Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Enjoys Watching Foreign Films" by John Ashbery presents a vivid collage of imagery and thought, characteristic of his abstract and associative style. The poem explores themes of escapism, self-reflection, and the complexity of human relationships, using the metaphor of watching foreign films as a lens to view these ideas.

The opening lines, "To stay here forever. To lie down," evoke a sense of longing for permanence and rest, possibly reflecting the desire to escape the complexities of life. The mention of "petty shacks / of masonite, this angular scrub-forest" suggests dissatisfaction with the mundane or ordinary aspects of existence.

The poem then shifts to a more idyllic setting, "some antique pergola / whose orange lozenges cast the light of reason," which contrasts with the earlier mundane imagery. This could symbolize a yearning for a more enlightened or meaningful experience, akin to the transformative power often attributed to cinema, particularly the introspective nature of foreign films.

Ashbery’s reference to the "love of man / for woman, of woman for man, of man / for man, of woman for both woman and man," is a recognition of the diverse forms of love and relationships. This inclusivity reflects the complexity and fluidity of human connections, a theme that resonates through much of his work.

The narrator's contemplation of becoming "the accuser of the race in myself" suggests a moment of introspection and self-critique, perhaps acknowledging the universal human struggle with flaws and limitations.

The imagery of "gibbets at the New York City limits" introduces a sense of constraint or impending judgment, possibly symbolizing societal pressures or personal limitations.

The poem's closing lines, with their references to a child's eyes "thirsting for grace" and the game of Monopoly, blend innocence with the adult complexities of life. The metaphor of landing in someone's hotel in Monopoly could signify the interplay of chance, strategy, and interaction in human affairs, mirroring the complexities of real relationships and life choices.

"Enjoys Watching Foreign Films" is thus a reflective and richly textured poem, inviting the reader to explore the depths of human experience and emotion through its layered imagery and open-ended narrative. Ashbery's style encourages an active engagement with the poem, allowing for multiple interpretations and personal connections.

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