Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ancestral" is a poem by American poet Norman Dubie, first published in 2002 in his poetry collection titled "The Mercy Seat." Dubie is known for his exploration of personal and political history in his poetry. "Ancestral" is a reflective and emotional poem that delves into the speaker's ancestral past and the effects of this history on the present.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his ancestral past, stating that he comes from a long line of men who were cruel to animals. The speaker expresses feelings of guilt and shame about this history, and how it has impacted his own life. He also reflects on how his ancestors' cruelty to animals is connected to larger societal issues such as slavery and war.

The poem then shifts to a more personal tone as the speaker recalls a childhood memory of his grandfather taking him hunting. The speaker remembers feeling conflicted about the experience, enjoying the thrill of the hunt but also feeling empathy for the animals being killed.

In the final stanza, the speaker returns to the present and reflects on the impact of this ancestral history on his life. He states that he has been marked by his ancestors' cruelty to animals and feels a deep sense of sadness and shame. The poem ends with the speaker questioning whether he can ever truly escape the weight of his family's history.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery, particularly in describing the speaker's childhood hunting experience and the impact of his ancestral history on his present life.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and emotional, with the speaker expressing feelings of guilt, shame, and sadness.
• Symbolism: The animals killed in the hunting scene serve as symbols for the larger issue of cruelty and violence perpetuated by the speaker's ancestors.

Conclusion:

"Ancestral" is a powerful and introspective poem that delves into the complexities of personal and ancestral history. Dubie uses vivid imagery and a reflective tone to explore the impact of his family's past on his present life, and the weight of guilt and shame that comes with it. The poem ultimately raises questions about the possibility of escaping the weight of ancestral history and whether individuals can break free from the patterns of their past.

Poem Snippet:

"My grandfather gave me a .22, a sharpshooter scope

that covered my eye. It was the day of the

ancestral hunting trip, we loaded the dogs

and shotguns and drove to the leases

near the Canadian border."