Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "Chocolates" is a subtle exploration of human nature, social interaction, and the delicate balance between the profound and the trivial. By framing the poem around an anecdote involving the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov, Simpson reveals the ways in which seemingly insignificant topics can provide a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. The poem uses humor and irony to highlight the contrast between intellectual pretension and the simplicity of personal preferences, ultimately suggesting that the latter may offer a more authentic connection between people.

The poem begins with a group of people visiting Chekhov, a figure they clearly hold in high esteem. They engage in the expected conversation, making remarks about his genius. This opening sets up a scene of typical intellectual discourse, where visitors likely feel compelled to speak in lofty terms, perhaps to impress Chekhov or to demonstrate their own understanding of his work. However, Chekhov’s reaction is not one of engagement with their praise; instead, he fidgets, a gesture that signals discomfort or disinterest. This small detail hints at Chekhov’s impatience with the superficiality of their conversation, despite its highbrow content.

Chekhov interrupts the flow of the conversation with an unexpected question: "Do you like chocolates?" This simple query immediately shifts the tone of the gathering from one of formality to one of personal preference. The guests are initially "astonished, and silent," indicating their surprise at being asked something so seemingly trivial in the presence of a literary master. The question serves as a disruption of the expected norms of intellectual discussion, and it catches the visitors off guard.

As the conversation continues, Chekhov probes further, asking whether they prefer "the light, sweet chocolate or the dark, bitter kind." This inquiry, while still seemingly trivial, forces the guests to consider their tastes and express a personal opinion. The specificity of the question invites them to move away from abstract discussions and engage with something tangible and familiar. The conversation that follows becomes increasingly lively, as the guests discuss different types of chocolates—cherry centers, almonds, Brazil nuts. In this shift from the intellectual to the personal, the guests "lose their inhibitions" and begin to interrupt one another, a sign that they are becoming more genuinely engaged.

Simpson cleverly contrasts the ease with which the guests discuss chocolates with their likely discomfort in discussing more complex or contentious issues, such as "politics in the Balkans" or "the vexed question of men and women." The poem suggests that while people may struggle to articulate their thoughts on these weighty topics, they are far more confident and expressive when it comes to something as simple as the "flavor of shredded coconut." This contrast underscores the idea that personal preferences, even about something as mundane as chocolate, are deeply held and can reveal more about a person than their opinions on more abstract matters.

The conversation reaches a climax when someone mentions "chocolates filled with liqueur," a flavor so divisive or intriguing that it leaves "everyone, even the author of Uncle Vanya, at a loss for words." This moment of collective speechlessness is humorous, as it highlights the absurdity of being stumped by a confectionery choice after having such a lively discussion. Yet it also suggests that certain topics, no matter how small, can evoke strong, even unexplainable, reactions.

The poem concludes with the guests reflecting on the encounter as they return to Petersburg. They agree that "it had been a most unusual conversation," recognizing that the experience was unlike the typical intellectual discourse they might have expected. This reflection suggests that the true value of the conversation lay not in its intellectual content, but in its ability to connect people on a more personal, human level.

"Chocolates" by Louis Simpson uses the anecdote of Chekhov and his visitors to explore the relationship between the profound and the trivial. Through the lens of a simple conversation about chocolate, Simpson reveals how personal preferences and everyday topics can break down social barriers and lead to genuine human connection. The poem is a reminder that while intellectual discussions have their place, it is often in the small, seemingly insignificant details that we find the truest expressions of ourselves and others.

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