Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fear on 11th Street and Avenue A, New York City" by Denise Duhamel delves into the pervasive anxiety and uncertainty that permeate contemporary life, particularly as experienced in the bustling environment of New York City. Through the detailed observation of a seemingly ordinary scene at a schoolyard, Duhamel explores broader societal fears, touching on themes of safety, responsibility, and individuality amidst collective norms.

The poem opens with a reflection on the changing narratives of health and safety in the media—how now pesticides, not preservatives, are the new public health enemy. This shifting baseline of what’s considered "safe" sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the nature of fear itself. Duhamel captures this uncertainty as she passes a schoolyard where Catholic girls in uniform are taking their snack break, their lives regimented by the strict lines of their uniforms and the expectations they symbolize.

The imagery of the supervising nun, overwhelmed by her inability to protect the children from the myriad dangers of the world, highlights a sense of powerlessness that many feel in modern society. This figure, constrained by her religious habit and role, symbolizes the struggle between duty and the overwhelming nature of such responsibilities.

Duhamel seamlessly connects personal and communal anxieties, illustrating how societal issues such as child safety, health, and the surveillance state (represented by her fear of the IRS) contribute to a general atmosphere of fear. Her personal admission of fearing "automobiles, all kinds of relationships" further blurs the line between rational precautions and the paralyzing nature of pervasive dread.

The fear that "the sidewalk will swallow me up" metaphorically captures the urban anxiety of being consumed by the city’s immense presence and complexities. Meanwhile, the children in the schoolyard embody the learned behaviors and superstitions that adults project onto them—the fear of stepping on cracks as a playful yet poignant reminder of how early in life we begin to carry the burden of irrational fears.

However, it is the "one brown girl" who provides a glimmer of hope within the poem. Her dancing to her own tune, literally and metaphorically, with her knee sock askew and her jumper strap unbuckled, symbolizes nonconformity and the potential for personal liberation from societal fears. She is depicted as possibly being the savior, the one who might grow up to challenge and possibly change the status quo, as suggested by the speaker’s desperate plea for her to become a figure of major influence like the pope or president.

Overall, "Fear on 11th Street and Avenue A, New York City" is a poignant reflection on the collective and individual anxieties that define contemporary urban life. Duhamel uses the microcosm of a schoolyard scene to comment on the broader societal landscape, exploring how fear infiltrates our daily lives and the hope that future generations might overcome these pervasive anxieties. The poem is a call to recognize and confront these fears, suggesting that change can begin with the courage to dance to one’s own music, defying the regimented patterns of societal expectations.

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