Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Adrienne Rich’s poem "View of the Terrace" captures a scene of observation and detachment, exploring themes of social exclusion, the passage of time, and the futility of attempting to disrupt established structures. Through the lens of two observers watching from a distance, Rich delves into the contrast between surface appearances and deeper emotional realities.

The poem begins with a serene yet distant image: "Under the green umbrellas / Drinking golden tea, / There sit the porcelain people / Who care for you but little / And not at all for me." The green umbrellas and golden tea create a picture of leisure and refinement, while the "porcelain people" evoke a sense of fragility and artificiality. These people are depicted as emotionally detached, their indifference underscored by the speaker's recognition that they care little for one observer and not at all for the other.

Rich then shifts to describe the setting and the observers' position: "The afternoon in crinkles / Lies stiffly on the lawn / And we, two furtive exiles, / Watch from an upper window / With shutters not quite drawn." The "crinkles" of the afternoon suggest a static, unchanging scene, emphasizing a sense of time frozen in a moment of idle leisure. The observers, described as "furtive exiles," are positioned away from the social scene, watching covertly from behind partially drawn shutters. This creates a sense of separation and alienation, as they are physically and emotionally distanced from the people below.

The poem continues with a reflection on the nature of the laughter and social interaction observed: "The gilt and scalloped laughter / Reaches us through a glaze, / And almost we imagine / That if we threw a pebble / The shining scene would craze." The laughter, described as "gilt and scalloped," suggests a superficial and decorative quality, lacking genuine warmth or depth. The idea of throwing a pebble to "craze" the scene implies a desire to disrupt the superficial harmony and expose the underlying fragility. However, this impulse is tempered by the recognition of its futility.

The final stanza addresses the wisdom gained from experience: "But stones are thrown by children, / And we by now too wise / To try again to splinter / The bright enamel people / Impervious to surprise." Here, the act of throwing stones is associated with the innocence and impulsiveness of childhood. The observers, now "too wise," understand that attempting to disrupt the scene would be pointless, as the "bright enamel people" are impervious to surprise or change. This highlights a sense of resignation and acceptance of the social barriers that exist, as well as the emotional distance that cannot be bridged.

"View of the Terrace" by Adrienne Rich captures the essence of social detachment and the longing for genuine connection. Through the imagery of porcelain people and the observers' covert position, the poem explores the complexities of social exclusion and the recognition of the futility in trying to disrupt established, superficial structures. Rich's work underscores the contrast between appearances and emotional realities, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences of inclusion and exclusion.

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