Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Signs and Inhibitions" by John Ashbery delves into the complexities of human consciousness, the struggle for authenticity, and the perpetual quest for meaning amidst the mundane and the profound aspects of life. This poem, characteristic of Ashbery’s intricate style, weaves a tapestry of reflections that oscillate between the trivial and the existential, exploring themes of self-deception, responsibility, and the elusive nature of reality. Through an examination of the poem's thematic concerns, its structure and form, and the stylistic elements that typify Ashbery's poetic voice, this analysis aims to unpack the intricacies of "Signs and Inhibitions" and situate it within the broader context of his work and contemporary poetry.

The poem begins with an acknowledgment of a starting point "well after the beginning," suggesting a narrative already in progress and highlighting the fluid nature of time and memory. The mention of "nullifying / Codicils and postscripts" in the context of "ridiculous complaints about hats and gravy" introduces the theme of life's trivial preoccupations juxtaposed with the formalities and amendments that complicate human intentions and actions.

Ashbery's transition from these mundane complaints to "more general reflections" on the management of life speaks to the poem's engagement with the search for deeper understanding within the everyday. The contemplation of life's "quasi-permanent siesta of noon" and the "simplifying horizon" evokes a sense of stasis and the human desire to find solidity and significance beyond the apparent simplicity of existence.

The poem's exploration of the desire for something "more solid" than abstract ideas or the surface-level experiences that define much of life reflects a meditation on the quest for a foundational truth or essence that transcends the transient. This quest for solidity amid the ephemeral is further complicated by the notion that it is life itself, not the individual, that dictates the terms of existence, rendering the self a passive navigator across a pre-determined landscape.

The imagery of being "lost, out in the cold" yet "summonable" captures the tension between alienation and the potential for connection or recognition. This duality suggests a complex relationship with one's own identity and the world, wherein familiarity and foreignness coexist, much like the experience of a first language felt as foreign in a bilingual upbringing.

Ashbery's recollection of a childhood act of violence and the subsequent desire to erase responsibility through denial rather than confession illustrates the poem's engagement with themes of guilt, denial, and the construction of alternate realities as a means of coping with the consequences of one's actions.

The poem's reflection on the inescapability of "someone else's business" being "boldly attached" to one's own actions and the lack of time for "a reckoning" speaks to the interconnectedness of human experiences and the difficulty of disentangling oneself from the broader web of existence and responsibility.

The structure of "Signs and Inhibitions," characterized by free verse and a fluid, associative logic, mirrors the poem's thematic exploration of the liminal spaces between perception and reality, action and inaction, self and other.

Stylistically, "Signs and Inhibitions" is marked by Ashbery's evocative language and his capacity to blend the lyrical with the contemplative, inviting readers into a space of reflection and interpretation. His work challenges conventional understandings of poetry and its purposes, encouraging a personal and reflective engagement with its themes and questions.

In the broader context of Ashbery's oeuvre and postmodern literature, "Signs and Inhibitions" reflects the movement's engagement with questions of identity, the instability of language, and the fragmentary nature of reality. The poem, with its nuanced exploration of these themes and its open-endedness, exemplifies Ashbery's contribution to contemporary poetry's ongoing dialogue with the complexities of the human experience.

In conclusion, "Signs and Inhibitions" by John Ashbery stands as a meditation on the interplay of individual consciousness, societal norms, and the search for meaning within the tapestry of existence. Through its intricate imagery, thematic depth, and stylistic innovation, the poem invites readers into a reflective engagement with the uncertainties and possibilities of existence, marking it as a significant work within Ashbery's distinguished body of work and the broader landscape of contemporary poetry.

POEM TEXT: https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1987-06-29/flipbook/030/

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