Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Carlos Williams’s "Great Mullen" is a vivid, confrontational poem that explores themes of identity, transformation, and conflict through a blend of natural imagery and dramatic monologue. Employing a fragmented, almost theatrical voice, the poem juxtaposes the physical presence of the mullen plant—a tall, distinctive weed—with the speaker’s volatile emotions, creating a work that is both deeply symbolic and sensuously grounded.

The poem begins with a declaration: "One leaves his leaves at home / being a mullen and sends up a lighthouse / to peer from." The mullen, a plant known for its tall stalks and thick, fuzzy leaves, becomes personified as it "sends up a lighthouse." This metaphor imbues the plant with a sense of agency and purpose, likening its central stalk to a beacon. The speaker’s tone suggests admiration for the mullen’s boldness and defiance: "I will have my way, / yellow." The bright yellow flowers of the mullen become a symbol of assertiveness, individuality, and visibility.

As the poem progresses, it shifts abruptly into a contentious dialogue that blurs the boundaries between the speaker, the mullen, and a third, unseen presence—possibly a woman. The repeated accusation "Liar, liar, liar!" signals a breakdown in communication and a spiraling sense of betrayal. The speaker accuses the mullen of being connected to "her," a figure who appears to embody both allure and defilement. The mention of "djer-kiss," a popular perfume of the early 20th century, adds a layer of sensuality and intimacy, suggesting a personal, almost romantic rivalry.

The dialogue grows increasingly surreal as the speaker alternates between addressing the mullen and reflecting on their own identity: "I am a point of dew on a grass-stem. / Why are you sending heat down on me / from your lantern?" The mullen’s stalk, described as a "lantern," becomes a source of oppressive scrutiny, symbolizing a perceived imbalance of power or judgment. The speaker’s self-characterization as "a point of dew" evokes vulnerability, delicacy, and a connection to nature’s fleeting beauty, in stark contrast to the mullen’s steadfast, towering presence.

The poem’s imagery takes a darker turn as the speaker lashes out at the mullen, describing it as "cowdung, a / dead stick with the bark off." These visceral insults convey both disgust and an attempt to diminish the mullen’s authority. The language is raw, earthy, and primal, reflecting a deep conflict rooted in both physicality and emotion. The speaker accuses the mullen of being tainted by "her," who is described as "squirting on us both" and having "defiled" the speaker. These accusations suggest a triangulation of desire, betrayal, and contamination, turning the natural world into a theater for human passions and grievances.

The tension reaches its peak in the speaker’s simultaneous rejection and longing for the mullen: "I love you, straight, yellow / finger of God pointing to -- her!" The mullen, despite its flaws and associations with "her," is still an object of fascination and perhaps reverence. The "finger of God" metaphor elevates the mullen to a divine symbol, connecting its natural form to themes of creation, judgment, and destiny. Yet, the unresolved dash after "her!" leaves the thought hanging, amplifying the ambiguity and turmoil.

The closing lines return to the speaker’s fragmented, combative tone: "I am a cricket waving his antennae / and you are high, grey and straight. Ha!" The cricket’s delicate, almost insignificant form contrasts sharply with the mullen’s "high, grey and straight" stature. This juxtaposition underscores the speaker’s feelings of inferiority, defiance, and estrangement. The final "Ha!" is both a mocking laugh and a cry of frustration, encapsulating the unresolved tension that permeates the poem.

Structurally, the poem’s free verse form and lack of punctuation mirror the chaotic, fragmented nature of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions. The enjambment and abrupt shifts in tone create a sense of urgency and instability, reflecting the inner conflict at the heart of the poem. The vivid, tactile imagery grounds the abstract emotions in the physical world, allowing the natural elements—the mullen, dew, dung, and cricket—to become extensions of the speaker’s psyche.

"Great Mullen" explores the intersection of nature, identity, and human relationships with a raw and visceral intensity. The mullen serves as a multifaceted symbol: a figure of resilience and defiance, a point of conflict and accusation, and a reminder of the divine and the natural. Through its volatile language and dynamic imagery, the poem captures the complexity of human emotions, from anger and betrayal to awe and longing. Williams’s ability to merge the everyday with the transcendent shines in this work, inviting readers to grapple with the tensions and contradictions that define both the natural world and the human experience.

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