Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Under Taurus" by Louise Gluck, the poem presents a poignant moment where the speaker stands on a pier with an unspecified "you," presumably a person of emotional importance. The scene is set at night, under a sky full of stars, specifically under the constellation Taurus, which houses the Pleiades, a cluster of seven stars often mentioned in poetry and mythology. While this celestial grouping holds fascination for the companion, the speaker struggles to see it, saying, "I could see / everything but what you wished." This line speaks volumes about the emotional and perceptual distances that can exist even in close relationships.

The speaker's inability to see "what you wished" may suggest a certain level of emotional discord or a disconnect. While they can perceive the celestial bodies in the sky, they cannot focus on the exact points that the other person holds dear. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for how two people in a relationship may view the same world but attach importance to different aspects of it, revealing gaps in understanding or emotional resonance.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's tone changes from one of frustration or resignation to one of willingness and openness: "Now I will follow. There is not a single cloud; the stars / appear, even the invisible sister. Show me where to look, / as though they will stay where they are." The speaker is ready to see things from the other's perspective and asks for guidance, which is a significant shift. This transformation may symbolize a deeper understanding or a readiness to make the emotional or intellectual leap necessary to close the gap between them. The celestial imagery also gains in clarity, symbolizing this newfound clarity in their relationship. Even the "invisible sister"-presumably one of the Pleiades, often less visible to the naked eye-becomes apparent, mirroring the speaker's newfound understanding or visibility into the other's world.

The final line, "Instruct me in the dark," is telling and rich with interpretive possibilities. It could mean the speaker is asking to be guided through the darkness of misunderstanding or ignorance. But "dark" could also symbolize the complexities and challenges inherent in any relationship; the speaker is ready to be "instructed" through the challenging, unclear aspects of their connection.

Thus, "Under Taurus" provides a delicate, yet deep, examination of relational dynamics. It uses the lens of celestial bodies and the night sky to explore how individuals in close relationships can perceive the same reality in vastly different ways, yet also find ways to bridge those gaps of perception. It is a journey from misalignment to understanding, encapsulated in a brief yet potent moment under the night sky.

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