Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Paul Muldoon's poem "As" is a sprawling, intricate exploration of change, transition, and the passage of time. The poem uses the repeated phrase "gives way" to depict a series of transformations, both historical and cultural, that signify the fluid and often cyclical nature of human experience. Through a cascade of references, from the historical to the mundane, Muldoon creates a tapestry of interconnected shifts that reflect the inevitable march of time and the shifting landscapes of culture, technology, and identity.

The structure of the poem is built on parallelism, with each stanza presenting a series of juxtapositions where one thing "gives way" to another. This repetition not only emphasizes the theme of change but also creates a rhythmic momentum that propels the reader through the various layers of meaning. Each "gives way" is a transition, a moment of succession, where the old is replaced by the new, the traditional by the modern, or the familiar by the unfamiliar.

In the first stanza, Muldoon sets the tone with references that move from the ancient ("oxhide gives way to chain mail") to the modern ("I Am Curious (Yellow) gives way to I Am Curious (Blue)"). The progression from medieval armor to 20th-century films exemplifies the broad scope of history and culture that the poem traverses. These transitions are not merely chronological but also suggest shifts in values, aesthetics, and social norms.

As the poem progresses, Muldoon touches on a wide array of subjects, from historical figures and events ("Cromwell Road gives way to the Connaught") to pop culture and consumer goods ("Calvin gives way to Calvin Klein"). The transitions often carry a sense of irony or playfulness, as when "Balaam's Ass gives way to Mister Ed," blending the biblical with the banal, or "Songs of Innocence gives way to The Prophet," suggesting a shift from romantic idealism to a more prophetic or spiritual stance.

Throughout the poem, there is a persistent sense of decline or loss, as traditional or authentic forms give way to their more commercialized or superficial counterparts. For instance, "Wordsworth gives way to 'Woodbine Willie,'" and "Saturday Night Fever gives way to Grease" evoke a sense of cultural dilution or commercialization. This theme is encapsulated in the line "is symptomatic of a more general decline," which explicitly acknowledges the poem's preoccupation with the idea that modernity often involves a loss of substance or quality.

However, this decline is not presented as purely negative. Muldoon's tone is often playful and wry, suggesting that these changes are inevitable and part of the natural order of things. The poem acknowledges the fluidity of culture and the way each generation redefines what is important, meaningful, or valuable.

In the final stanza, the shift from "Monet gives way to Juan Gris" and "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gives way to Miramax" captures the evolution of art and cinema, moving from the impressionistic to the modern, from the classical studio system to independent filmmaking. The progression from "nine gives way, as ever, to zero" is particularly striking, suggesting the cyclical nature of history, where even the most significant advancements eventually return to a state of nothingness or reset, echoing the poem's broader themes of transformation and renewal.

The recurring refrain "I give way to you" at the end of each stanza serves as a personal coda to the broader cultural transitions described throughout the poem. It suggests a surrender or acceptance of these changes, whether they be personal, cultural, or historical. This phrase can be interpreted as a gesture of humility, acknowledging the speaker's place within this ongoing process of change, and perhaps also as an expression of love or devotion, where the individual yields to the beloved, to time, or to the forces of history.

In "As," Muldoon crafts a richly layered meditation on the nature of change, blending historical and contemporary references in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply resonant. The poem invites readers to consider how they, too, are part of this continuum, constantly giving way to new experiences, ideas, and identities in an ever-evolving world.

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