Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "The Mutes" poignantly explores the unsettling and complex dynamics of catcalling and its impact on women. Through vivid and evocative language, Levertov examines the nature of these unwanted verbal advances, interpreting them as a form of distorted communication that carries deep societal implications.

The poem opens with a depiction of the sounds men make when they encounter a woman: "Those groans men use / passing a woman on the street / or on the steps of the subway." These groans are described as a crude acknowledgment of the woman's gender and the men's physical awareness of it: "to tell her she is a female / and their flesh knows it." This immediate reduction of a woman to her gender and the men's physical response sets the tone for the examination of these interactions.

Levertov then questions the nature of these groans: "are they a sort of tune, / an ugly enough song, sung / by a bird with a slit tongue / but meant for music?" This comparison to a bird with a slit tongue suggests a potential for communication and beauty that has been damaged or corrupted, indicating that these groans might be a failed attempt at expressing something more profound. Alternatively, she considers whether they might be "the muffled roaring / of deafmutes trapped in a building that is / slowly filling with smoke," evoking a sense of desperation and helplessness.

The poet suggests that these groans could be both: a distorted, grotesque form of communication and a cry of frustration. The men who make these sounds often appear limited in their ability to express themselves: "Such men most often / look as if groan were all they could do." Despite this, the poem acknowledges the uncomfortable reality that women often perceive these groans as a form of recognition or tribute: "a woman, in spite of herself, / knows it's a tribute: / if she were lacking all grace / they'd pass her in silence."

Levertov delves deeper into this paradoxical perception: "so it's not only to say she's / a warm hole. It's a word / in grief-language, nothing to do with / primitive, not an ur-language; / language stricken, sickened, cast down / in decrepitude." Here, the groans are interpreted as a form of "grief-language," a degraded and diseased mode of communication that reflects a broader societal malaise. The language is not primitive but rather broken and corrupted, indicative of deeper issues within society.

The woman’s reaction is one of revulsion and helplessness: "She wants to / throw the tribute away, dis- / gusted, and can't." The groans linger, affecting her even as she tries to dismiss them: "it goes on buzzing in her ear, / it changes the pace of her walk." This persistent impact highlights the invasive and insidious nature of these interactions, which continue to affect her long after the encounter.

Levertov uses powerful imagery to convey the lasting impact of these groans: "the torn posters in echoing corridors / spell it out, it / quakes and gnashes as the train comes in." The groans reverberate through the woman's environment, influencing her perception and mood. Her pulse quickens, reflecting her heightened state of alertness and discomfort.

The poem concludes with a stark realization: "Her pulse sullenly / had picked up speed, / but the cars slow down and / jar to a stop while her understanding / keeps on translating: / 'Life after life after life goes by / without poetry, / without seemliness, / without love.'" This ending underscores the pervasive absence of beauty, decency, and love in these interactions, emphasizing the bleakness of a world where such distorted communication prevails.

"The Mutes" by Denise Levertov is a powerful commentary on the degrading and invasive nature of catcalling. Through her rich and evocative language, Levertov captures the complex emotions and societal implications surrounding these unwanted advances, highlighting the profound and lasting impact they have on women. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the need for genuine, respectful communication and the deep human longing for connection that transcends such crude expressions.

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