Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Of Being Numerous: 14," George Oppen reflects on the inescapable connection he feels to the men with whom he shared intense and harrowing experiences, likely during his time serving in World War II. The poem captures the tension between personal memory and the broader, more abstract concept of "The People," exploring how collective identity and individual experiences intertwine, particularly in the context of war and urban life.

The poem begins with a poignant admission: "I cannot even now / Altogether disengage myself / From those men." Oppen acknowledges that, despite the passage of time, he remains deeply connected to the individuals he served alongside in the war. This inability to "disengage" suggests that the bonds formed in such extreme circumstances are enduring and deeply ingrained in his identity. The men he refers to are not just figures from his past but are integral to his understanding of himself and his place in the world.

Oppen then vividly recalls the settings where these bonds were forged: "With whom I stood in emplacements, in mess tents, / In hospitals and sheds and hid in the gullies / Of blasted roads in a ruined country." These lines evoke the harsh realities of war, where soldiers share the same spaces—emplacements, mess tents, hospitals, and makeshift shelters in a devastated landscape. The imagery of "blasted roads in a ruined country" underscores the destruction and chaos that characterized their experiences, highlighting the profound impact of war on both the land and the individuals who lived through it.

The poem continues with a recognition of the capabilities and strengths of the men he served with: "Among them many men / More capable than I— / Muykut and a sergeant / Named Healy, / That lieutenant also—." Here, Oppen humbly acknowledges that many of his comrades were more capable or skilled than he was. By naming a few specific individuals—Muykut, Healy, and an unnamed lieutenant—he personalizes these memories, making them more tangible and immediate. These names serve as a way of honoring those who played significant roles in his life during the war, highlighting the deep respect he holds for them.

Oppen then grapples with the challenge of reconciling these personal memories with broader, more distant concepts: "How forget that? How talk / Distantly of ‘The People’." He questions how it is possible to speak abstractly or "distantly" about "The People"—a collective term that often refers to society at large or the general populace—when his own experiences are so vividly tied to specific individuals. The poem suggests that the term "The People" can feel impersonal and detached, failing to capture the intimate connections and shared histories that define his understanding of human relationships.

The final lines of the poem shift focus to the city, where "The People" are now located: "Who are that force / Within the walls / Of cities / Wherein their cars / Echo like history / Down walled avenues / In which one cannot speak." Oppen describes "The People" as a "force" within the city, their presence felt in the echoing of cars down the city's walled avenues. The comparison of these echoes to "history" suggests that the sounds of the city are imbued with the weight of past experiences, much like the memories of war. However, the phrase "in which one cannot speak" introduces a sense of alienation or frustration. Despite the collective presence and shared history within the city, there is a feeling of being unable to fully articulate or connect with that history, as if the urban environment somehow stifles or silences the individual voice.

In "Of Being Numerous: 14," Oppen reflects on the enduring impact of his wartime experiences and the difficulty of reconciling personal memories with broader societal concepts. The poem explores the tension between individual identity and collective identity, particularly in the context of war and urban life. Through his vivid imagery and introspective tone, Oppen conveys the deep connections that define his understanding of "The People," while also expressing the challenges of finding one's voice within the impersonal, echoing confines of the modern city. The poem invites readers to consider the complexities of memory, identity, and the ways in which personal experiences shape our perceptions of society and history.

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