Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Karen Fleur Adcock’s “Incidentals: Double-Take” offers a humorous yet penetrating exploration of memory, attraction, and the capricious nature of human emotions. The poem portrays a series of fleeting, interconnected observations that blur the lines between past and present, neighbor and lover, dislike and desire. Through its candid tone and episodic structure, Adcock delves into the quirks of memory and chemistry, demonstrating how both shape and distort our interactions.

The poem begins with a seemingly innocuous observation: the speaker sees her next-door neighbor from an upstairs window and is reminded of her ex-lover, specifically his baldness, a detail she had “forgotten.” This offhand association sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where superficial resemblances spark deeper, unintended reflections. At ground level, the neighbor loses his resemblance to the ex-lover, and the speaker feels relieved not to be attracted to him. This moment encapsulates the human tendency to oscillate between fleeting comparisons and more grounded realities. Adcock's juxtaposition of perspectives—viewing from above versus engaging at ground level—serves as a metaphor for the difference between abstract thought and tangible experience.

A week later, the narrative takes an ironic turn when the speaker meets her ex-lover at a party. Now, he faintly reminds her of her neighbor, this time due to his newfound paunch, a physical detail that further complicates her perception. This reversal, where the ex-lover is now viewed through the lens of the neighbor, emphasizes how memory and association can play tricks on the mind. Adcock's casual tone heightens the humor of this situation, as the speaker recalls her feelings of disdain for the ex-lover, only to find herself questioning her emotions by the poem’s end.

The interaction between the speaker and her ex-lover at the party is filled with ambiguous signals. Despite her initial disdain, he behaves warmly, giving her a kiss that is “more than neighbourly” and suggesting he might call her. The speaker, caught between relief and doubt, leaves the party earlier than planned, but the encounter leaves her unsettled. Adcock captures the complexity of this moment with subtle irony. The speaker’s insistence that she doesn’t “fancy him” is immediately undercut by her own bodily response: her legs “prancing cheerfully” along the pavement. This incongruence between thought and action highlights the irrationality of attraction, a theme that runs throughout the poem.

The final stanza underscores the central tension of the poem: the speaker’s internal struggle between her rational self and the uncontrollable forces of memory and chemistry. Her reflection, “what exactly have you just remembered?” suggests that her feelings are not rooted in the present interaction but are instead triggered by an elusive, perhaps subconscious recollection. Adcock's use of rhetorical questions invites the reader to share in the speaker's uncertainty, emphasizing the fluid and often inexplicable nature of desire.

At its core, “Incidentals: Double-Take” examines the ways in which memory and physical attraction intersect and collide. The speaker’s oscillation between relief, disdain, and a sudden rush of excitement reflects the instability of human emotions, particularly when influenced by the past. Adcock’s deft handling of these shifts—through her conversational tone and precise imagery—renders the poem relatable and engaging. The recurring motif of “resemblance” serves as a metaphor for how our minds draw connections, often unwarranted, between unrelated people or events.

Structurally, the poem mirrors its content. The episodic progression, with its quick shifts in time and setting, reflects the erratic nature of memory and thought. The poem's language, unembellished and straightforward, captures the speaker’s stream-of-consciousness style, further immersing the reader in her experience. Adcock’s humor, laced with self-awareness, prevents the poem from veering into melodrama, maintaining a lighthearted yet reflective tone.

Ultimately, the poem's conclusion—“you go home cursing chemistry”—encapsulates the speaker’s resignation to the irrational forces at play. The use of the word “chemistry” is particularly apt, as it encompasses both the scientific and emotional dimensions of attraction. While the speaker seeks to rationalize her feelings, she is ultimately at the mercy of her own physiological and psychological responses. This recognition adds a layer of poignancy to the humor, reminding readers of the universal struggle to reconcile logic with emotion.

“Incidentals: Double-Take” is a nuanced exploration of how memory, attraction, and self-perception intertwine. Through its vivid narrative and wry tone, the poem captures the complexity of human relationships and the unpredictable nature of desire. Adcock’s ability to balance humor with deeper reflection ensures that the poem resonates on multiple levels, inviting readers to consider their own experiences with the capriciousness of memory and chemistry.

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