Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Speech Is Designed to Persuade" by Mary Jo Bang is a multifaceted poem that explores themes of communication, desire, estrangement, and the search for understanding through a series of interconnected vignettes. The poem oscillates between intimate moments of near connection and the broader philosophical inquiries into the nature of knowledge, perception, and the constructs that define our reality.

I. The opening section sets a tone of closeness thwarted by "Dunderheaded hindrances," suggesting obstacles to intimacy and understanding. The speaker's actions in the absence of the other—"I have taken up bad habits / in your absence"—reflect attempts to cope with separation. The imagery of dressing "in feathers fit for flight" and becoming flight itself, without succumbing to Icarus's fate, symbolizes a striving for transcendence or escape from the limitations of their situation. The mathematical metaphor "A fraction / of four is only saying a small thing oddly" suggests the inadequacy of language or traditional means of expression to fully capture or convey experience.

II. This section delves into the arbitrariness of symbols and the human tendency to assign meaning to the natural world—"Fine then, they said, let the tree be Knowledge. Let the leaf / be Nature." The naming of the dog "Pupper" and the fixation on a clock's "inconsistent clatter" further illustrate the human desire to impose order and understanding on the chaos of existence. The act of showering with "only a cup / of water" and the contemplation of "bliss’s peculiarity" evoke a sense of frugality and the pursuit of pleasure within the confines of self-imposed limitations. The concluding lines question the value of numerical or logical systems in capturing the essence of human experience.

III. The third section discusses the process of decoding and making sense of "the text," likely a metaphor for understanding life or the self. The strategies of "frequent division, / occasional subtraction" and the system of substitution with numbers represent attempts to navigate and articulate the complexities of relationships and emotions. The mention of "a sexual innuendo of sorts" and the acknowledgment that "Distance was not kind" hint at the challenges of maintaining connection and the pain of separation. The blanket thrown "over the bed but only because it was very, very cold" underscores the practical, often unromantic, aspects of companionship and survival.

IV. The final section returns to the theme of closeness, with the speaker inviting the other to "come closer," yet acknowledging the limitations of their interaction—"He allowed her / so little." The dream of living in a laundry "where everything came clean" symbolizes a longing for purity, clarity, and perhaps redemption. The assertion "She was all / she was going to mean" speaks to a resignation or acceptance of one's identity and fate. The closing lines emphasize the power and purpose of speech as a tool for connection and persuasion, while acknowledging the persistent presence of fragmentation and the ongoing struggle to make oneself heard and understood.

"Speech Is Designed to Persuade" is a richly layered poem that invites readers to reflect on the ways we communicate, connect, and find meaning in a world filled with both beauty and barriers. Mary Jo Bang's nuanced exploration of language, symbolism, and the human condition offers a poignant meditation on the power of speech and the enduring quest for intimacy and understanding.

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