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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
The poem's opening, echoing the famous phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence, immediately sets a tone of fundamental truths or beliefs, yet quickly pivots to address contemporary issues such as political and moral ostracism, urban chaos, and the impact of industrialization. The proximity of the factory to "total financial upheaval" and its confrontation with regression speaks to the intertwined nature of industrial development, economic instability, and societal change. The mention of a "descending code of values" suggests a decline in moral standards, yet the poem contests this assumption, highlighting the complexity of correlating economic and moral shifts. The imagery of corporate vandalism juxtaposed with the frivolity of violets on a dress captures the contrast between acts of moral transgression and surface-level aesthetics or societal norms, suggesting a dissonance between appearance and underlying ethical issues. The reference to rejoicing with the "prophets of commercial disaster" over the delayed climax of unfolding events introduces a sense of irony and skepticism towards predictions of doom and the slow unfolding of societal consequences. The mention of men planning the week's activities at their desks, with their actions taking shape like flocks of sparrows, conveys a sense of aimless yet somehow directed motion, reflecting the seemingly chaotic yet purposeful nature of business and urban life. The poem then shifts to explore the concept of memory as a source of profit, with memories darting like dandelion fuzz, symbolizing the fleeting and pervasive nature of recollections and their role in shaping our experiences and perceptions. The idea that memory eventually lays out its accumulation, rendering it useless for good, touches on the eventual futility of dwelling on the past, with anomalies canceling each other out, leading to a neutralization of memory's impact. The concluding lines, describing a couple waking apart on a bed, introduce a personal, intimate element, contrasting the broader societal themes with the private sphere of a marital relationship. "We hold these truths to be self-evident" is a contemplative and intricately woven poem that invites readers to consider the complexities of contemporary society, the role of memory in shaping our understanding, and the human experience of navigating through a world filled with contrasts and paradoxes. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and layered narrative creates a piece that deeply engages with the multifaceted nature of modern existence and human connection. POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/decoy
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