Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Forties Flick" by John Ashbery delves into the realms of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the boundary between reality and artifice. Set against the backdrop of a scene reminiscent of a 1940s movie, the poem explores themes of isolation, introspection, and the blurred lines between life and art.

The poem opens with a vivid image: "The shadow of the Venetian blind on the painted wall, / Shadows of the snake-plant and cacti, the plaster animals." This setting is both domestic and surreal, blending the ordinary with a sense of the uncanny. The shadows cast by the blinds and houseplants create an atmosphere that is both familiar and estranged, setting the tone for the poem’s exploration of the mundane and the extraordinary.

The woman in "bra and panties" who moves to the window introduces a sense of vulnerability and exposure. The act of raising the blind to reveal a "fragile street scene" with "wafer-thin pedestrians" suggests a connection, however tenuous, between the private interior world and the bustling exterior reality. However, the blind is quickly lowered, and the slats are tilted up, signaling a retreat back into the seclusion and introspection of the indoor space.

The lament, "Why must it always end this way?" underscores a sense of inevitability and resignation. The scene transitions to a "dais with woman reading," shifting the focus from the visual to the literary. The mention of the woman's "ruckus of her hair" and the unsaid aspects of her character evoke a sense of mystery and depth, inviting the reader to contemplate what lies beyond the surface.

The poem reflects on the art of storytelling, particularly the selective nature of narrative creation. The notion of leaving out "important details" and focusing on character development is a commentary on how stories are crafted and how they mirror or distort reality. The line, "Things too real / To be of much concern, hence artificial," captures the paradoxical nature of art and life, where the most authentic experiences can seem unreal, and the artificial can become deeply ingrained in our perception.

The poem concludes with a contemplation of mortality and the human condition. The laughter at death suggests a coping mechanism or a way of making sense of the inevitable. The "background, dark vine at the edge of the porch" serves as a metaphor for the lurking presence of death, always at the periphery of life but an integral part of the human experience.

In "Forties Flick," Ashbery masterfully weaves together the ordinary and the extraordinary, the real and the imagined, creating a reflective and layered narrative that resonates with the depth and nuance of the human condition. The poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we construct our realities, the stories we tell ourselves, and the ever-present interplay between life and death.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/forties-flick

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