Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Amnesty" presents a powerful reflection on memory, history, and the act of forgetting as a means of coping with the past. Through its introspective and contemplative tone, the poem explores the burden of painful memories, the process of amnesia as a form of self-preservation, and the paradoxical nature of forgiveness.

The poem begins with a candid admission: "The memory is not good. There is something loose / Inside the head, that is threatening the brain." This line sets the stage for an exploration of the fragility of memory and the inherent struggle to retain painful historical events. The idea of something "loose" inside the head evokes a sense of disarray and instability, suggesting that the weight of past events has disrupted the speaker's mental equilibrium.

Nemerov quickly establishes a broad scope of historical amnesia: "The past passes, that's all, it takes the pain. / I can't remember what happened to the Jews, / I can't remember Korea or Vietnam." This litany of forgotten atrocities and conflicts underscores the overwhelming nature of collective trauma. The speaker's inability to recall significant historical events illustrates a defense mechanism to escape the unbearable weight of these memories.

As the poem progresses, the speaker notes a shift from a decade of "rut and riot" to a "dumber time of rot and rout." This transition reflects a change in societal consciousness, where the chaotic and tumultuous events of the past have given way to a period marked by decay and disillusionment. The speaker's struggle to remember even pivotal events like the Bomb or the Cold War further emphasizes the theme of historical amnesia.

The confusion and merging of historical figures, such as not being able to "tell one Senator / McCarthy from another," highlight the erosion of specific details in the collective memory. This loss of distinction and clarity points to a broader cultural forgetting, where the significance of past events and figures becomes blurred.

The poem then touches on the act of forgiveness: "You'll have learned forgiveness over and again: / Forgiveness forgets, and I forgive the lot." This statement encapsulates the paradox of forgiveness, where forgetting is an integral part of the process. By forgiving, the speaker attempts to free themselves from the burden of memory, allowing them to move forward. However, the repeated phrase "forgive" underscores the difficulty and repetitiveness of this process.

The speaker's declaration, "But what I forgive us for I have forgot," reveals the ultimate irony and tragedy of this amnesia. The act of forgiveness is rendered meaningless if the reasons for it are forgotten, suggesting a hollow reconciliation with the past. This line captures the futility of attempting to erase history through forgiveness alone.

The poem concludes with a striking image: "And that the future may be bright with loss / I'm driving the children to Pike's Peak to see / The big statue of Daddy Warbucks, where he / Is shown in the act of Putting Up the Cross." This final scene juxtaposes the innocence of the children with the stark symbol of sacrifice and suffering. The statue of Daddy Warbucks, a character associated with wealth and power, putting up the cross, implies a critique of how history and its symbols are manipulated or sanitized for future generations.

In "Amnesty," Howard Nemerov delves into the complexities of memory, historical trauma, and the act of forgiveness. Through the speaker's personal reflections and the broader cultural context, the poem examines the tension between remembering and forgetting, ultimately questioning the efficacy of amnesia as a means of coping with the past. Nemerov's poignant imagery and introspective tone invite readers to consider the consequences of forgetting significant historical events and the paradoxical nature of forgiveness in the process of healing.

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