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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Randall Jarrell's poem "The Blind Man's Song," attributed to the influence of Rainer Maria Rilke, is a poignant and raw exploration of blindness, isolation, and the human condition. Through the perspective of a blind man, Jarrell delves into themes of perception, suffering, and the struggle for connection in a world that feels alien and indifferent. The opening lines establish the blind man's condition as a "curse, / An abomination, a contradiction," emphasizing the profound sense of injustice and existential conflict that accompanies his blindness. The repetition of "a daily weight" conveys the relentless burden of his condition, underscoring its oppressive nature. The imagery of the blind man laying his hand on his wife's arm—"My gray hand on her gray gray"—is both tender and tragic. This gesture of reliance and connection is tainted by the monotony and bleakness suggested by the repetition of "gray." The wife's role as a guide through "empty space" highlights the blind man's dependence on others and the void he perceives in the world around him. Jarrell captures the blind man's acute sense of isolation and alienation through his interactions with the sighted world. The line "You move and shove and think that you / Sound different from stone on stone" reflects his perception of others as indistinguishable, mechanical, and unfeeling. This dehumanization is a stark contrast to his own experience of suffering, which he describes with visceral intensity. The blind man's inner torment is depicted with harrowing imagery: "Inside me something interminably / Howls, and I can't tell what's howling, / My heart or my bowels." This powerful metaphor conveys a sense of primal, inescapable anguish that blurs the lines between physical and emotional pain. The ambiguity of the source of his howling—whether it is his heart or his bowels—underscores the depth and complexity of his suffering. The blind man's reflection on the songs he sings, which others may recognize but "Not in this key, quite," suggests a fundamental disconnect between his experience and that of the sighted. This difference in perception and expression highlights the unique, often untranslatable nature of his inner world. The morning light, which comes "warm in your open house," symbolizes a sense of normalcy and comfort that is inaccessible to him. The poem concludes with a contemplation on the nature of mercy and empathy: "And you've a sense of seeing eye to eye, / And that tempts one to show mercy." This line suggests that the ability to empathize and connect with others, to truly see eye to eye, is a rare and precious gift. For the blind man, such moments of connection are fleeting and fraught with the risk of misunderstanding and pity rather than true compassion. In "The Blind Man's Song," Jarrell masterfully captures the inner life of a blind man, using vivid imagery and emotive language to convey his profound sense of isolation and suffering. The poem challenges readers to consider the limitations and biases of their own perceptions and to strive for deeper empathy and understanding. Through the blind man's voice, Jarrell offers a poignant meditation on the human condition, the struggle for connection, and the enduring quest for dignity and compassion in a world that often feels indifferent.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BLIND POET by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) HE HAD A GOOD YEAR by MARVIN BELL THE BLIND SHEEP by RANDALL JARRELL THE BLIND by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE BLIND DOG OF VENICE by RON PADGETT BATTLE AFTER WAR by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON BOARDING: 5. THE DADAR SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND by REETIKA VAZIRANI THE BLIND BOY by COLLEY CIBBER |
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