Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Switch", Sean Ó Ríordáin explores empathy, perception, and the profound ways in which individuals can become absorbed in the lives of others. Through the character of Turnbull, who identifies so deeply with a horse’s sorrow that their identities seem to merge, Ó Ríordáin examines the boundaries of empathy, suggesting that true understanding can sometimes blur the lines between self and other. This poem uses a simple interaction—observing a horse’s eyes—to delve into the complex and often unsettling connections that can arise when one immerses oneself in another being’s experience.

The poem begins with Turnbull’s invitation: “‘Come over here,’ said Turnbull, ‘till you see the sorrow / in the horse’s eyes.’” This line sets up Turnbull’s view of the horse as a creature burdened with emotion, inviting the speaker to witness what he perceives as a deep sadness. By calling attention to the horse’s eyes, Turnbull directs the speaker’s focus to a part of the animal that is commonly associated with expression and emotion, implying that he believes animals can convey feelings similar to human sorrow. Turnbull’s insistence on showing this sorrow suggests that he sees a kinship between human and animal experiences, bridging the gap between species through shared feelings of suffering.

Turnbull goes on to explain his perspective, noting, “Had you such heavy hooves as these for feet there would be / sorrow / in your eyes too.” Here, Turnbull draws a direct connection between physical burdens and emotional expression. By imagining himself in the horse’s position, he believes he understands the source of the animal’s sorrow, attributing it to the weight of its hooves. This line reflects Turnbull’s capacity for empathy, his ability to place himself in the horse’s position and, in doing so, find a reason for its sadness. However, it also reveals his projection, as he interprets the horse’s experience through a human lens, suggesting that sorrow is an inevitable response to burdensome physical traits.

The speaker observes Turnbull’s empathy with some awe, noting that “it was plain to me, that he’d realised the sorrow / in the horse’s eyes so well.” This line suggests that Turnbull’s connection with the horse is not superficial; he has “contemplated it” deeply, to the point where he is “steeped / in the horse’s mind.” The phrase “steeped in the horse’s mind” implies a level of empathy so intense that Turnbull seems almost to inhabit the horse’s consciousness. This merging of identities suggests that Turnbull has achieved a kind of transcendence, dissolving the boundary between himself and the animal, and experiencing the world through its perspective. Ó Ríordáin captures the intensity of Turnbull’s empathy, suggesting that his contemplation has led him to a form of unity with the horse, where the line between observer and observed becomes fluid.

When the speaker finally looks at the horse, hoping to see “the sorrow standing in its eyes,” he encounters something unexpected: “I looked at the horse, that I might see the sorrow / standing in its eyes, / And saw instead the eyes of Turnbull looking at me / from the horse’s head.” This startling moment of “seeing” Turnbull’s eyes in the horse’s face creates a sense of disorientation, as if Turnbull’s identity has somehow been transferred to the animal. Rather than finding an expression of the horse’s sorrow, the speaker sees Turnbull’s sorrow reflected back, as if Turnbull has projected his own emotions onto the horse. This moment suggests the intensity of Turnbull’s empathy, which is so strong that it transforms the horse into a mirror for his own feelings. It also raises questions about the nature of empathy—whether true understanding of another being is possible, or if, inevitably, we end up seeing ourselves in the other.

The speaker’s gaze shifts back to Turnbull, and the blending of identities continues: “I looked at Turnbull, then I took a second look, / and saw looming from his face / The over-big eyes that were dumb with sorrow— / the horse’s eyes.” Here, the speaker sees the horse’s sorrowful eyes on Turnbull’s face, as if the empathy has worked both ways, transforming Turnbull himself. The phrase “over-big eyes that were dumb with sorrow” captures the animalistic, mute quality of the sorrow that now appears on Turnbull’s face. The word “dumb” suggests that this sorrow is beyond words, an inexpressible sadness that has seeped from the horse into Turnbull, making him appear more like the creature he empathizes with. This mutual transformation implies that Turnbull’s empathy has gone so deep that he has absorbed the horse’s emotional state, merging his own identity with the animal’s.

Ó Ríordáin’s use of “switch” as the poem’s title reflects this complex interchange of identities and emotions. It suggests not just a simple exchange, but a profound shift in perspective where boundaries between self and other are erased. This “switch” of identities blurs the line between human and animal, suggesting that deep empathy can lead to a loss of self, a dissolution of the individual into a shared experience of emotion. This transformation challenges conventional ideas of empathy, suggesting that understanding another’s suffering might require more than recognition—it might require us to become, in some sense, the other.

"Switch" ultimately examines the nature and limits of empathy, questioning how deeply we can truly understand another being’s experience. Through the interaction between Turnbull and the horse, Ó Ríordáin reveals the power and disorientation that comes from fully immersing oneself in another’s perspective. Turnbull’s profound empathy blurs his own identity, merging his sorrow with the horse’s in a way that becomes indistinguishable. This poem captures the beauty and potential dangers of empathy, suggesting that while it can bridge the divide between self and other, it can also lead to a disorienting merging of identities. In "Switch", Ó Ríordáin presents empathy not merely as a recognition of another’s emotions, but as a transformative experience that challenges the boundaries of identity and understanding.

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