Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Southerner" is a poem by Karl Shapiro, first published in his collection "Poems of a Jew" in 1946. The poem reflects Shapiro's complex feelings about his Jewish identity and the South, where he spent a significant amount of time during his life.

Explanation:

The poem "Southerner" is a meditation on identity, place, and belonging. The speaker, who identifies as both Jewish and a Southerner, grapples with the tension between these two aspects of his identity. The poem begins with the speaker describing himself as a "brown Jew" who has "learned to love the South." However, he quickly acknowledges that his relationship with the South is complicated, as he is "neither black nor white, nor Christian." He feels like an outsider in this place he has come to love.

The speaker goes on to describe the contradictions he sees in the South. He notes that the "giant magnolias" are "tough as old boots," while the people who live there are "soft and polite." He also observes that while the South is known for its hospitality, it is also a place of violence and intolerance, where "lynchings are common." The speaker's ambivalence about the South is reflected in his description of it as a place of both "genteel manners" and "grossness."

The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that he will never fully understand the South or his place in it. He describes himself as a "rootless man," a "wanderer," and a "stranger." Despite his feelings of alienation, however, he continues to feel drawn to the South and its people.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory details, particularly in its descriptions of the South ("giant magnolias," "hot wet lands," "dark fruit," etc.).
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective. The speaker is grappling with his own identity and trying to make sense of his place in the world.
• Metaphor: The poem uses the South as a metaphor for the speaker's own sense of identity. The contradictions and complexities of the South reflect the speaker's own ambivalence about his Jewishness and his connection to the South.

Conclusion:

"Southerner" is a complex and nuanced poem that explores the tension between identity, place, and belonging. The speaker's ambivalence about the South reflects his own struggles with his Jewish identity and his place in the world. The poem's rich sensory details and introspective tone make it a powerful meditation on the complexities of identity and the ways in which place shapes us.

Poem Snippet:

"I am a rootless man,

I am a wanderer and a stranger

Here in the South where I have learned to love

hot wet lands, tough magnolias,

And the dark fruit that hangs in the trees."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...