Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Reflexion of a Novelist," Howard Nemerov explores the intricate relationship between a writer and their characters, delving into themes of creation, control, and the elusive nature of happiness. The poem reflects on the novelist's omnipotent yet detached role in shaping the lives of fictional people, while also considering the personal implications of this creative process.

The opening line, "In time, these people all will know each other," establishes a temporal framework within which the characters interact and develop relationships. This line suggests a predetermined destiny orchestrated by the novelist, hinting at the artificial nature of the characters' existence. They are bound to encounter and connect with one another as part of the narrative design.

"But me they will not know, spelling the words / Of which alone they will be put together / A certain while, though sundered afterwards." Here, Nemerov highlights the paradox of the novelist's invisibility. The characters, brought to life through the author's words, remain oblivious to their creator. Their temporary existence, pieced together from language, emphasizes the transient and constructed nature of their reality. The phrase "sundered afterwards" suggests the eventual disintegration of their connections once the story ends, further reinforcing their ephemeral existence.

The poet then grapples with philosophical questions: "Is happiness illusory or real? / I need not decide today, but should do soon." This line reflects the novelist's power to shape the emotional landscape of their characters, while also expressing uncertainty about the nature of happiness itself. The urgency in "should do soon" underscores the responsibility the novelist feels in resolving such existential questions within the narrative.

"Will meningitis or the automobile / Doom one or both, or should the honeymoon / End in the faced despair of their mistake?" These lines contemplate the potential fates that the novelist might impose on the characters. The mention of specific dangers like meningitis and automobile accidents highlights the random and arbitrary nature of their possible demise, while the "faced despair of their mistake" points to the emotional and relational consequences the characters might endure. The novelist's contemplation of these outcomes reveals their role as both creator and manipulator of the characters' destinies.

"Whichever, they cannot know me hovering there / A dimension past the space in which they speak / And do as they are told, nor be aware." This passage underscores the existential divide between the novelist and their creations. The characters exist within the confines of the narrative, oblivious to the author who orchestrates their actions from an external dimension. The novelist's "hovering" presence suggests a god-like oversight, emphasizing the power dynamics at play.

The final lines, "Even when bound and put upon the shelf, / How their voyeur will have exposed himself," bring the focus back to the novelist. The act of binding the book and placing it on the shelf symbolizes the completion and preservation of the narrative. However, the term "voyeur" introduces a sense of intrusion and exposure. Despite the characters' ignorance of their creator, the process of writing reveals the novelist's own psyche and vulnerabilities. In creating and controlling the lives of others, the novelist inevitably lays bare aspects of their own identity and experiences.

"Reflexion of a Novelist" by Howard Nemerov delves into the complex interplay between author and characters, exploring themes of creation, control, and self-exposure. Through its contemplative and philosophical tone, the poem invites readers to consider the nature of fictional worlds and the profound implications of the writer's craft. Nemerov's reflection on the novelist's role as both creator and voyeur underscores the deep connection between the act of writing and the exploration of one's own humanity.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...