Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "A Hundred a Day" juxtaposes the rapid pace of species extinction in the contemporary world against the seemingly simpler, more hopeful 19th century. Through reflective nostalgia and poignant contrasts, the poem explores themes of environmental degradation, historical perspective, and the human tendency to seek refuge in the past.

The poem begins with a stark factual statement: "A million species of plants and animals will be extinct by the turn of the century, an average of a hundred a day." This alarming statistic sets the stage for a meditation on the environmental crisis, underscoring the urgency and scale of the problem.

Levertov then turns to the 19th century for solace: "Dear 19th century! Give me refuge / in your unconscious sanctuary for a while." The appeal to a past era highlights a longing for escape from the present’s harsh realities. The use of "unconscious sanctuary" suggests a desire to retreat into a time perceived as less aware of its own impending ecological consequences.

The poet seeks comfort in the mundane and the genteel aspects of the 19th century: "let me lose myself behind sententious bombazine, / rest in the threadbare brown merino of dowerless girls." These images evoke a period characterized by its own struggles and injustices, yet one that provided a sense of continuity and slower change. The mention of "sententious bombazine" and "threadbare brown merino" evokes a tactile, intimate connection to the past, where even the hardships seemed manageable and contained.

Acknowledging the 19th century's own flaws, Levertov notes: "Yes, you had your own horrors, your dirt, disease, / profound injustices; yet the illusion of endless time / to reform, if not themselves, then the world, / gave solace even to gloomy minds." This recognition of past challenges juxtaposed with the "illusion of endless time" underscores a critical difference: the 19th century's perceived ability to address and reform its problems gradually, without the impending doom of irreversible ecological collapse.

The poet reflects on the era's relationship with nature: "Nature, for you, / was to be marvelled at, praised and conquered, / a handsome heiress; any debate concerned / the origin and subsequent behaviour of species, / not their demise." This portrayal of nature as an abundant, conquerable resource contrasts sharply with the contemporary view of nature as fragile and endangered. The 19th century's debates about species origins stand in stark contrast to today's urgent conversations about preventing extinctions.

Levertov contrasts the confident virtue of the 19th century with the present: "Virtue, in your heyday / (blessed century, fictive but so real!) was confident / of its own powers." The "ordinary orchard" of the past symbolizes a simpler, more hopeful view of the world, where the future seemed bright and reform possible.

The poem concludes by reflecting on the extinction of the dodo: "The dodo / was pathetic, grotesque in its singular extinction, / its own stupidity surely to blame. It stood alone / on some low hillock of the mind / and was not seen as shocking, nor as omen." This portrayal of the dodo's extinction as an isolated event, seen more as a curiosity than a warning, contrasts with today's awareness of mass extinctions and their broader implications for the planet.

In "A Hundred a Day," Denise Levertov uses the lens of nostalgia to critique the contemporary environmental crisis. By contrasting the perceived simplicity and hopefulness of the 19th century with the dire realities of the present, she underscores the urgency of addressing ecological degradation. The poem invites readers to reflect on the past not as an ideal to return to, but as a means of understanding the depth and gravity of the challenges we face today. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem serves as both a lament for lost time and a call to action for the future.

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