Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Albert Goldbarth's "D____ L____’s," the intricate relationship between the past and present is explored through the lens of memory, history, and the inescapable force of "before." Goldbarth weaves a narrative that underscores the continual influence of the past on our current identities, a concept aptly framed by the introductory quotation from Charles Dickens: "Fathers are invariably great nuisances on the stage, and always have to give the hero or heroine a long explanation of what was done before the curtain rose, usually commencing with 'It is now nineteen years, my dear child, since ...' etc., etc." This quotation sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the persistent presence of history in our lives and the necessity of understanding our origins to comprehend our current selves.

Goldbarth begins by juxtaposing the cosmic scale of creation with the personal histories that define us. The poem suggests that just as planets and stars have a history of formation from gas and energy, our personal identities are shaped by countless past events and influences. The “beforeon” concept—a whimsical creation of the poet—symbolizes the smallest units of our past that collectively exert a gravitational pull on our present selves. This idea resonates with Dickens' observation about the unavoidable explanations of the past that shape the narrative of the present.

The poem delves into the life of D____ L____, an orphaned individual tirelessly searching for her origins. Her quest is depicted as a meticulous and sometimes heartbreaking endeavor, akin to a cosmologist tracing light back to its source. This search for identity amidst the fragments of the past is a poignant reflection of the human condition, echoing the struggles faced by characters in Dickens' works, where understanding one's past is crucial to shaping one's future.

Goldbarth further explores the tension between the desire to disconnect from history and the inescapable nature of the past. He illustrates this through the metaphor of a man snooping through his partner’s bureau, seeking remnants of her past relationships. This act, driven by insecurity and curiosity, highlights the impossibility of completely detaching from one's history. It underscores the idea that our pasts, like the remnants in the bureau, always leave a trace, influencing our present relationships and self-perceptions.

The poem also touches on the universal experience of wanting to start anew, unburdened by the past. However, Goldbarth asserts that such a desire is illusory. We are bound by our histories, just as the universe is bound by the background radiation of the Big Bang. This notion is reinforced through the character’s realization that one cannot escape the gravitational pull of their own history, much like the forces that shape the cosmos.

Goldbarth’s narrative includes a poignant moment where the man uncovers something in the bureau that irrevocably alters his perception of his relationship. This discovery is a microcosm of the broader theme: the ever-present influence of the past on the present. The poem suggests that understanding and accepting our histories is essential, even if they contain painful or unsettling truths.

The poem culminates in the story of D____ L____'s great-grandfather, a lector in a cigar factory who read aloud to workers, weaving narratives from Shakespeare, Dickens, and other sources to alleviate their toil. This historical anecdote ties back to the poem's central theme: the importance of storytelling and the continuous thread of history that shapes our identities. It reflects Dickens' sentiment about the omnipresence of the past and its explanatory power over the present.

In "D____ L____’s," Goldbarth masterfully intertwines personal history with cosmic metaphor, emphasizing the inextricable link between the past and present. The poem, enriched by its historical and literary references, serves as a powerful reminder that our identities are perpetually influenced by the continuum of "before." Dickens' observation about the necessity of historical explanation finds a profound echo in Goldbarth's exploration of memory, identity, and the relentless force of the past.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...