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THE PLATE, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Anthony Hecht's "The Plate" is a contemplative poem that delves into the themes of mortality, identity, and the intrinsic value of human life beyond its physical form. The poem employs vivid imagery and metaphor to explore how the essence of a person remains even as the physical body deteriorates.

The poem begins with a stark declaration: "Now he has silver in him." This immediately sets a tone of permanence and value, as silver is a precious metal often associated with durability and worth. The "silver" metaphorically suggests something valuable within the person that endures, even as the physical body undergoes inevitable decay.

Hecht then introduces the concept of death as a process that "boil[s] down unnecessary fat / To reach the nub of our identity." This imagery conveys the idea that death strips away the superficial aspects of our existence, leaving behind the core of who we are. The use of "boil down" evokes a sense of purification and distillation, suggesting that death reveals the essential truth of our being.

The poem continues with a reflection on the macabre reality of what happens after death: "When in the run of crime / The skull is rifled for the gold in teeth, / And chemistry has eaten from the spine / Superfluous life and vigor." Here, Hecht presents a grim picture of the body's physical reduction to its basic elements, emphasizing the stark contrast between the body's material components and the enduring value of the person.

Despite this reduction, Hecht suggests that there is still "a richness to be wondered at," found in the "silver" within the person. This "richness" represents the lasting essence or identity that remains valuable and significant, even in death. The "mine / Whose claim and stake are stone and floral wreath" metaphorically depicts the person as a treasure trove, marked by memorials and graves, yet holding something precious within.

The second stanza shifts focus to the process of burning, a common metaphor for transformation and purification: "The body burns away, and burning gives / Light to the eye and moisture to the lip / And warmth to our desires." This imagery illustrates how the body's destruction through burning paradoxically gives life to the very elements that define our human experience—sight, speech, and desire.

Hecht underscores the universality of this transformation: "whatever body lives / Into extinction." This line suggests that all living bodies, regardless of their differences, ultimately share the same fate of burning away. The "plate / Of armor in it" metaphor further emphasizes the internal fortitude or essence that remains protected and valuable even amidst destruction.

The poem concludes with a reflection on fear and survival: "therefore do we thrive / In fear of fire, in terror of the ship / That carries us to fire." This fear is a natural human response to the inevitability of death and the unknown journey beyond life. Yet, Hecht notes that "A soldier learns / To bear the silver weight / Where in his head the fire is most alive." This suggests that through courage and resilience, individuals can come to terms with their mortality, recognizing the enduring value within themselves—the "silver" that remains untarnished by the fires of destruction.

"The Plate" by Anthony Hecht is a powerful meditation on the enduring essence of human identity amidst the physical decay and transformation brought by death. Through rich metaphors and vivid imagery, Hecht invites readers to reflect on the intrinsic value that persists beyond the material aspects of existence, ultimately celebrating the resilience and enduring nature of the human spirit.


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