Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fiction" by Howard Nemerov uses the mundane setting of an elevator ride to explore deeper themes about human behavior, social norms, and the constraints of life. Through a seemingly simple scenario, Nemerov offers a critique of the routines and structures that govern our lives, comparing them to the plots and characters of fiction.

The poem begins with an observation of people in an elevator: "The people in the elevator all / Face front, they all keep still." This opening sets the stage for a common, everyday experience. The description of everyone facing front and keeping still highlights the unspoken social rules that dictate behavior in such confined, shared spaces. This conformity is likened to the "rapt and stupid look of saints / In paintings," suggesting a passive, almost devout adherence to these norms.

As the people look up at the numbers lighting up by turn, the poem likens this action to a form of ritual: "They are doing the dance, they are playing the game." The use of "dance" and "game" emphasizes the performative and repetitive nature of the experience, implying that their actions are mechanical and devoid of genuine engagement.

The poem then shifts to a broader perspective, noting how these individuals arrived at this point: "To get here they have gone by avenue / And street, by ordinate and abscissa." This line uses the language of geometry and cartography to describe their journey, underscoring the precision and predictability of their movements. The introduction of the "new coordinate, up," adds the vertical dimension, emphasizing the elevator's role in their journey.

Nemerov describes the people as "three-dimensional / characters, taken from real life." This phrase serves as a metaphor for the way individuals are shaped by their environments and experiences, much like characters in a story. They are "taken from real life," suggesting that their behaviors and fates are influenced by the structures and narratives imposed upon them.

The poem concludes with a reflection on fate and the inevitability of life's trajectories: "They have their fates, whether to rise or fall, / And when their numbers come up they get out." The imagery of rising or falling in the elevator symbolizes the broader rises and falls in life, with each individual's fate determined by their actions and circumstances. The phrase "when their numbers come up" cleverly plays on the idea of destiny and the mechanical process of the elevator, reinforcing the theme of predetermined outcomes.

"Fiction" by Howard Nemerov effectively uses the microcosm of an elevator ride to comment on the broader human condition. Through precise and evocative language, Nemerov highlights the ways in which social norms and routines dictate behavior, likening these patterns to the plots and characters of fiction. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the structures that shape their actions, encouraging a deeper understanding of the interplay between individuality and conformity.

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