Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Two Predators," John Hollander juxtaposes two distinct types of predatory behavior, exploring the psychological and moral complexities of each. The poem is divided into two sections, each focusing on a different predator, highlighting their self-perceptions and the ways they interact with their prey.

The first section presents a predator who is unreflective and unapologetic. "He will acknowledge no fault in himself," Hollander writes, immediately establishing a character devoid of self-criticism or moral scruples. This predator moves through his environment, seeing others merely as "part of the scenery" or as prey. He is incapable of understanding why he should scrutinize his actions or consider their impact on others. The beings he hunts are described as experiencing a "terror, chilling, of / Sudden recognition but all too late," indicating that their awareness of danger comes only at the moment of their demise.

Hollander delves into the nature of the prey, noting that their ability to perceive and acknowledge their faults—a trait seen as a virtue by "those who talk like that"—is, in fact, a crippling weakness in the eyes of the predator. This self-awareness, described as a "sick blossom of weak roots," is a sign of their destined fate as his lunch. The predator's awareness of this common trait in his prey does not lead him to self-reflection; instead, it reinforces his superiority and predatory nature. The only potential weakness he acknowledges is his recognition of this phenomenon, which he dismisses as insignificant.

The second section shifts focus to a different kind of predator, a female who believes herself to be non-predatory. Unlike the first predator, she is introspective and aware of her lapses and insensitivities. "The tiny bits / That I graze on are not moved by what gives / You and me our life, motion and being," she rationalizes, distancing herself from the predatory nature attributed to the first predator. She sees herself as benign, her actions driven by a desire for self-improvement and understanding.

However, despite her self-perception, she remains a predator. Hollander describes her as "one of those who, indeed, 'talk like that,'" indicating that her introspection and moral considerations do not exempt her from causing harm. As she engages in her "ruminative and benign grazing," she remains unaware of the terror she inspires in the "tiny... whatever they are" that constitute her prey. Her oncoming presence, whether swimming, flying, or striding, strikes fear into these smaller beings, just as the first predator does.

The poem concludes by highlighting the parallel between the two predators. Despite their differences in self-perception and approach, both induce fear and ultimately consume their prey. The first predator is unreflective and unapologetic, while the second predator is introspective and seeks to minimize harm. However, both are driven by their nature, and their prey suffer the consequences of their predatory behaviors.

In "Two Predators," John Hollander masterfully explores the complexities of predatory behavior and self-perception. Through vivid imagery and contrasting character studies, the poem delves into the moral and psychological dimensions of predation, highlighting the inherent tension between self-awareness and instinctual behavior. The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of predation, both in the animal kingdom and in human interactions, and the often blurry line between innocence and culpability.

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