Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jack Gilbert's poem "Malvolio in San Francisco" uses the character of Malvolio from Shakespeare's *Twelfth Night* as a lens through which to explore themes of alienation, artistic integrity, and the tension between genuine expression and societal expectations. Through vivid imagery and introspective commentary, Gilbert critiques the superficiality and conformity he perceives in contemporary culture, particularly within the artistic community.

The poem begins with a description of avant-garde artistic activities: "Two days ago they were playing the piano with a hammer and blowtorch. / Next week they will read poetry to saxophones." These lines introduce a world of experimental art that seems to prioritize novelty and shock value. The repeated phrase "they" creates a sense of distance between the speaker and the artistic community he observes.

Gilbert's mention of "the Chinese Wall of laughter" signifies a barrier created by constant mirth, which the speaker finds exhausting: "They laugh so much. / So much more than I do. / And it doesn't wear them out as it wears me out." This laughter, rather than being joyful, becomes a symbol of superficiality and emotional shallowness. The speaker feels out of place, unable to match the exuberance of those around him.

The critique becomes personal as the speaker reflects on the criticism he faces: "That's why your poetry's no good, they say. / You should turn yourself upside down so your ass would stick out, they say." The absurdity of this advice highlights the speaker's sense of alienation and frustration with the expectations placed on him. He acknowledges his inability to conform: "I do feel awkward playing the game. / I do play the clown badly. / I cannot touch easily."

Gilbert contrasts this modern artistic environment with historical and mythological references. He expresses a deep mistrust of the city's superficial nature: "But I mistrust the ways of this city with its white skies and weak trees. / One finds no impala here. / And the birds are pigeons. / The first-rate seems unknown in this city of easy fame." The impala and first-rate birds symbolize a higher, more genuine standard of beauty and excellence that the speaker finds lacking in his surroundings.

The poem shifts to reflections on artistic integrity and the consequences of striving for greatness: "The hand's skill is always from deliberate labor. / They put Phidias in prison about his work on the Parthenon, saying he had stolen gold. / And he probably had." Phidias, the ancient Greek sculptor, represents the dedicated artist whose commitment to his craft leads to both great achievements and personal sacrifices. Similarly, Orpheus, with his "stubborn alien smell," embodies the artist who suffers for his art and his unwillingness to conform.

Gilbert draws a parallel between himself and Malvolio, the puritanical steward in *Twelfth Night* who becomes the butt of a cruel joke: "What if I should go yellow-stockinged and cross-gartered? / Suppose I did smile fantastically, / kissed my hand to novelty, what then?" Malvolio's forced transformation and subsequent humiliation reflect the speaker's fear of compromising his integrity for acceptance, only to be ridiculed and marginalized.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the musk deer: "The musk deer is beguiled down from the great mountain by flutes to be fastened in a box / and tortured for the smell of his pain." This metaphor illustrates the artist's entrapment and exploitation by a society that values their suffering over their genuine expression. The speaker longs for a return to a simpler, more honest way of being: "Yet somehow there is somehow / I long for my old bigotry." This longing for "old bigotry" can be interpreted as a desire for the authenticity and clarity of his earlier convictions, free from the corrosive influence of a conformist culture.

"Malvolio in San Francisco" by Jack Gilbert is a profound exploration of the conflict between artistic integrity and societal expectations. Through the lens of Malvolio's story, Gilbert critiques the superficiality of contemporary art scenes and reflects on the personal costs of maintaining one's authenticity in the face of external pressures. The poem invites readers to consider the true value of artistic expression and the importance of remaining true to oneself amidst the clamor for novelty and approval.

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