Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Of Being Numerous: 4," George Oppen continues his exploration of the urban experience, focusing on the dynamic and evolving nature of city life and the people who inhabit it. This section of the poem delves into the theme of renewal, the passage of time, and the inadequacy of superficial structures and attitudes in addressing the deeper realities of existence.

The poem begins with the observation: "For the people of that flow / Are new, the old." This line acknowledges the constant renewal and change within the urban environment, where both the old and the new are continually redefined. The "people of that flow" refers to the ever-shifting population of the city, where each individual, regardless of age, is part of a larger, dynamic movement. The idea that "the old" are "new" suggests that even those who have been part of the city for a long time are continually adapting and experiencing life anew, just as the young are encountering their own stages of growth.

Oppen continues with the lines: "New to age as the young / To youth." Here, he emphasizes the universality of change and the way in which every stage of life brings new experiences and challenges. The old are "new to age," just as the young are "new to youth," indicating that each phase of life is a fresh encounter, filled with its own unique discoveries and adjustments. This suggests that age, like youth, is not a static condition but a continual process of becoming.

The poem then shifts to the idea of dwelling: "And to their dwelling / For which the tarred roofs / And the stoops and doors—." Oppen introduces the concept of "dwelling," which can be understood both literally as a place to live and metaphorically as a state of being or existence. The "tarred roofs," "stoops," and "doors" are emblematic of the physical structures that make up the urban environment, particularly in a city like New York. These elements represent the common, everyday aspects of life in the city, the external features of the dwellings where people reside.

However, Oppen quickly undercuts the significance of these physical structures: "A world of stoops— / Are petty alibi and satirical wit / Will not serve." The phrase "a world of stoops" captures the ubiquity of these mundane elements in the urban landscape, but Oppen suggests that they are ultimately insufficient in addressing the deeper truths of life. The "petty alibi and satirical wit" refer to superficial explanations or defenses that people might use to justify or make light of their situations. Oppen dismisses these as inadequate, implying that they cannot truly serve to address the more profound aspects of existence, such as the passage of time, the challenges of aging, or the quest for meaning in a constantly changing world.

In "Of Being Numerous: 4," Oppen reflects on the fluidity of urban life and the ongoing process of renewal that characterizes both the city and its inhabitants. He explores the inadequacy of external structures and superficial attitudes in grappling with the deeper realities of life, suggesting that something more substantive is needed to navigate the complexities of existence. Through his concise and pointed language, Oppen invites readers to consider the ways in which they engage with the world around them and the extent to which they rely on or transcend the physical and social structures that define urban life. The poem challenges us to look beyond the surface and confront the more fundamental questions of what it means to live and grow in a world that is both familiar and perpetually new.

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