Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"To Good People Who Should Be Going Somewhere Else" by John Ashbery opens with an epigraph from Flaubert's "Dictionary of Received Ideas," setting a tone of irony and challenging conventional wisdom. The poem navigates through themes of disillusionment, the complexity of human interactions, and the impermanence of emotions and situations.

The poem begins by acknowledging the allure and love many have felt towards an unspecified "you," indicating a universal human experience of attraction and affection. However, this sentiment is immediately juxtaposed with the reality of disappointment and rejection, as noble intentions are often dismissed or discredited in the chaos of life, symbolized by the "pileup."

Ashbery uses the image of a wall of plums as a metaphor for obstacles and barriers in life, suggesting that efforts to cultivate or nurture are often overshadowed by insurmountable challenges. The visibility of this wall, usually apparent in the haze, is absent today, implying a loss of clarity or direction.

The interaction with a freckled girl introduces a moment of miscommunication and unintended humor. Her laughter, prompted by a misunderstanding, brings a lightness to the poem but also emphasizes the theme of misinterpretation and the complexity of human connections. The girl's comment about boys driving through her, thinking she's invisible, touches on feelings of insignificance and the struggle for recognition, further complicating the poem's exploration of human relationships.

The hat as a symbol in the poem represents the external factors that influence perceptions and judgments. The evening headlines tilting at the hat suggest that external opinions and societal narratives often overshadow personal truths and identities.

Ashbery portrays a world in constant flux, where tranquility is fleeting and change is inevitable, whether it is desired or not. This changeability of life is presented as both a natural occurrence and a deliberate choice, reflecting the unpredictable nature of existence.

The poem concludes with a sense of resignation to the continuous alterations in life. The peace in the distance is only a distant, metallic whine, underscoring a sense of inaccessibility and unattainability. The fruit's concurrence with this sentiment suggests a universal acceptance of life's impermanence and the rarity of moments of true peace.

In "To Good People Who Should Be Going Somewhere Else," Ashbery weaves a complex tapestry of images and ideas that reflect on the transient nature of emotions, relationships, and life itself. The poem invites readers to contemplate the inevitability of change and the often elusive quest for understanding and connection in the human experience.

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