Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Children" by Norman Dubie is a haunting poem that juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the horrors of war. Through vivid imagery and a somber tone, Dubie crafts a narrative that reflects the bleakness and violence of a war-torn environment, as well as the resilience and adaptations of those living through it.

The poem opens with a stark scene: it is a snowy evening, and there is a scarcity of candles, which sets a mood of deprivation and darkness. The planes that come "in waves" with the dinner bell suggest routine air raids that have become a part of daily life. This normalization of war's interruptions is chillingly juxtaposed with the domestic setting of the dinner table.

In the midst of this chaos, Eric, a character who remains largely removed from the central action of the poem, chooses to stay upstairs in the "orange room" where plaster falls as bombs disturb the area. The description of the horse, trapped and slowly freezing as water from broken pipes turns to ice on its body, serves as a powerful metaphor for the effects of war—violent, slow, and dehumanizing. The horse's transformation into a statue-like figure, reminiscent of a "feeding mantis," symbolizes the grotesque alteration of life by war.

The family's response to the bombings is ritualistic and almost surreal. They cover their faces with napkins dipped in soup to protect themselves from the smoke—a poignant image of desperation and futility. The explosion at the munitions factory adds to the chaos, underlining the constant presence of danger and destruction.

The narrative then shifts back to the domestic, detailing the protagonist's shame and retreat into the persona of the father, symbolized by wearing his pajamas. This act of changing clothes could signify a search for safety or an attempt to assume a role of authority and protection that is absent in the chaos.

The shooting of the horse by the uncle after it has already suffered tremendously illustrates a mercy killing but also reflects the harsh decisions that must be made in such extreme circumstances. The community's response, scavenging the horse for meat, highlights both human resilience and the breakdown of societal norms in the face of survival.

Towards the end of the poem, the focus shifts to a message about "Lily, the Aunt," written on a burnt-out building, which introduces a glimmer of hope and human connection amidst devastation. Yet, the poem closes on a note of continued violence and despair, with Eric's callous remark about bombing the horse's carcass, reflecting his desensitization or perhaps deep-seated anger and frustration.

Overall, "The Children" by Norman Dubie is a profound commentary on the impact of war on individuals, especially the young, and the transformation of everyday life into a surreal, survivalist existence. The poem captures the tragic loss of innocence and the grim adaptability required in the face of such relentless destruction.

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