Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Robert Pinsky's poem "Essay on Psychiatrists: 6. Their Seriousness, With Further Comparisons," the question of what it means to be 'serious' becomes a central focus as the poet examines the different shades of gravitas attached to various professions, ultimately focusing on psychiatrists. At first glance, the form of the poem may appear straightforward-there is a consistent use of free verse. However, upon closer inspection, the way the lines are broken, the pauses inserted, and the continuation of thoughts from one line to the next, all serve to reflect the complex theme of seriousness that Pinsky explores.

The poem contrasts the seriousness of psychiatrists with other professionals like pilots, radiologists, and master mechanics, stating that psychiatrists are "serious-useful, deeply helpful, / Concerned-only in the way that the pilots of huge / Planes" can be. This is a type of seriousness that is pragmatic, focused on the task at hand. It is not tied to a larger sense of existential weight or individual passion that might be found in painters, businessmen, scholars, or surgeons. These lines imply that for psychiatrists, their 'seriousness' is functional and methodical, essential for the job but not necessarily a defining aspect of their beings.

This notion of functional seriousness is then problematized with the lines, "Who would want to fly with a pilot who was serious / About getting to the destination safely?" This rhetorical question shifts the ground beneath the reader's feet. Too much seriousness, it suggests, could be as problematic as too little; the ideal lies in a golden mean where the role is performed competently but not obsessively.

The poem wraps up with an ironic twist: the pilots themselves might need to consult psychiatrists to ensure they maintain this balanced seriousness. This circular logic emphasizes the delicate equilibrium required in professions that deal directly with human well-being and subtly questions the limitations of a psychiatrist's own seriousness. Can someone be too serious about understanding the human mind? If so, would they not, in turn, require another layer of psychiatric evaluation? The form of the poem captures this intricacy by delivering complex concepts in a straightforward manner but leaving room for lingering questions.

In summary, Robert Pinsky's poem is more than an examination of professions; it is an exploration of the many facets of seriousness-functional, existential, passionate-and how these interact and conflict in different roles. The form serves to draw the reader in, keeping them engaged but slightly off-balance, much like the subject matter itself. Through this intricate melding of form and content, Pinsky leaves the reader pondering the complexities of what it really means to take something-or someone-seriously.

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