Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Language of New York (2)," George Oppen deepens his exploration of urban life, focusing on the existential and psychological states of those who inhabit the modern metropolis. This poem presents a stark and critical view of the city's residents, who, despite their apparent fortune, find themselves in a world that is both overwhelming and devoid of meaning. Through his careful use of language, Oppen conveys a sense of disconnection, alienation, and the erosion of genuine experience in the face of modernity.

The poem opens with the assertion that the "fortunate" are "Unable to begin / At the beginning." This phrase suggests that those who come into the world in a place like New York City are born into a situation where everything has already been established. The "beginning" has been lost to them, and they must navigate a world where choices, values, and structures are pre-determined. They find "everything already here," implying that they have no hand in shaping the world but must instead choose from what is available—a process that strips away originality and the opportunity for authentic creation.

Oppen describes these individuals as "shoppers, / Choosers, judges," roles that emphasize their passive participation in life. They do not create or innovate but rather select from what is already provided. This consumerist mentality reflects a broader societal condition where value is determined by the act of choice rather than by deeper engagement or understanding. The repetition of these roles—shoppers, choosers, judges—underscores the superficiality and emptiness of their actions.

The poem then takes a darker turn with the introduction of "the brutal," which is described as "without issue, a dead end." This line suggests that the harsh realities of life in the city, the brutal truths of existence, lead nowhere. There is no resolution, no redemption, only a dead end. This "brutal" aspect of life is inescapable, yet it offers no path forward, trapping the city's inhabitants in a cycle of meaningless repetition.

Oppen continues by observing that these individuals "develop / Argument in order to speak, they become unreal, unreal." This line critiques the way in which communication in the modern city has become hollow, filled with arguments that are more about the act of speaking than about conveying truth or meaning. The repetition of "unreal" emphasizes the loss of substance in their lives, as argument and debate become ends in themselves, rather than means to understanding. This unreal quality of life leads to a loss of "solidity" and "extent," meaning that life no longer feels substantial or expansive—it has become narrow, shallow, and disconnected from deeper human experiences.

The poem’s reference to baseball as "their game because baseball is not a game but an argument" serves as a metaphor for the nature of their engagement with life. Baseball, traditionally seen as a leisurely pastime, is reinterpreted here as a series of disputes and differences of opinion, mirroring the broader societal condition where competition and disagreement replace genuine interaction. Similarly, "difference of opinion makes the horse races," suggesting that even leisure activities are dominated by conflict rather than enjoyment or fulfillment.

Oppen then describes these people as "ghosts that endanger / One's soul." The use of "ghosts" conveys a sense of lifelessness, as if these individuals are mere shadows of true human beings. They "endanger one's soul" by dragging others into their unreal, superficial existence, threatening to strip away the essence of what it means to be truly alive.

The poem closes with a reflection on change: "There is change / In an air / That smells stale." The "stale" air represents a stagnation, a sense that while change may occur, it is not necessarily positive or refreshing—it is merely the continuation of an already decaying state. The mention of "the end / Of an era" indicates that this way of life, this unreal existence, is nearing its conclusion. Yet, it is not a moment of triumph or renewal, but one of decline.

Oppen's final lines—"First of all peoples / And one may honorably keep / His distance / If he can"—offer a somber reflection on the possibility of retaining one's integrity in such an environment. To "keep his distance" is presented as an honorable act, suggesting that disengagement or withdrawal might be the only way to preserve one's soul in a world where life has become unreal and devoid of meaning. The idea that this is a challenge—"if he can"—acknowledges the difficulty of resisting the pervasive influence of the city's superficial and hollow culture.

In "Language of New York (2)," Oppen critiques the way in which modern urban life has led to a profound sense of alienation and a loss of meaning. The poem portrays a world where people are reduced to passive consumers, where genuine communication is replaced by empty argument, and where the richness of life is lost in favor of hollow pursuits. Through his precise and evocative language, Oppen invites readers to reflect on the consequences of living in such a world and the challenge of maintaining one's humanity in the face of it.

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