Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Self-Portrait, as a Bear" by Donald Hall is a whimsical yet profound exploration of identity, self-perception, and the inherent beauty found within one's own nature. The poem presents a striking and endearing image of a bear that is partly a dodo, blending the real and the fantastical to create a character rich in metaphor and symbolism.

The opening lines, "Here is a fat animal, a bear / that is partly a dodo," introduce a creature that is both comical and endearing. The bear's description as "fat" and "partly a dodo" evokes a sense of clumsiness and obsolescence, yet there is an underlying affection in the portrayal. The "ridiculous wings" that "hang at his shoulders / as if they were collarbones" further emphasize the bear's oddity, suggesting an awkwardness that is both physical and existential.

As the bear "plods in the bad brickyards / at the edge of the city, smiling / and eating flowers," the poem situates this creature in a gritty, urban environment. The contrast between the harsh brickyards and the act of eating flowers highlights the bear's unique nature and gentle spirit. His smile and his consumption of flowers, "because he loves them / because they are beautiful / because they love him," reveal a deep appreciation for beauty and a reciprocal relationship with the natural world. This act of eating flowers symbolizes a form of nourishment that is both physical and spiritual, indicating that beauty and love are integral to the bear's existence.

The bear's physical appearance, particularly his "huge stomach," becomes a central focus: "He carries his huge stomach / over the gutters of damp leaves / in the parking lots in October." This imagery of the bear navigating the urban landscape with his enormous belly adds to the sense of incongruity and humor, yet it also carries a deeper significance. Within this "paunch," the bear holds "fields of lupine / and meadows of mustard and poppy." This metaphorical stomach encapsulates a world of natural beauty and abundance, suggesting that despite his outward appearance and clumsy demeanor, the bear harbors a rich, internal landscape.

The poem further elaborates on this internal world: "He encloses sunshine. / Winds bend the flowers / in combers across the valley, / birds hang on the stiff wind, / at night there are showers, and the sun / lifts through a haze every morning / of the summer in the stomach." This vivid imagery paints a picture of a vibrant, idyllic inner life, full of color, movement, and renewal. The bear's internal world is a place of perpetual summer, where nature thrives and the cycles of day and night bring continuous beauty and change.

In "Self-Portrait, as a Bear," Donald Hall uses the figure of the bear to explore themes of self-acceptance, the coexistence of outer appearance and inner reality, and the transformative power of beauty and love. The bear's physical form, awkward and seemingly out of place in the urban environment, contrasts sharply with the lush, fertile inner world he carries within him. This duality speaks to the complexity of identity and the richness that lies beneath the surface.

The poem's gentle humor and whimsical tone invite readers to reflect on their own perceptions of self and the often-hidden beauty within. By embracing the bear's peculiarities and celebrating his inner landscape, Hall offers a poignant reminder of the importance of looking beyond outward appearances to appreciate the deeper, often unseen aspects of who we are.

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