Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Against the War in Vietnam" by Wendell Berry is a poignant critique of the political and moral contradictions inherent in the Vietnam War, as well as a broader indictment of the ways in which power and violence are wielded in the name of freedom and democracy. Through stark imagery and incisive language, Berry confronts the reader with the devastating consequences of the war, not only on the Vietnamese people but also on the American psyche and moral compass.

The poem opens with a sarcastic invocation to "Believe the automatic righteousness / of whoever holds office," immediately challenging the unquestioning acceptance of authority and the dangerous assumption that those in power inherently possess moral clarity. Berry underscores the absurdity of justifying war as a means to peace and oppression as a path to freedom, highlighting the Orwellian doublespeak that often characterizes political discourse surrounding conflict.

Berry's critique extends to the American public's complicity in the war, represented by the image of riding "at the wheels of our engines," a metaphor for both the literal machinery of war and the metaphorical machinery of consumerism and progress that drives societal complicity in government actions. The phrase "in the name of Plenty devouring all" captures the destructive greed and consumerism that Berry sees as underpinning American society and foreign policy.

The poem vividly describes the "exhaust of our progress" as falling "deadly on villages and fields / we do not see," pointing to the dehumanization of the Vietnamese people and the physical and ecological devastation wrought by the war. Berry's reference to "millions of little deaths" underscores the enormity of the tragedy, each death a diminution of humanity.

Berry mourns the loss of a vision of America that promised "quiet plenteous dwellings" and neighborliness, a vision now corrupted by the realities of war and the betrayal of foundational ideals. The "American freedom" is shown to be defended by lies and violence, a freedom tarnished by the suffering of the innocent—"the agony of children, / women cowering in holes."

Through "Against the War in Vietnam," Berry calls into question the moral foundations of the war and the broader implications for American identity and values. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the need for critical reflection on the means by which political and ideological goals are pursued. Berry's work is a testament to the role of poetry and the arts in challenging injustice and advocating for a more compassionate and ethical engagement with the world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.ft.com/content/13ef5138-10dd-11e8-940e-08320fc2a277

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