Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "Fifty" offers a deeply introspective and candid exploration of a woman's life at the milestone age of fifty, marked by the complexities of identity, aging, and the enduring struggle for self-acceptance. The poem presents a poignant reflection on the contrast between societal perceptions of age and the personal, often hidden, realities that come with reaching this significant age.

The poem opens with a reference to a "glamorous feminist journalist" who is asked how it feels to look so young at fifty. Her response, "A good answer," is concise and almost dismissive, suggesting that the journalist's response may align with societal expectations rather than her genuine feelings. The brevity of this answer hints at the superficial nature of societal questions about age, where the focus is often on appearance rather than the deeper, more complex emotions and experiences that come with aging.

Ostriker then delves into the internal world of the fifty-year-old woman, asking the unasked and unspoken questions that lie beneath the surface. The imagery of the "thread of your rough childhood" unwinding "so far from its beginnings" evokes a sense of disconnection and the long passage of time, suggesting that the woman’s past experiences have carried her far from where she began, yet they still anchor her present identity. This thread, representing the continuity of self, is elusive and seems to have been "snipped," leaving the woman questioning her identity: "who in the world you are, Stranger?" This line poignantly captures the disorientation and alienation that can accompany aging, as the woman struggles to reconcile her past self with who she has become.

The poem also explores the tension between resignation and resistance in the face of aging. The woman is depicted as someone who is still determined to "keep this thing rolling, keep on fighting, keep up the good work," despite the inevitable approach of "the enemy"—a metaphor for old age or death. The enemy is "still miles away but coming like a commuter train," an image that emphasizes the relentless and unstoppable nature of aging. The reference to a commuter train, something ordinary and inevitable, underscores the sense that aging is a journey everyone is on, whether they acknowledge it or not.

The poem's tone shifts as it portrays the woman's daily struggle with her typewriter, symbolizing her work or creative output. The repetitive, increasingly intense action of hitting the typewriter "harder and harder, like a recalcitrant spoiled child," suggests both frustration and persistence. This act of writing becomes a metaphor for the woman’s life—a continual effort against resistance, perhaps against the inevitability of aging itself.

Ostriker further delves into the emotional landscape of the woman by questioning her romantic ideals. The poem asks whether she has "surrendered the hope of the perfect Romance," or if she still "grips that fantasy stubbornly, like a kid holding on to a dead pet." This vivid simile of a child clinging to a dead pet captures the poignancy of holding onto illusions long after they have ceased to be viable, reflecting the difficulty of letting go of youthful dreams and ideals as one ages.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of defiance: "when the clock says Almost Quitting time, do you still answer Never?" This line encapsulates the woman's refusal to yield to the passage of time, to give in to the notion that her life is winding down. Her response of "Never" suggests a spirit of resistance, a refusal to accept the limitations that society might impose on her because of her age.

In "Fifty," Alicia Suskin Ostriker skillfully captures the inner turmoil, resilience, and complex emotions of a woman grappling with the realities of aging. The poem challenges societal expectations and highlights the often unspoken struggles that come with reaching a significant age, offering a deeply empathetic and nuanced portrayal of the female experience. Through its evocative imagery and probing questions, the poem reveals the ongoing battle between acceptance and resistance, and the enduring quest for identity and purpose in the face of time's inexorable march.

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