Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Of Being Numerous: 13," George Oppen presents a critique of modern life, focusing on the existential disconnection and superficiality that can arise in a world where everything seems pre-determined and available, leaving little room for true engagement or discovery. The poem explores themes of alienation, the loss of authenticity, and the dangers of living in a world dominated by trivial pursuits and shallow arguments.

The poem opens with the phrase "unable to begin / At the beginning," which suggests a fundamental inability or failure to connect with the origins or deeper meanings of life. Instead of starting from a place of genuine understanding or creation, the "fortunate" find themselves in a world where "everything [is] already here." This line implies that they are born into a world where all choices have been made, and all possibilities pre-defined, leaving them in the role of "shoppers, / Choosers, judges." These roles imply a passive engagement with life, where individuals merely select from what is available rather than creating or contributing something new. This consumerist approach to life is contrasted with the notion of beginning at the beginning, which would imply a more active, engaged, and original way of living.

Oppen then introduces a darker element with the observation that "the brutal / is without issue, a dead end." This suggests that the harsh or violent aspects of life lead nowhere—they are dead ends that do not result in meaningful outcomes or resolutions. This brutality could be seen as a metaphor for the shallow or superficial conflicts that dominate modern life, which ultimately lack substance and direction.

The poem continues by describing how people "develop / Argument in order to speak," indicating that discourse has become centered around conflict and debate rather than genuine communication. The repetition of "unreal, unreal" emphasizes the loss of authenticity in this environment, where life itself "loses / solidity, loses extent." In this world, things that should have depth and substance become insubstantial and meaningless.

Oppen's mention of baseball as something that "is not a game / but an argument" further illustrates this point. Baseball, often seen as a quintessential American pastime, is here portrayed not as a simple sport but as a metaphor for the endless arguments and opinions that pervade society. Similarly, "difference of opinion / makes the horse races" suggests that what should be straightforward activities or competitions are instead driven by conflicts and disagreements, turning them into something more complex and contentious.

The poem then takes a more ominous tone with the statement that "They are ghosts that endanger / One’s soul." This line conveys the idea that the people who engage in these shallow arguments and superficial pursuits are like ghosts—insubstantial, disconnected from true life, and potentially harmful to those who seek more meaningful existence. The notion of "ghosts" reflects the loss of vitality and substance in their lives, and the danger they pose to the spiritual or emotional well-being of others.

Oppen observes that "There is change / In an air / That smells stale," suggesting a sense of impending transformation in an environment that has grown stagnant and stale. The "stale" air symbolizes the old, worn-out ideas and ways of living that no longer serve the needs of the present. The line "they will come to the end / Of an era" indicates that this change marks the conclusion of a particular period or way of life, perhaps the very consumerist, superficial culture that Oppen critiques.

Finally, the poem concludes with a note on the individual's response to this environment: "And one may honorably keep / His distance / If he can." This suggests that maintaining a distance from the shallow, argument-driven aspects of society is not only possible but honorable. It implies that there is value in resisting the pull of these superficial pursuits and instead seeking a more authentic, meaningful way of life.

In "Of Being Numerous: 13," George Oppen reflects on the alienation and loss of substance in modern life, where people are reduced to consumers and debaters, disconnected from deeper truths and original creation. The poem critiques the shallow arguments and trivial pursuits that dominate contemporary culture, suggesting that they lead to a loss of authenticity and pose a danger to the soul. Through its exploration of these themes, the poem invites readers to consider the importance of maintaining a distance from these superficial aspects of life and striving for a more genuine and meaningful existence.

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