Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sasquatch" by Norman Dubie is a poignant and brief poem that employs the mythical creature Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, to delve into themes of misunderstanding, brutality, and the existential pain of existence. The Sasquatch, often depicted in folklore and media as a reclusive yet benign creature, is portrayed here in a shockingly vulnerable and tragic light.

The poem begins with the Sasquatch’s vehement declaration: "I am not a costume / stuffed with the organs of bear / and possum"—immediately dispelling any whimsical or fictional representations. This line asserts the creature's genuine existence and humanity, emphasizing that it is not merely a folkloric or cultural fabrication dressed in the guise of other wild creatures.

The following lines recount a violent and cruel act: "They shot me / twice in the stomach / with dimes." The use of dimes as ammunition symbolizes not only the devaluation of life but perhaps also reflects on how the creature has been monetized or turned into a commercial spectacle. The Sasquatch is then dragged "for miles along / the creek," an image laden with suffering and a stark depiction of the creature's agony and the disrespect for its life.

The poem concludes with a darkly ironic statement from a car salesman, who nonchalantly remarks to the Sasquatch's wife, "Ideas / die hard." This could be interpreted as a cynical comment on how myths or beliefs persist in society, but here it is juxtaposed with a literal, brutal death, flipping the idiom to reflect on the harsh reality of the creature’s fate, rather than the metaphorical death of ideas.

Through these lines, Dubie crafts a narrative that is not just about the Sasquatch but serves as an allegory for how society treats the "other" — those we do not understand or who do not fit within our conventional expectations. The treatment of the Sasquatch is a metaphor for the violence and misunderstanding projected onto what is considered foreign or frightening. This poem challenges the reader to confront the violence inherent in fear and the tragic outcomes of ignorance and myth when they are allowed to dictate interactions with the misunderstood.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...