ("What is this, What?") has profound implications. The Sphinx's question, demanding the answer "Man," catalyzes self-reflection and myth-making, as seen in the line, "He looked. Beheld himself and kingdoms. Took. / My claws and smile transferred into his myth." Here, Rukeyser illustrates how the Sphinx's riddle forces the king—and by extension, humanity—to confront their own nature and mortality.

The poem progresses to a depiction of war and its existential consequences: "Open war with its images of love and death— / man, an explosion walking through the night in / rich and intolerable loneliness." This vivid imagery juxtaposes the destruction of war with the enduring search for meaning and connection. The reference to "Cathedrals writhing gold against their clouds" and "a child asking the fiery pure questions" underscores the innocence and purity of inquiry amidst chaos. The Sphinx, embodying both mystery and truth, finds solace in the natural and celestial: "delicate repose of my reality among / dreams, and the angel of the resurrection, / a mouth overhead, the sky planted with stars."

Rukeyser's portrayal of the Sphinx as a figure whose body "is set against disorder" and whose questions "carry a rose of form" speaks to the transformative power of inquiry. The Sphinx's name, misunderstood as "Strangler and bitch," is reclaimed as a source of life and creativity: "I am the root who embraces and the source. / I sing. I sing." This declaration highlights the Sphinx's dual role as both a destroyer of illusions and a creator of new realities. The poem critiques the weaknesses and fears of those who seek easy answers, contrasting them with the Sphinx's enduring strength and clarity.

A pivotal moment occurs when the Sphinx recalls an encounter with a peasant in Calabria: "Is it alive? and he smiled at me. Then I knew / if I said Yes, he would twist the sparrow’s neck." The Sphinx's response, "Fool, I said, you know it depends on you / whether it live or die," encapsulates the essence of responsibility and agency in shaping one's destiny. This interaction underscores the theme of choice and the power of the individual to influence outcomes.

As the poem moves towards its conclusion, the Sphinx reflects on the interconnectedness of life and the importance of questions in sustaining it: "Here is my self. I touch you, life reaches me. / You touch me, I am able to give my gifts." The imagery of a garden "beyond questioning" and the "white lilac like a voluptuous light" suggests a realm of pure, unmediated experience and connection. This vision of harmony and unity contrasts with the fragmented and tumultuous human world, offering a glimpse of a deeper, more profound reality.

Rukeyser's Sphinx is ultimately a symbol of resilience and hope, standing firm amidst the chaos and seeking to illuminate the path to understanding: "The shining of questions which cannot be concealed / lies in that mirror." The poem closes with a powerful affirmation of the Sphinx's role in guiding humanity: "stronger than kill, / stronger almost than question, almost than song." This final assertion underscores the enduring significance of the Sphinx's inquiry and the quest for meaning that defines the human experience.

In "Private Life of the Sphinx," Rukeyser masterfully weaves together myth, philosophy, and contemporary reflection to create a rich tapestry that invites readers to ponder the nature of existence and the power of questions in shaping our understanding of the world. Through the figure of the Sphinx, Rukeyser challenges us to confront our own myths and seek the deeper truths that lie beyond the surface of our everyday lives.

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