Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Parable of Flight" is a poem by Louise Glück that explores the themes of freedom, choice, and consequences. The poem is a metaphorical representation of the human desire to escape from limitations and the price one has to pay for it. It was first published in "Ararat" in 1990.

Explanation:

The poem "Parable of Flight" is written in free verse with no set rhyme scheme or meter. It consists of eight stanzas of varying lengths, with the longest being six lines and the shortest being only one line. The poem is a metaphor for the human desire for freedom, and the cost of achieving that freedom.

In the first stanza, the speaker introduces the metaphor of a bird that tries to fly higher and higher to escape the limitations of its environment. The bird succeeds in breaking free from the earth, but as it climbs higher, it faces new challenges and struggles to stay alive.

The second stanza further emphasizes the desire for freedom, but also the fear and uncertainty that come with it. The speaker describes how the bird looks down on the earth and wonders if it can ever return to the safety and comfort of the ground.

In the third stanza, the speaker introduces the idea that the bird's escape is a parable for human desire. The bird represents the human desire for freedom, and the consequences that come with it. The speaker suggests that humans are also trapped by their environment and seek to escape it.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker suggests that the cost of freedom is often the loss of security and comfort. The bird must leave behind its familiar surroundings and face the unknown. Similarly, humans must leave behind their old lives to pursue their desires.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker introduces the idea that the bird's flight is not just a symbol of freedom, but also of power. The bird has the power to transcend its limitations and reach new heights. Similarly, humans have the power to change their lives and achieve their dreams.

In the sixth stanza, the speaker introduces the idea that the bird's flight is also a symbol of sacrifice. The bird must sacrifice its old life to achieve its new one. Similarly, humans must often sacrifice something in order to achieve their goals.

In the seventh stanza, the speaker suggests that the bird's flight is also a symbol of death. The bird must leave behind its old life and face the unknown, and there is no guarantee that it will survive. Similarly, humans must face the possibility of failure and death in order to achieve their desires.

In the final stanza, the speaker suggests that the bird's flight is ultimately a parable for the human condition. Humans are trapped by their environment and seek to escape it, but the cost of freedom is often high. The speaker suggests that the human desire for freedom is ultimately futile, as humans are always bound by something.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Parable of Flight" by Louise Glück is written in free verse, with no specific meter or rhyme scheme. The poem is composed of a single stanza, divided into ten lines
• Metaphor: The bird's flight is a metaphor for the human desire for freedom.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery of the bird's flight and the challenges it faces.
• Repetition: The phrase "higher and higher" is repeated throughout the poem to emphasize the bird's ascent.
• Enjambment: The lines in the poem often flow into each other, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity.

Conclusion:

"Parable of Flight" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for freedom and the cost of achieving it. The poem uses the metaphor of a bird's flight to illustrate the challenges and sacrifices that come with pursuing one's desires. The poem's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and enjambment creates a sense of fluidity and continuity that emphasizes the continuity of the human condition.

Poem Snippet:

“But even the tiniest bird has something to say

to us, a lesson, perhaps, about joy,

perhaps, too, a lesson about

the dangers we must overcome to stay alive.”

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