Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Things We Dreamt We Died For" by Marvin Bell is a contemplative poem that delves into the complexities of ideals, aspirations, and the consequences of pursuing them. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Bell explores the dichotomy between noble dreams and the harsh realities that often accompany their pursuit, particularly within the context of war, literature, and personal legacy.

The poem opens with "Flags of all sorts. / The literary life." These lines juxtapose symbols of nationalism and martial valor with the intellectual and often introspective world of literature, setting the stage for an exploration of how ideals can be both inspiring and destructive.

Each stanza unfolds the process by which the dreams and noble acts ("the gentlemanly thing") become entangled with violence and betrayal ("closets full of bones"). The phrase "closets full of bones" evokes the skeletons in the closet idiom, hinting at hidden secrets or the darker aspects of pursuing one's cause. Bell suggests that in the effort to distance themselves from "dearest possibilities," individuals often find themselves haunted and harmed by the very weapons and armies they once aligned with or fought against.

The poem reflects on the irony of achieving fame or recognition through actions that, while initially driven by noble intentions, ultimately align with the behaviors of "great plunderers." The transition from active participation in conflict to a retirement "to the university" to "cultivate grand plunder-gardens / in the service of literature, / the young and no more wars" highlights a desire to convert past experiences of plunder and conquest into something generative and educational. However, this transformation is tinged with the irony of building a legacy on the foundations of conflict and aggression.

Bell's mention of "Their continuing tributes" and the portrayal of these individuals as "our greatest saviors" raises questions about the nature of heroism and the value we place on certain types of achievements. The poem suggests that society often venerates those who have accumulated wealth and fame, even if those fortunes were built on questionable grounds. The final lines, "whose many fortunes are followed / by the many who have not one," underscore the disparity between the celebrated few and the masses who admire them, yet remain without fortunes of their own.

"Things We Dreamt We Died For" is a meditation on the allure and peril of pursuing ideals, the transformation of personal and collective narratives over time, and the ethical complexities of legacy. Through his nuanced exploration of these themes, Marvin Bell invites readers to reflect on the values that drive human action and the ways in which history and society memorialize those actions. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the gap between aspiration and reality, and the moral ambiguity that often lies at the heart of human endeavors.

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