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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Condition of the Working Classes: 1970" by Robert Bly is a stark, vivid portrayal of America's social, political, and economic turmoil during the 1970s, reflecting the nation's collective psyche and the tumultuous global context of the time. Through a series of powerful, often jarring images, Bly captures the essence of a country grappling with the consequences of its actions both at home and abroad, revealing the deep fissures and contradictions within American society. The poem opens with a critique of the United States' foreign policy, specifically its interventions in Latin America ("frightened by dreams of Guatemala") and its efforts to contain communism ("building houses with eight-mile-long wings to imprison the Cubans"). These lines evoke the Cold War's paranoia and the lengths to which the US went to maintain its geopolitical interests, often at the expense of other nations' sovereignty and the well-being of their people. Bly's imagery of "eating a bread made of the sound of sunken buffalo bones" and "drinking water turned dark by the shadow of Negroes" alludes to the nation's historical injustices, including the near-extermination of the buffalo and the displacement and slaughter of Native Americans, as well as the enduring legacy of slavery and racism against African Americans. These lines serve as a reminder of the violent foundations upon which much of America's prosperity was built. The poem then shifts to domestic issues, with surreal images of "long boards fly up, suddenly, in Nevada, in ghost towns" as an attempt to "pass a bill," suggesting the futility and absurdity of political efforts to address the nation's deep-seated problems. The reference to "insubstantial food" and the longing "to return to the shell" reflects a sense of emptiness and a desire for retreat from the complexities and challenges of modern life. Bly touches on the historical roots of social unrest, with references to Chicago's turbulent labor history and the anarchistic movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries ("anarchists fainted as they read The Decline and Fall"). The mention of "the ground is soaked with water they used to boil dogs" evokes a sense of brutality and desperation, further emphasizing the harsh conditions faced by many. The poem also delves into the personal and collective fears of losing one's identity ("Your sons dream they have been lost in kinky hair"), suggesting the disorientation and alienation experienced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. The imagery of businessmen piloting F-4s and the metaphor of baseball rising into the light capture the militarization of American culture and the glorification of competitive, aggressive pursuits. In the concluding sections, Bly presents a series of catastrophic images, from buildings exploding to wild horses running through streets and the haunting presence of the dead, symbolizing the chaos and violence that permeate American society. These images serve as a metaphor for the nation's unresolved conflicts, the pain of marginalized communities, and the destructive consequences of America's actions both domestically and internationally. "Condition of the Working Classes: 1970" is a powerful, unsettling poem that offers a critical reflection on America's social, political, and moral landscape during a period of intense turmoil. Through his evocative imagery and sharp critique, Bly challenges the reader to confront the realities of American life and the deep inequalities and injustices that continue to shape it.
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