Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Climbing" by Lucille Clifton is a poignant exploration of ambition, identity, and the internal struggles women face in navigating their desires and societal expectations. Through the metaphor of climbing a rope, Clifton delves into themes of competition, self-reflection, and the pursuit of personal goals, all while grappling with the societal pressures that shape women's experiences and self-perceptions.

The opening lines introduce a woman climbing ahead of the speaker, "her dangling braids the color of rain." This vivid imagery not only sets a scene of physical ascent but also suggests a journey or quest that is both challenging and fluid. The reference to the other woman's braids, and the speaker's subsequent reflection on her own choices—regarding her appearance, her body, and her desires—immediately introduces the theme of comparison and the questioning of one's path in light of another's.

The speaker's contemplation, "maybe i should have had braids. / maybe i should have kept the body i started, / slim and possible as a boy's bone," reveals a longing for simplicity or a different set of choices that might have made the climb easier or the journey less complicated. This introspection reflects the broader societal pressures on women to conform to certain standards of beauty and femininity, as well as the internalized desire for a form of physical and metaphorical lightness that could grant freedom from these pressures.

"Maybe i should have wanted less," the speaker muses, twice repeating the line for emphasis. This reflection on desire and ambition speaks to the guilt and conflict that often accompany women's aspirations, both personal and professional. The "bowl in me / burning to be filled" is a powerful metaphor for the intrinsic human yearning for fulfillment and purpose, a yearning that is frequently complicated by gendered expectations that dictate the appropriate scope and scale of women's desires.

The mention of the "notch in the rope / marked Sixty" serves as a symbolic milestone or marker of progress, age, or achievement. The speaker's acknowledgment of her struggle to reach this point, "I rise toward it, struggling, / hand over hungry hand," underscores the effort and determination required to pursue one's goals, especially in the face of societal obstacles and internal doubts.

"Climbing" is a deeply resonant poem that captures the complexity of women's experiences with ambition, identity, and societal norms. Lucille Clifton's use of vivid imagery and metaphor invites readers to consider the personal and universal challenges of striving for fulfillment in a world that often seeks to limit women's desires and achievements. Through this contemplative and evocative piece, Clifton offers both a reflection on the individual journey and a critique of the broader societal landscape that shapes that journey.

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