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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "Then I Saw What the Calling Was" explores the themes of identity, self-realization, and the journey of understanding one's place in the world. The poem begins with an evocative scenario where the voices of the wood call out "Muriel!"—a moment that initially seems to hold great personal significance but soon reveals itself as a more universal calling. The initial confusion, “it was nothing, it was not for me,” sets the tone of self-doubt and questioning that many people experience when trying to understand their purpose. The words "Mortal and More and Endure" alongside sounds like "Real, a sound like Health or Hell" reflect the broad and often ambiguous nature of existential questions and the human condition. These terms suggest a spectrum of human experience, from the mundane to the profound, encapsulating life's trials and its ultimate reality. Rukeyser’s realization that "it was the road I traveled" signifies a turning point in the poem. The "clear time and these colors of orchards, gold behind gold and the full shadow behind each tree and behind each slope" paint a vivid picture of a journey filled with beauty and complexity. The golden orchards and shadows suggest both the richness and the challenges of the path she walks. This imagery highlights the fullness of the journey, suggesting that the calling is not a single moment but the entire experience of life itself. The repetition of "Not to me, not to me, not to me" underlines the universal nature of this calling. It emphasizes that the journey and the experiences it brings are not uniquely tailored to the speaker but are common to all who travel the path. This universality brings a sense of humility and shared human experience. Rukeyser’s assertion, "I came into my clear being; uncalled, alive, and sure," marks a moment of self-acceptance and understanding. This line signifies that true clarity and purpose are found not in seeking external validation or specific callings but in embracing one's journey and experiences. The feeling of being "uncalled" yet "alive, and sure" suggests a profound inner peace and self-assurance that comes from within rather than from external affirmations. The poem concludes with the powerful imagery of arrival at a "powerful green hill." This final destination symbolizes growth, renewal, and a sense of achievement. The green hill, often a symbol of fertility and life, suggests that the journey has led to a place of vitality and strength. The word "powerful" underscores the significance of this culmination, indicating that the speaker has reached a place of profound realization and empowerment. In "Then I Saw What the Calling Was," Rukeyser masterfully blends rich imagery with introspective thought to explore the themes of self-discovery and the human experience. The poem suggests that true understanding and purpose come from embracing one’s journey, recognizing the universal nature of life's challenges and triumphs, and finding peace and strength within oneself.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW WE DID IT by MURIEL RUKEYSER THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: ALLOY by MURIEL RUKEYSER TO W.P.: 3 by GEORGE SANTAYANA STANZAS IN MEMORY OF THE AUTHOR OF OBERMANN by MATTHEW ARNOLD FAREWELL TO HIS WIFE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON IN THE CHURCHYARD AT CAMBRIDGE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE WHITE HOUSE by CLAUDE MCKAY APOLOGIA PRO POEMATE MEO by WILFRED OWEN THE IDEA by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON |
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