Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Gods Are Not Large" by Jane Hirshfield delves into the enigmatic realm of the human heart and the inexplicable nature of emotions, comparing them to gods that live "outside us." The poem offers a nuanced perspective on emotions, illustrating them as subjective experiences that differ from person to person, essentially emphasizing that perhaps the heart does not want or need to be universally understood.

The poem begins with a contemplative tone, suggesting that perhaps the "heart does not want to be understood." This resonates deeply with the idea that emotions are personal experiences, ones that may never fully be comprehended by others. Hirshfield uses the imagery of a pond to symbolize the heart, a serene but dynamic environment where one's emotions or "small fish" reside. When your shadow-or perhaps your attempt to understand-falls upon this pond, the fish "hurry away." This could mean that the act of dissecting one's feelings might actually be counterproductive; sometimes emotions just are, without needing explanation or justification.

Hirshfield's employment of free verse allows for a natural, flowing narrative, mimicking the unstructured and unpredictable nature of human emotions. The style aligns with the content, making the form of the poem relevant to its thematic concerns. There's also a subtle shift in perspective-from "you" trying to understand the emotions to the emotions (fish) themselves-which adds a layer of complexity. According to the narrator, while humans might label their feelings as "anger," "bewilderment," or "grief," the emotions themselves do not carry these labels; to them, it's "simply life."

Perhaps the most striking part of the poem is its concluding lines, comparing the gods to these small fish. The "gods are not large outside us," Hirshfield writes, "They are the fish going on with their own concerns." The comparison equates human emotions to deities, entities often considered almighty and incomprehensible. It's a fascinating paradox: gods are often imagined to be grand and larger-than-life, but here, they are "not large," simple yet elusive, much like our emotions.

The poem suggests that emotions are omnipotent in governing human behavior, yet they don't need to be dissected or magnified to understand their power. Like gods, they are mysterious and carry out their roles naturally. The realization that emotions have "their own lives which they love" offers a liberating perspective. It encourages acceptance and respect for emotions as they are-neither good nor bad, but powerful elements of the human experience that simply exist in their own right.

In sum, "Gods Are Not Large" by Jane Hirshfield is a meditative exploration of the intricate tapestry of human emotions. It posits that maybe, in the grand scheme of things, we are not meant to unravel every thread but to appreciate the richness of its weave.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...