Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Unwanted," Edward Field reflects on themes of identity, rejection, and longing for recognition. The poem uses the imagery of a "wanted" poster to explore the speaker's feelings of being overlooked and unappreciated. Through dark humor and poignant self-deprecation, Field creates a portrait of an outsider yearning for acceptance and understanding.

The poem opens with a striking image: "The poster with my picture on it / Is hanging on the bulletin board in the Post Office." The speaker stands by the poster, hoping to be recognized, "posing first full face and then profile." However, "everybody passes by," and the speaker admits that "the photograph was taken some years ago."

The speaker reflects on his sense of rejection, stating, "I was unwanted then and I'm unwanted now." The line "Ah guess ah'll go up echo mountain and crah" adds a humorous touch, alluding to a dramatic display of self-pity.

The speaker wishes someone would find his "fingerprints somewhere / Maybe on a corpse and say, You're it." This dark desire for recognition reflects a longing to be noticed, even in a morbid context.

The poem shifts to a physical description of the speaker, which reads like a police report: "Male, or reasonably so / White, but not lily-white and usually deep-red / Thirty-fivish, and looks it lately / Five-feet-nine and one-hundred-thirty pounds: no physique." The description continues with unflattering details: "Black hair going gray, hairline receding fast / What used to be curly, now fuzzy."

The speaker's "brown eyes" are described as "starey under beetling brow," and he has a "Mole on chin, probably will become a wen." The self-deprecating humor underscores the speaker's low self-esteem.

The poem then offers a glimpse into the speaker's past, suggesting he "was not popular at school / No good at baseball, and wet his bed." This insight into childhood reveals a history of rejection and failure.

The speaker's aliases paint a picture of a life marred by insults and prejudice: "Dumbell, Good-for-nothing, / Jewboy, Fieldinsky, Skinny, Fierce Face, Greaseball, Sissy." These names reflect societal stereotypes and the speaker's struggle with his identity.

Despite this, the poem ends on a note of vulnerability and longing: "Warning: This man is not dangerous, answers to any name / Responds to love, don't call him or he will come." The speaker craves acceptance and is willing to answer to any name as long as he receives love in return.

Themes and Interpretation:

1. Identity and Rejection: The poem explores the theme of rejection through the metaphor of the "wanted" poster. The speaker reflects on his lifelong sense of being unwanted and overlooked.

2. Self-Deprecation and Humor: Field uses self-deprecating humor to highlight the speaker's low self-esteem and longing for recognition. The humor adds a poignant touch to the speaker's desire to be seen.

3. Longing and Vulnerability: Despite the humor, the poem reveals a deep vulnerability. The speaker craves love and acceptance and is willing to answer to any name to receive it.

4. Societal Stereotypes and Prejudice: The aliases listed in the poem reflect societal stereotypes and prejudice, highlighting the impact of labels on the speaker's sense of identity.

Structure and Tone:

The poem is written in free verse, which allows Field to adopt a conversational yet introspective tone. The language is straightforward but evocative, capturing the speaker's vulnerability and humor.

Conclusion:

"Unwanted" by Edward Field is a poignant exploration of identity, rejection, and longing for recognition. Through dark humor and self-deprecation, Field creates a portrait of an outsider struggling with societal stereotypes and a desire to be loved. The poem invites readers to reflect on the impact of labels and the universal need for acceptance and understanding.

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