Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Kay Ryan’s "The Obsoletion of a Language" is a brief but profound reflection on the disappearance of language and, by extension, the dissolution of human connection. With her characteristic precision and understated wit, Ryan captures the eerie finality of linguistic extinction, presenting it as both inevitable and deeply tragic.

The poem begins with a resigned acknowledgment: "We knew it / would happen, / one of the laws." This opening suggests a sense of inevitability, as though the obsolescence of language is a natural phenomenon governed by universal rules. The phrase "one of the laws" implies an almost scientific or cosmic order to the process, placing the loss of language within a larger, inescapable framework. This detachment contrasts sharply with the personal and emotional impact of the event, creating a tension that permeates the poem.

The suddenness of this loss is underscored in the line "And that it / would be this / sudden." The abrupt break in the line itself mirrors the unexpected and jarring nature of the event. Despite its inevitability, the speed with which language disappears leaves no time for adaptation or mourning. This juxtaposition between expectation and surprise captures the disorienting nature of such a loss, where something as fundamental as communication can vanish in an instant.

Ryan uses striking imagery to describe the obsoletion: "Words / become a chewing / action of the jaws / and mouth." This reduction of words to mere physical movements highlights the disconnection between form and function. Language, once a vehicle for meaning and connection, is rendered a mechanical, meaningless gesture. The image evokes a haunting sense of isolation, as though the act of speaking has lost its purpose and vitality.

The final lines bring the poem’s stark vision into focus: "unheard / by the only other / citizen there was / on earth." This suggests an apocalyptic scenario, where the extinction of language coincides with the isolation of humanity. The "only other citizen" evokes a sense of profound loneliness, as communication—an essential bridge between individuals—has become impossible. The use of "citizen" rather than "person" adds an element of formality or structure, as though even the societal frameworks that once supported communication have disintegrated.

Structurally, the poem’s brevity mirrors the suddenness and finality of its subject. Each line is pared down to its essence, reflecting the reduction of language itself to a skeletal, meaningless form. The enjambment creates a sense of disjointedness, emphasizing the fragmentation and incompleteness inherent in the obsolescence of language.

Thematically, "The Obsoletion of a Language" grapples with the fragility of communication and the isolation that follows its collapse. It raises questions about the role of language in sustaining human connection and identity, suggesting that its loss represents not just the end of dialogue but the erosion of shared existence. The poem also reflects on the inevitability of change and decay, positioning linguistic extinction as part of a larger cycle of transformation and loss.

Ryan’s exploration of language’s obsolescence resonates on multiple levels. On a literal level, it could refer to the extinction of a specific language or dialect, a process that continues as cultural diversity diminishes. On a metaphorical level, it speaks to the breakdown of communication in relationships or societies, where words lose their power to bridge divides.

In "The Obsoletion of a Language," Kay Ryan delivers a poignant meditation on the ephemeral nature of language and its central role in human connection. Through her spare and incisive style, she captures both the inevitability and the tragedy of this loss, leaving the reader to ponder the profound consequences of a world where words no longer hold meaning.

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