Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s “Middle of the Air: Speech of the Mother (Act I, Sc. 4)” is a poignant soliloquy that encapsulates the passage of time, the persistence of chaos and war, and the enduring strength found in love, birth, and the everyday lives of women. The mother stands high, with the lit line of Anne’s sleeping body at her knee, symbolizing the continuation of life and the connection between generations. Her speech reflects on the past year, drawing attention to the broader historical and personal struggles that define her experience.

The opening lines, “A year passes behind me. Shadows grow larger. Time / dissolves to a moment,” immediately establish the transient nature of time. The mother’s reflection on her children, who change with each passing year, signifies the inevitable progression of life. The imagery of a “smile, a brush of the lips against my heart” evokes tenderness and the fleeting moments of joy that punctuate the passage of time.

Rukeyser intertwines the personal with the political, as the mother recounts the chaotic beginnings marked by war: “Chaos began us, war in my own time, war in my children’s time, / irrevocable accusation!” This repetition underscores the continuity of conflict across generations. The mother’s soliloquy is not merely a lament for the past but also a call to acknowledge the ongoing struggles that shape their lives. She contrasts the harshness of war with the “music of rivers, of street-corners, of our South, / blues, harvest-songs,” suggesting that amidst the turmoil, there are moments of peace and beauty found in everyday life.

The mother’s reflections extend to the broader community of women, highlighting their resilience and the shared burden of loss. She speaks of “women standing in their houses set around with order— / the bread, the doorways and tables of everyday living,” suggesting that despite the chaos outside, women strive to maintain stability within their homes. The imagery of women hearing “the shouts of fighting, / planes in the air, / and a shrill cry of women tortured under time” evokes the pervasive impact of war on their lives. Each woman’s loss, whether it be a lover, a son, or unborn children, is likened to conception, indicating that grief is an intrinsic part of their existence.

The soliloquy emphasizes the importance of collective strength and hope for the future. The mother describes her people as “skillful in war, young in love, / and in peace unbegun,” acknowledging their versatility and resilience. She envisions a future where “each singing his own song” symbolizes the diversity and unity of voices striving for a better world. This dream of a harmonious future, however, is overshadowed by the persistent “rising changing shadow of a dream,” reflecting the ongoing struggle for peace.

As the mother moves among her daughters, she reminisces about their childhood, remembering the simple acts of smoothing their hair. The repetition of “they change” reinforces the theme of transformation and the passage of time. The anticipation of one daughter having her child signifies the cycle of life continuing despite the surrounding chaos. The year’s passage and the growth of chaos around her underscore the persistence of conflict and the challenge of finding stability.

The soliloquy concludes with a sense of acceptance and hope. The mother acknowledges the strange seasons she faces as she grows older, yet she finds joy in the young and the potential for new life. She declares, “in suffering, in joy, among the marvelous changes, / among the accusations, all things glow,” encapsulating the resilience and enduring spirit that defines her experience.

Rukeyser’s “Middle of the Air: Speech of the Mother” is a powerful reflection on the interplay between personal and historical struggles, the resilience of women, and the enduring hope for a better future. Through the mother’s soliloquy, Rukeyser captures the complexity of human experience, where joy and suffering coexist, and where the continuity of life offers a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

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