Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Hirshfield's poem "Mathematics" is a contemplative exploration of utility, creativity, and the existential question of purpose. The poem is intriguing for its examination of what is considered useful or valuable in life and how the act of creation-be it a physical object like a chair or a metaphysical one like a poem-interacts with these notions.

The poem opens with the speaker expressing envy for those who create tangible, useful things-"a chair, a pair of boots. / Even a soup." There is an underlying notion of something being quantifiable and concrete, a product that serves a straightforward purpose. The narrative then shifts to the speaker's reflection in a mirror, contemplating the possibility of acquiring such skills. The mirror "lacks conviction," highlighting the speaker's ambivalence toward her own potential to adapt to what she sees as 'useful.'

The mention of the "borrowed apartment" with its meticulously matching wallpaper serves as a metaphor for preconceived notions of utility and purpose. Like the wallpaper that fits its pattern, societal ideas about usefulness often follow a preset design, leaving little room for outliers.

The poet then describes an architecturally intriguing building "shaped like the overturned hull of a ship," invoking themes of illusion and perception. The descriptions of rawhide, marble, and wood serve as symbols for appearance versus reality. The lines "Though possibly it was the other way around?" encapsulate this dichotomy, posing questions about authenticity and value.

When the speaker examines her "unhandy hand," we delve into the core of the poem's existential questioning. The speaker considers her inability to create in a traditional, 'useful' manner, yet points out that even a seemingly simple object like a pen is "a mystery, really." This line makes room for reconsidering what utility means, suggesting that the complexities and mysteries of life can also be found in what society often considers simple or straightforward.

The poem closes with a conversation between the speaker and a woman, who turns out to be a reflection of her "younger self." The woman's question-"Does a poem enlarge the world, or only our idea of the world?"-complicates the entire narrative, offering a critique on the very art of poetry. The speaker's response, a non-answer of "I lied, or did not lie," encapsulates the poem's ambivalence towards resolving its own questions. It leaves the reader pondering the nature of creativity, usefulness, and the complex interplay between perception and reality.

Overall, "Mathematics" engages with the intricate question of what it means to create and how that creation interacts with individual and societal notions of usefulness and value. Hirshfield crafts an eloquent and compelling narrative that challenges conventional beliefs, inviting us to ponder the immeasurable utilities of art, imagination, and the complexities inherent in even the most 'simple' creations.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...