Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Randall Jarrell's "What's the Riddle They Ask You?" is a succinct yet profound reflection on the nature of knowledge, wisdom, and the passage of time. The poem presents a seemingly simple riddle that encapsulates the human experience of seeking understanding and ultimately confronting the limits of knowledge.

The poem begins with the question, "What's the riddle that they ask you / When you're young and you say, 'I don't know,'" highlighting the early stages of life when ignorance is acknowledged with a sense of expectation for future understanding. The young are often told that with time and experience, they will come to understand the complexities of life. This notion is encapsulated in the line, "But that later on you will know."

As the poem progresses, it revisits the riddle in the context of old age: "The riddle that they ask you / When you're old and you say, 'I don't know.'" Here, the repetition of "I don't know" takes on a different meaning. It reflects the realization that even with the passage of time and the accumulation of experiences, some questions remain unanswered. The acknowledgment of not knowing becomes a form of wisdom in itself.

The poem concludes with a poignant twist: "And that's the answer?" followed by the poet's own admission, "I don't know." This final repetition underscores the central theme that the acceptance of uncertainty is a profound and perhaps the most honest response to the riddles of life. It suggests that the true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of one's knowledge and being comfortable with the mysteries that remain unsolved.

Jarrell's poem, in its brevity, captures the cyclical nature of human inquiry and the humbling realization that some aspects of existence may always elude complete understanding. It invites readers to embrace the journey of seeking knowledge while acknowledging the inherent uncertainties that accompany it.

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