Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "Law" is a compact yet profound reflection on the evolution of human society and its legal frameworks. Through its stark language and emphatic tone, the poem captures a moment of transition, rejecting the weight of historical precedent and calling for the establishment of a new order. The poem’s brevity belies its thematic depth, as Olson engages with the tension between tradition and progress, authority and liberation.

The poem opens with a stark declaration: "Blackstone is gone." This refers to Sir William Blackstone, an 18th-century English jurist whose "Commentaries on the Laws of England" became a foundational text in the development of common law. Blackstone represents the weight of legal tradition, a codified structure that has shaped governance and justice for centuries. Olson’s statement that Blackstone is "gone" signals a break with this historical legacy, suggesting that the old legal paradigms are no longer adequate for contemporary needs.

The imagery of Blackstone’s removal is vivid and forceful. His "unwieldy weight" is placed "in a crate," rolled through a gate, and "carried… away." The physicality of this process underscores the labor involved in dismantling entrenched systems. Blackstone’s weight—literal and metaphorical—represents the burden of tradition, which, while foundational, has become cumbersome and restrictive. The act of carrying him away is symbolic of a collective effort to move beyond outdated frameworks and make space for something new.

The repeated proclamation, "Man shall have new law," is both declarative and aspirational. Its repetition emphasizes the urgency and inevitability of this transformation, suggesting not merely a desire for change but a demand for it. Olson’s use of "shall" conveys a sense of certainty and determination, as though the establishment of new law is not just a possibility but an imperative. This call for "new law" reflects Olson’s broader engagement with ideas of renewal and reimagining, consistent with his poetic ethos of breaking away from convention to explore new forms and possibilities.

The poem’s structure and language reinforce its themes of change and liberation. The short, clipped lines and sparse imagery create a sense of immediacy and momentum, mirroring the decisive action of removing Blackstone. The rhythmic cadence of the lines—particularly the repetition of "man shall have new law"—imbues the poem with a chant-like quality, evoking a rallying cry or a manifesto. The simplicity of the language contrasts with the weighty subject matter, underscoring the clarity and urgency of the poem’s vision.

Olson’s emphasis on "new law" suggests not only a break from the past but also an opportunity to redefine the principles that govern human society. By focusing on "man," Olson centers the poem on human agency and the capacity for self-determination. This aligns with his broader interest in individual and collective creativity, as well as his critique of systems that constrain human potential. The poem’s invocation of "new law" can be interpreted as a call for justice that is more attuned to the complexities and aspirations of contemporary life, unshackled from the rigid hierarchies and assumptions of the past.

"Law" is ultimately a meditation on the necessity of progress and the courage required to enact it. By invoking the removal of Blackstone, Olson symbolizes the rejection of antiquated systems and the embrace of new possibilities. The poem’s brevity and directness amplify its impact, leaving the reader with a resonant and unambiguous message: the time for change is now, and the creation of new law is both a challenge and an opportunity. In its stark simplicity, "Law" embodies Olson’s belief in the transformative power of action and imagination.

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