Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Cities, Plains and People: 11," Lawrence Durrell presents a meditation on the limits of knowledge, virtue, and art, exploring the complexities of human existence through the interplay of love, time, and the inevitability of change. The poem delves into the existential realities of life, reflecting on the unyielding nature of certain truths and the often elusive nature of true understanding.

The poem begins with the stark assertion that "knowledge has an end, / And virtue at the last an end." This statement suggests the finite nature of human endeavors, implying that both intellectual pursuits and moral striving ultimately reach a point of cessation or limitation. The "dark field of sensibility" where these ends occur is described as "unchanging and unbending," evoking a sense of inevitability and permanence in the face of life's transitory nature.

Durrell then introduces the imagery of "aquariums gloomy / On the negative's dark screen," where "the shapes of other selves" grow. This image evokes a sense of isolation and detachment, where the "other selves" — perhaps representing alternate versions of oneself or others we long to understand — are obscured and difficult to grasp. The "negative's dark screen" suggests a photographic negative, where the potential for clarity exists but remains inverted or obscured, and the "groaned for by the heart" further emphasizes the deep emotional yearning for connection or understanding, which is "so seldom grasped if seen."

The poem's tone shifts as Durrell reflects on the forces that influence our lives: "Love bears you. Time stirs you." These lines highlight the passive role we often play in the face of larger forces; love and time act upon us, shaping our experiences and perceptions. The image of "Music at midnight makes a ground" suggests a foundational, almost mystical influence that music exerts in the quiet, contemplative hours, creating a base upon which thoughts and emotions are built. Similarly, "words on silence" carry "hidden meanings there like bogies," implying that language, too, holds mysterious and often frightening potentials that only reveal themselves when silence allows them to surface.

Durrell then introduces the idea that "Art has limits and life limits / Within the nerves that support them." This line acknowledges the inherent boundaries of both art and life, constrained by the physical and psychological frameworks that define human experience. The idea that these limits are "within the nerves" suggests that our very biology imposes restrictions on what we can create, perceive, and endure.

The poem concludes with a contemplation on the nature of wisdom and happiness: "So better with the happy / Discover than with the wise / Who teach the sad valour / Of endurance through the seasons." Here, Durrell contrasts the pursuit of happiness with the pursuit of wisdom, suggesting that it may be preferable to align oneself with those who seek joy and discovery rather than those who embody stoic endurance. The phrase "sad valour of endurance" encapsulates the quiet, often lonely courage required to persist through life's challenges, yet it also hints at the melancholy that can accompany such a path.

The final lines, "In change the unchanging / Death by compromise," reflect the paradox of life’s constancy amidst change. Even as everything around us shifts and evolves, there remains an underlying constancy — perhaps the inevitability of death, which Durrell describes as "death by compromise." This phrase suggests that life, in its essence, involves a series of compromises, a gradual yielding to the forces of time and circumstance that ultimately lead to the end.

In "Cities, Plains and People: 11," Durrell weaves a thoughtful and poignant exploration of human existence, examining the limitations and inevitabilities that define our lives. Through rich imagery and reflective language, the poem invites readers to consider the tension between striving for knowledge and virtue and the acceptance of life’s inherent boundaries. Durrell’s contemplation of love, time, and the role of art underscores the complexities of living in a world where meaning is often elusive and where the search for understanding is both a noble pursuit and a source of profound existential challenge.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...