Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Monologue of a Commercial Fisherman" by Alan Dugan is an introspective poem that uses the life of a fisherman as a metaphor to explore broader existential themes about work, life, and survival. The poem juxtaposes the physical labor of fishing with the emotional and generational continuance provided by family life, threading these aspects into a cohesive reflection on the nature of human existence.

The opening lines of the poem immediately establish a parallel between fishing and family: “If you work a body of water and a body of woman / you can take fish out of one and children out of the other / for the two kinds of survival.” This analogy sets the tone for the poem, presenting both activities as forms of sustenance—physical and generational. Fishing and family life are depicted as equally vital, each contributing to the speaker’s survival in distinct yet interconnected ways.

Dugan skillfully navigates the dichotomy of pleasure and hardship within these pursuits. He states, "The fishing is good, / both kinds are adequate in pleasures and yield, / but the hard work and the miseries are killing." This acknowledgment captures the inherent challenges of both fishing and raising a family, suggesting that while both are rewarding, they also demand significant physical and emotional effort, which can be draining.

The phrase "it is a good life if life is good. If not, not." is particularly resonant, encapsulating the conditional nature of happiness and contentment. This tautological statement reflects a philosophical resignation to the ups and downs of life, implying that one's perception of whether life is 'good' largely determines the experience of living it.

Dugan delves deeper into the complexities of the fisherman's life, describing it as a blend of "sportive and prevenient living," suggesting both the playful and the precautionary aspects of his work. The fisherman must be alert and responsive, always prepared for the unexpected, much like anyone navigating the unpredictability of life itself.

The metaphor of the water's flow—"It runs on like water, quickly, under the boat, / then slowly like the sand dunes under the house"—beautifully illustrates the passage of time and the varying paces of life experiences. The fast-moving water under the boat symbolizes the active, demanding periods of life, while the slow-moving sand under the house suggests a more gradual, perhaps contemplative phase.

Towards the end, the poem reflects on the cyclical and sometimes uncertain nature of both fishing and life: "You survive by yourself by the one fish for a while / and then by the other afterward when you run out." This survival strategy underscores the need to adapt and find resources in different places and stages of life.

The concluding lines, "You run out a hooky life baited with good times, / and whether the catch is caught or not is a question / for those who go fishing for men or among them for things," speak to the inherent uncertainties and the gamble of living. The "hooky life" metaphor extends beyond fishing to life decisions and risks, emphasizing that outcomes are often uncertain, left to be judged by others, whether they are fellow fishermen (peers) or the broader society.

Through the "Monologue of a Commercial Fisherman," Dugan offers a profound and layered exploration of life's complexities, using the fisherman’s daily reality as a lens through which to view universal questions of labor, love, existence, and the pursuit of meaning.

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