Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Swear It" delves into the complexities of language, cultural identity, and the often unspoken power dynamics embedded in the way we communicate. The poem juxtaposes the vibrant, expressive swearing of the speaker's parents with the sanitized, euphemistic language of their extended family, exploring how words reflect deeper societal attitudes and prejudices.

The poem begins with a vivid depiction of the speaker's mother and father, each swearing in distinct and powerful ways. The mother’s swearing is described as "ripely, inventively / a flashing storm of American and Yiddish," blending two cultural linguistic traditions into a dynamic, expressive force. This combination of languages suggests a rich cultural heritage and the strength of expression that comes from such a blend. The storm imagery conveys the intensity and vibrancy of her swearing, painting a picture of a woman who communicates with passion and creativity.

In contrast, the father’s swearing is "briefly, like an ax / descending on the nape of a sinner." This simile conveys a sharp, decisive impact, suggesting a more controlled and perhaps more violent form of expression. The imagery of an ax emphasizes the precision and finality of his words, highlighting a stark difference in style between the parents. This contrast sets the stage for the exploration of language and its implications.

The poem then shifts focus to the extended family on the father’s side, who use euphemisms like "gosh" and "goldarnit." Their "soft putty cussing" is portrayed as weak and ineffectual compared to the vivid swearing of the parents. The euphemistic expressions like "go to heck" and "son of a gun" reflect a cultural reluctance to confront reality directly, opting instead for sanitized versions of stronger language. This choice of words underscores a form of self-censorship and an avoidance of confronting the rawness of human experience.

The stanza describing the euphemisms for body parts and functions further illustrates this avoidance. Words like "limbs instead of legs" and "privates encompassed everything / from bow to stern" reveal a discomfort with the body and its functions, opting for vague and indirect language. This discomfort extends to bodily functions, referred to as "number one and number two" and "eventually, perhaps, it." The vagueness of "it" highlights the reluctance to name certain realities directly, reflecting a broader cultural tendency to shy away from blunt truth.

Piercy then critiques the notion that certain words are "too potent to say," particularly to those with "ears... tender as baby lettuces." This metaphor of delicate ears highlights the perceived fragility of those who cannot handle strong language. The poem suggests that this fragility is often associated with those who impose societal norms and restrictions, "label[ing] us into narrow jars with salt and / vinegar." This imagery of pickling implies a preservation and control that strips away individuality and vitality, reducing people to stereotypes.

The closing lines of the poem address the deeper societal issues underlying language use. The admonition to "Never say / the K or N word" points to the racial and ethnic slurs that are taboo, reflecting a superficial politeness that masks deeper prejudices. The actions described—"quietly shut / and bolt the door" and "politely / insert your foot in the Other's face"—reveal the underlying hostility and exclusion that polite language often conceals. This critique underscores the hypocrisy of a society that avoids offensive words while perpetuating discrimination and exclusion in more insidious ways.

"Swear It" by Marge Piercy is a powerful exploration of language and its cultural implications. Through vivid imagery and contrasting styles of swearing, Piercy highlights the ways in which language reflects deeper societal attitudes and power dynamics. The poem critiques the superficial politeness that masks underlying prejudices, calling attention to the need for genuine communication and confrontation of societal issues.

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