Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "The Pedigree" is stark, disturbing, and deeply ambiguous, confronting themes of morality, lineage, and individual choice. The poem's provocative language and its minimalist structure create a powerful tension, inviting readers to question what Creeley means by invoking such a loaded and unsettling scenario. By addressing issues of legacy, ethical choices, and human limitations, Creeley engages readers in a confrontation with the darker, often unspoken aspects of human nature. The speaker’s voice is simultaneously introspective and accusatory, suggesting an internal struggle with the moral inheritance of "common stock" and the boundaries between choice and inevitability.

The poem opens with the line, "Or if I will not rape / my own daughter," an intentionally shocking statement that immediately destabilizes the reader. This line seems to introduce a hypothetical scenario, one that is morally repulsive and taboo. The phrase "if I will not" suggests a choice or an active decision against something monstrous, setting up a context where the speaker is grappling with an unthinkable act. This choice to refrain, to "not" commit a horrific action, paradoxically calls attention to the ability humans have to choose—and the ethical weight of these choices, no matter how fundamental or extreme. By using such charged language, Creeley forces the reader to confront the boundaries of human morality and agency.

The next line, "‘What will I do?’" is framed as a question, perhaps a moment of existential crisis or self-doubt. In the context of the previous line, this question could be read as reflecting a search for purpose or direction after rejecting a path marked by violence or depravity. If the speaker is rejecting something profoundly harmful, then the question of what to do in the absence of that act becomes a search for an alternative moral path. The line captures a kind of desperation or helplessness, as though the speaker is uncertain about the right course of action once they’ve renounced what is wrong. This existential question underscores the ambiguity and confusion that often accompanies deep moral contemplation.

"What, of what occasion, is not so / necessary, we do not / ‘witless’ perform it" is a complex and fragmented statement, suggesting a reflection on what actions are necessary or justifiable. The speaker seems to be acknowledging that not all actions are inevitable—there is room for choice and deliberation, even in dark circumstances. By saying "we do not / ‘witless’ perform it," the speaker implies that there is a degree of awareness and intent in their actions; they are not acting "witless" or mindlessly. This line emphasizes the importance of intentionality in moral decision-making, suggesting that even in the face of impulses or inherited tendencies, one has the ability to choose differently.

The word "witless," placed in quotation marks, carries a tone of irony or emphasis, perhaps indicating that the speaker is actively rejecting mindless or animalistic behavior. This distinction suggests a conscious effort to rise above a base instinct or inherited behavior, reinforcing the idea that morality is not simply a matter of lineage or "pedigree" but involves deliberate, mindful choice. The use of "witless" may also imply a critique of those who act without self-reflection, who follow inherited behaviors or impulses without questioning their validity or morality.

The final lines, "Or me. / Who am of common stock," bring the poem to a close with a stark self-reflection. Here, the speaker identifies themselves as "of common stock," implying an ordinary or unremarkable heritage. This phrase could refer to a lineage devoid of nobility or greatness, suggesting that the speaker feels bound by the limitations of their background. By acknowledging this "common stock," the speaker may be implying that they are susceptible to the same base tendencies as others, perhaps even acknowledging a familial or societal inheritance of flawed behavior. However, the choice to refrain from the horrific act mentioned earlier suggests that the speaker is striving to transcend this "common" legacy, to assert a moral identity distinct from what might be expected or inherited.

The phrase "common stock" could also be interpreted as a reflection on the shared human condition, where everyone, regardless of their background, grapples with moral choices and the potential for both good and evil. In this sense, the speaker’s struggle is universal, highlighting the paradox of human nature: the capacity for harm exists alongside the capacity for restraint and ethical growth. By ending with "Who am of common stock," Creeley underscores the humility of the speaker’s moral journey, suggesting that while they may not be extraordinary, their choice to question and reject destructive actions carries significant weight.

Structurally, "The Pedigree" is minimalist, with short, enjambed lines that give the poem a fragmented, unsettled feel. Creeley’s use of spare language and open-ended phrasing mirrors the moral ambiguity at the heart of the poem, inviting readers to engage deeply with its implications. The lack of embellishment or explanatory language forces the reader to confront the rawness of the statements and consider their layered meanings.

Through "The Pedigree," Creeley explores themes of moral agency, heritage, and self-awareness. The poem’s provocative language serves to jolt readers into considering the choices that define human identity, particularly the choice to reject harmful actions or inherited behaviors. In the end, "The Pedigree" suggests that while individuals may be shaped by their backgrounds or "common stock," they retain the power to transcend those influences, to make decisions that affirm their ethical integrity. Creeley’s exploration of these themes is unsettling yet thought-provoking, challenging readers to confront the paradoxes of morality and the weight of their own choices in defining who they are.

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