Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Pity This Poor Animal" by Lucille Clifton is a profound and cutting commentary on the constructs of race, the illusions of superiority, and the primal fear that underlies racism. Through the extended metaphor of "this poor animal," Clifton delves into the psychological and cultural mechanisms that have perpetuated racial prejudices and divisions, particularly those that elevate white European heritage while demonizing and othering Blackness and African heritage. The poem subverts traditional narratives of civilization and savagery by inverting the gaze, positioning the historically marginalized and demonized as the figure of true humanity and freedom.

The poem begins by evoking pity for an entity that has "never gone beyond / the ape herds gathered around the fires / of Europe," immediately challenging the Eurocentric perspective that often frames European civilization as the pinnacle of human development. By depicting this entity as unable to move beyond primitive, fire-dependent gatherings, Clifton critiques the limited worldview and the self-imposed confines of a culture that prides itself on enlightenment and progress.

The description of individuals huddling "in straight haired grunt clusters / to keep warm" further emphasizes the theme of primitiveness cloaked in the guise of superiority. This imagery suggests a deep-rooted fear and insecurity that compels these individuals to cluster together, not out of community or warmth, but out of a necessity to affirm their own identity in opposition to the 'Other.'

Clifton then explores the fear that arises when this entity is forced to leave the comfort of "western dirt places / or imitation sun places." The mention of "imitation sun places" is particularly poignant, suggesting environments that mimic warmth and light but are ultimately artificial and devoid of true vitality. This creature's instinctual retreat to a cave upon encountering adversity speaks to a fundamental fear of exposure, of being revealed as lesser or vulnerable outside the familiar constructs of power and dominance.

The creature's fear is not just of the physical elements—"the dark," "the cold"—but of being alone, which symbolizes a deeper existential dread. This fear is magnified by the specter of "the legendary man creature / who is black / and walks on grass / and has no need for fire." This figure, embodying independence, connection with nature, and a freedom from the primal fears that plague the "poor animal," stands as a stark contrast to the European-derived fear of otherness and the reliance on artificial constructs of civilization.

By concluding with this image of the Black man as a being who is in harmony with nature and unencumbered by the need for fire—a symbol of both literal and metaphorical enlightenment—Clifton not only challenges racist stereotypes but also elevates the figure of the Black man to a position of true humanity and resilience. The poem thus serves as a powerful critique of the dehumanization inherent in racism, highlighting the irony that those who have historically been depicted as closer to nature or "savage" are, in Clifton's rendering, the ones who embody true human dignity and freedom.

"Pity This Poor Animal" is a masterful inversion of racist narratives, employing sharp irony and profound empathy to expose the baselessness and fear underlying such perspectives. Clifton's work remains a poignant reminder of the enduring strength and humanity of those who have been marginalized, and a call to recognize and confront the primitive fears that continue to divide us.

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