Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Who Knows What Constitutes a Life" by John Ashbery presents a scene that is both comical and surreal, typical of Ashbery's style. The poem opens with a seemingly mundane conversation about Uncle Pedro and his entourage planning to take over the top floor of a house. This scenario quickly takes on a surreal quality as the speaker reflects on the nature of reality and existence.

The arrival of Uncle Pedro and his group is treated with both anticipation and skepticism. The mention of "day after tomorrow" and "not in a century" juxtaposes the immediacy of the expected visit with a sense of timelessness, highlighting the unpredictable and often elusive nature of time in Ashbery's poetry.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical reflection, questioning the nature of reality and existence. The speaker wonders about the solidity and peacefulness of things that exist "beyond the breezeway, where no man has ever been." This line suggests a contemplation of the unknown and the unseen, a common theme in Ashbery's work.

The mention of the "shit list" that "extends far back into the last century" injects a humorous yet cynical tone into the poem. It implies a long history of grievances or problems, adding a layer of complexity to the seemingly simple narrative of a family visit.

As the poem progresses, the speaker experiences a moment of sensory perception, catching the scent of Uncle Pedro's "discreet eau de toilette." This detail grounds the poem in the physical world while maintaining its dreamlike quality. The speaker's reluctance to be involved in the impending visit ("to conclude that I am involved in this, or that any of it is my affair, is, well, downright dour") suggests a desire to remain detached and independent.

The final lines of the poem leave the reader with an image of the speaker stepping away from the situation, only to return later to see if anything significant has occurred during their absence. This ending reflects a common motif in Ashbery's poetry: the idea that life continues with or without our participation, and that our understanding of it is always partial and subjective.

Overall, "Who Knows What Constitutes a Life" is a quintessential Ashbery poem, blending the mundane with the surreal, the humorous with the philosophical, and leaving the reader with more questions than answers about the nature of life and reality.

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