Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s "Surrounded" delves into themes of paranoia, pursuit, and the overwhelming presence of dark forces in a cityscape. Through stark imagery and a sense of relentless pressure, the poem explores the psychological impact of feeling encircled by unseen threats, reflecting broader concerns about societal and existential dangers.

The poem opens with an immediate sense of escape and pursuit: "They escape before, but their shadows walk behind, / filling the city with formidable dark." The use of "shadows" conveys an ominous and pervasive threat, suggesting that even in moments of temporary safety, a foreboding presence lingers. This dark imagery sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing a constant state of vigilance and fear.

The next lines, "spilling black over the sun’s run gold, speeding a rumor / of warfare and the sciences of death, and work / of treason and exposure," juxtapose light and dark to highlight the invasion of peace and clarity by elements of conflict and treachery. The "sun’s run gold" represents purity and hope, which are marred by the encroaching "black" of destructive forces. The mention of "warfare and the sciences of death" points to a world where technology and progress are intertwined with destruction and betrayal.

Rukeyser personalizes this pervasive menace by positioning the speaker as a target: "following / me for an easy mark." This line underscores the vulnerability and isolation felt by the individual in the face of these overwhelming threats. The personal pronoun "me" anchors the reader in the speaker’s experience, making the sense of pursuit more immediate and relatable.

The poem then transitions to a vivid portrayal of a city under siege: "The sky is travelled by brightness, clouds ignite, / flame is incised upon the martyred air; / the city dissolves in foaming craters, stars / falling in multitudes dazzle the sky with fire." The imagery here is apocalyptic, depicting a landscape consumed by chaos and destruction. The "martyred air" suggests a sense of sacrificial suffering, while the "foaming craters" and "falling stars" paint a picture of a world in turmoil, where even the heavens are ablaze with conflict.

Amidst this chaos, the speaker remains in a dual state of pursuit and being pursued: "and I pursue them, I am pursued, and / they are everywhere." This line reinforces the inescapability of the threat, creating a sense of claustrophobia and endless chase. The repetition of "pursue" and "pursued" highlights the relentless cycle of fear and danger.

As the poem nears its conclusion, the brightness fades: "Now there is no more brightness, and no shadow / but the shadow of a thought." This shift from physical to psychological darkness signifies a deepening of the speaker’s entrapment. The "shadow of a thought" suggests that the menace has penetrated the speaker’s mind, blurring the lines between external and internal threats.

The final lines, "and I’m in jail enough / to know conviction with prisoner certainty, / haunted by protest, lacking completion’s proof / surrounded by shadows / more plausible than love," encapsulate the profound sense of entrapment and despair. The phrase "in jail enough" implies a mental and emotional imprisonment, where the speaker is confined by their own convictions and the relentless presence of threats. The mention of being "haunted by protest" suggests an unfulfilled struggle against these forces, and the "lacking completion’s proof" indicates a lingering uncertainty and lack of resolution.

The poem ends on a poignant note, with the speaker "surrounded by shadows / more plausible than love." This comparison between shadows and love emphasizes the overpowering nature of fear and doubt, overshadowing the potential for positive, life-affirming emotions. The shadows, representing all that is dark and threatening, become more believable and dominant than the concept of love, highlighting the pervasive impact of the surrounding menace.

"Surrounded" by Muriel Rukeyser masterfully captures the psychological and emotional turmoil of living under constant threat. Through its evocative imagery and poignant reflections, the poem conveys a powerful sense of vulnerability, isolation, and the relentless pursuit of an elusive peace amidst a world rife with conflict and treachery.

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