Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Of Being Numerous: 7," George Oppen presents a brief but profound reflection on the tension between individuality and the collective, a central theme in his long poem "Of Being Numerous". The section captures the sense of confusion and loss that can accompany the experience of being part of a larger, impersonal society, while also acknowledging the collective choice to embrace this condition.

The poem opens with the words "Obsessed, bewildered," indicating a state of intense preoccupation and confusion. These emotions set the tone for the subsequent lines, suggesting that the speaker—and, by extension, society at large—is grappling with something deeply unsettling and disorienting.

Oppen then introduces the image of a "shipwreck / Of the singular." This metaphor evokes the destruction or failure of individual identity or uniqueness, as though the "singular" person, with all their distinct qualities and experiences, has been shipwrecked—lost, submerged, or overwhelmed by the forces around them. A shipwreck is a catastrophic event, and in this context, it symbolizes the profound loss or fragmentation of the self in the face of larger societal pressures or the overwhelming presence of the collective.

Following this vivid image, Oppen writes, "We have chosen the meaning / Of being numerous." This line acknowledges a conscious or collective decision to embrace the idea of being part of a larger whole, of being "numerous." The phrase "we have chosen" implies a degree of agency, suggesting that despite the bewilderment and loss associated with the "shipwreck of the singular," there is a recognition or acceptance of the collective experience as meaningful.

However, the statement also carries a note of resignation or ambiguity. The choice to be "numerous" could be seen as a surrender to the inevitability of being part of a larger, impersonal society—where individual identities are subsumed under the collective. It suggests that in the face of the overwhelming complexity and vastness of the modern world, people may find solace or necessity in belonging to a group, even if it means sacrificing some of their individuality.

"Of Being Numerous: 7" distills the complex interplay between individuality and the collective into a few powerful lines. Oppen captures the sense of loss and confusion that comes with the erosion of singular identity, while also recognizing the collective choice to find meaning in being part of something larger. The poem invites readers to reflect on the implications of this choice, and the ways in which modern life forces individuals to navigate the delicate balance between selfhood and the pressures of belonging to a broader, more anonymous community. Through its concise language and rich imagery, the section encapsulates the existential dilemmas that define much of Oppen's work.

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