Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Kay Ryan's poem "Why We Must Struggle" is a meditation on resilience, self-discovery, and the paradoxical growth that emerges from hardship. With her characteristic conciseness and probing thought, Ryan explores how struggle not only reveals the limits of our endurance but also uncovers hidden reserves of strength and insight. Through tightly woven language and reflective questioning, the poem challenges readers to embrace difficulty as a means of understanding loss, adaptation, and the sustaining power of need.

The poem begins with a conditional reflection: "If we have not struggled / as hard as we can at our strongest." This opening clause situates struggle as a fundamental act of self-testing, a way of pushing ourselves to the limits of our abilities. The phrase "at our strongest" highlights the necessity of engaging with challenges when we are best equipped to face them, suggesting that only by fully exerting ourselves can we gain a true sense of our capacities. The tone is not accusatory but contemplative, as though the poet is inviting readers to reflect on their own encounters with struggle.

Ryan then poses a question that underscores the purpose of such effort: "how will we sense / the shape of our losses?" Here, loss is presented as something with contours that can be felt or understood only through struggle. The metaphor of loss as having "shape" implies that hardship gives form to our experiences, allowing us to perceive and make sense of what we have endured. Struggle becomes a way of mapping the terrain of our losses, transforming them from abstract grief into something tangible and comprehensible.

The poem continues with a series of interconnected questions: "or know what sustains us longest / or name what change costs us." These lines expand on the idea that struggle provides clarity, not only about loss but also about resilience and transformation. To "know what sustains us longest" is to uncover the sources of our inner strength—whether relationships, values, or personal reserves of willpower—that endure through hardship. Similarly, to "name what change costs us" is to confront the toll of adaptation and growth, acknowledging the sacrifices inherent in transformation. Ryan’s phrasing suggests that these insights are not easily gained; they require the crucible of struggle to emerge fully into consciousness.

The poem then shifts focus to the adaptability of the self: "how strange it is that one sector of the self / can step in for another in trouble." This observation highlights the remarkable flexibility of the human psyche, the way different aspects of our identity or character can compensate for one another in times of crisis. The use of "sector" evokes the image of a dynamic system, where different parts work together to maintain balance. Ryan frames this adaptability as surprising, even "strange," emphasizing the latent capacities we often do not recognize until they are activated by necessity.

The next lines delve deeper into this idea of latent potential: "how loss activates a latent double." The "latent double" suggests an unrealized or dormant aspect of the self that emerges in response to struggle. This idea resonates with the notion that hardship can bring out unexpected strengths or qualities, revealing dimensions of our character that might otherwise remain hidden. The word "activates" emphasizes the transformative power of loss, framing it as a catalyst for self-discovery rather than merely a source of suffering.

In the poem’s concluding lines, Ryan presents a striking metaphor: "how we can feed as upon nectar / upon need." Here, need—a state often associated with vulnerability or deprivation—is likened to nectar, a substance that sustains and nourishes. This metaphor reframes need as a source of sustenance, suggesting that the experience of dependency or longing can paradoxically provide strength and energy. The juxtaposition of "feed" and "need" encapsulates the poem’s central paradox: that struggle, while painful, is also essential for growth and survival.

Structurally, the poem’s form reflects its themes of questioning and discovery. Its lack of punctuation creates a seamless flow, mimicking the continuous process of struggle and reflection. The use of enjambment propels the reader forward, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the ideas and the sense of momentum that struggle brings. Ryan’s characteristic precision and economy of language ensure that every word contributes to the poem’s layered meanings.

Thematically, "Why We Must Struggle" explores the transformative potential of hardship. It suggests that struggle is not merely a test of endurance but a means of uncovering truths about ourselves: what we value, what sustains us, and how we adapt to loss. The poem also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, highlighting its capacity to compensate, transform, and draw strength from need.

In conclusion, "Why We Must Struggle" by Kay Ryan is a profound reflection on the necessity and value of hardship. Through her concise and evocative language, Ryan invites readers to view struggle not as something to be avoided but as a vital process of self-discovery and growth. The poem’s exploration of loss, adaptability, and the sustaining power of need offers a nuanced perspective on resilience, reminding us that even in our moments of greatest difficulty, we have the capacity to transform and endure.

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