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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Anger" by Robert Creeley is a profound exploration of the emotion of anger, its causes, manifestations, and consequences. Through a series of vignettes, Creeley delves into the complexity of human relationships, the internal and external conflicts that fuel anger, and the search for resolution or escape from its destructive cycle. The poem’s structure, fragmented yet interconnected, mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of anger itself. The poem begins with a scene that sets the tone for the exploration of anger. "The time is. The air seems a cover, the room is quiet." This opening line establishes an atmosphere of tension and anticipation, suggesting that anger, though not yet manifest, is imminent. The mention of the quiet room and the subsequent actions and reactions of the characters within it—the movement of the woman, the sleeping children, the ted dog—create a sense of normalcy that is about to be disrupted. As the poem progresses, the intrusion of external noise, "a truck through the walls, lights bright there, glaring," serves as a catalyst for the eruption of anger. The protagonist's reaction to this disturbance, "He hated it," marks the beginning of an inward journey into the landscape of anger, revealing its deeply personal and subjective nature. Creeley skillfully navigates the interior world of the protagonist, portraying anger as a black moon rising, "convulsively darkening," transforming the individual’s perception of life into one of horror and emptiness. This metaphorical depiction of anger as a consuming darkness reflects its overwhelming power to distort reality and isolate the individual from others. The poem then explores the dynamics of anger within relationships, highlighting the tension between the desire to connect and the impulse to withdraw into oneself. The protagonist's struggle to reconcile these opposing forces is depicted through the imagery of a pit—a "hole for anger" that he fills with himself, yet remains on the edge of, symbolizing the simultaneous attraction to and repulsion from the emotion. In subsequent sections, Creeley continues to probe the nature of anger, questioning whether it has a distinct odor or face, suggesting its intangible yet palpable presence. The poem becomes a reflection on self-awareness and the recognition of one’s own capacity for anger. "I think I think but find myself in it," the speaker admits, acknowledging the difficulty of separating oneself from the emotion and the tendency to project it onto others. The narrative moves through various scenes and reflections, from a direct confrontation with anger ("Face me, in the dark, my face. See me.") to the aftermath of its expression ("After, what is it—as if the sun had been wrong to return, again."). Throughout, Creeley explores the paradoxical nature of anger—the way it seeks out release yet often turns inward, the way it can be both a source of pain and a perverse form of pleasure. In the final section, Creeley addresses the broader implications of anger, its impact on relationships, and the collective burden it imposes. "All you say you want to do to yourself you do to someone else as yourself and we sit between you waiting for whatever will be at last the real end of you." This concluding statement captures the cyclical and transitive nature of anger, how it extends beyond the individual to affect others, and the longing for resolution or an end to the cycle of rage. "Anger" is a multi-layered exploration of one of the most powerful and destructive emotions. Through vivid imagery, intricate narrative structures, and deep introspection, Creeley offers a nuanced portrait of anger that is both deeply personal and universally relevant. The poem challenges readers to confront their own experiences of anger, to recognize its complexity, and to contemplate the possibilities for understanding, managing, or transforming this intense emotion.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BE ANGRY AT THE SUN by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE ANGRY MAN by PETER JOHNSON PORTRAIT OF A FIGURE NEAR WATER by JANE KENYON THE ANGRY MAN by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY A FOREIGN COUNTRY by JOSEPHINE MILES THE GLASS ESSAY by ANNE CARSON IN ORDER TO SPEAK by AIME CESAIRE |
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