Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jack Gilbert’s poem "Bartleby at the Wall" is a contemplative and introspective piece that explores themes of perception, persistence, and the elusive nature of understanding. Through a vivid and meticulous depiction of a rope hanging from a wall, Gilbert delves into the complexities of seeing and comprehending the world around us, as well as the internal struggle between clarity and confusion.

The poem begins with a straightforward description of the setting: "The wall / is the side of a building. / Maybe seventy-five feet high. / The rope is tied below the top / and hangs down thirty-five feet. / Just hangs down." This precise measurement and simple depiction establish a concrete image, grounding the reader in a specific physical reality. The rope, hanging above a "slum lot," introduces a sense of abandonment and decay, suggesting a long-neglected space that holds deeper significance.

Gilbert then shifts focus to the speaker's efforts to understand this scene: "I've been at this all month. / Trying to see the rope. / The wall." This line reveals the speaker’s dedication and frustration, emphasizing the difficulty of truly perceiving and understanding something so seemingly simple. The detailed observation of the bricks—"umber and soot / and the color of melts"—demonstrates the speaker's careful and persistent examination, yet also hints at the overwhelming complexity of even the most mundane objects.

The mention of Poussin, a classical painter known for his clear and orderly compositions, contrasts with the speaker's experience: "But it's like Poussin. / Too clear. / The way things aren't." This comparison underscores the tension between the desire for clarity and the often murky reality of perception. The speaker’s struggle lies in reconciling the idealized, structured vision of Poussin with the chaotic and elusive nature of their own observation.

The poem continues with the speaker's attempt to change their approach: "So I try not staring. / Not grabbing. / Allowing it to come." This shift from active to passive observation reflects a philosophical approach to understanding, suggesting that sometimes insight comes not from forceful scrutiny but from a more relaxed and receptive mindset. However, this method also proves challenging, as the speaker describes the moment of near-understanding: "But just at the point where I'd see / the mind gives a little skip / and I'm already past."

This "little skip" in the mind represents the fleeting and ephemeral nature of true comprehension. The speaker finds themselves "already past" the moment of potential clarity, falling back into "all this sorrow again." This return to sorrow highlights the frustration and cyclical nature of the pursuit of understanding, where brief glimpses of insight are often followed by a return to confusion and emotional turmoil.

The poem concludes with a profound reflection on the nature of existence: "Considering / the skip between wildness and affection where everything is." This line captures the essence of the speaker's struggle, suggesting that true understanding lies in the delicate balance between chaos ("wildness") and connection ("affection"). The "skip" symbolizes the fleeting moments of clarity and insight that occur in this in-between space, where the complexities of life are both acknowledged and embraced.

"Bartleby at the Wall" by Jack Gilbert is a deeply philosophical and introspective poem that explores the challenges of perception and the elusive nature of understanding. Through the careful depiction of a seemingly simple scene, Gilbert delves into the complexities of human experience, highlighting the tension between clarity and confusion, persistence and resignation. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own struggles with understanding and the moments of insight that arise in the midst of life's chaos and beauty.

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