Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "By Heart," John Hollander delves into the intricacies of memory, the sensory experiences that shape our understanding of the world, and the ways in which we internalize and recall the past. Through a blend of evocative imagery and philosophical reflection, the poem explores how auditory, visual, and emotional memories intertwine to create a continuous sense of self.

The poem begins with the auditory experiences that first capture our attention: "The songs come at us first; and then the rhymed / Verses like speech that half sings." This suggests that music and poetry, with their melodic and rhythmic qualities, are among the earliest and most profound influences on our memory. The "tunes / Of summer evening" evoke a nostalgic ambiance, painting a vivid picture of childhood memories filled with the comforting sounds of a train whistle, swallows' gossip, and the distant strains of a dance band's reed section.

Hollander's imagery continues to evoke a sense of wistfulness and longing: "The Good Humor man's bells who tolled for me." This line underscores the personal and intimate nature of these memories, each sound a marker of a specific time and place in the poet's life. The auditory elements serve as keys to unlock the "boxes we get assigned to us / By the uncaring sheriffs of life itself," highlighting how memories are stored and accessed throughout our lives.

The poem then transitions to a reflection on the nature of learning and memory: "We play by ear but learn the words by heart (Visions we have by head)." Hollander contrasts the different ways we internalize experiences—through hearing, memorizing, and visualizing. Despite the passage of time and the fading of the "sight of the remembered page," the "jingles that we gleaned from it remain / Lodged with us." This suggests that even as visual memories dim, the rhythmic and melodic elements of memory persist, providing a means of "getting a grip on certain fragile things."

Hollander emphasizes the foundational role of memory in shaping our identity: "We are ourselves from birth committed to / Memory, to broad access to a past / Framing and filling any presentness / Of self that we could really call our own." This line highlights the idea that our sense of self is built upon a continuous accumulation of past experiences, which frame and inform our present.

The poem concludes with a meditation on the different faculties through which we grasp the world: "We grasp the world by ear, by heart, by head, / And keep it in a soft continuingness / That we first learned to get by soul, or something." This final reflection encapsulates the poem's exploration of memory, suggesting that our understanding of the world is a holistic process involving auditory, emotional, intellectual, and perhaps spiritual dimensions.

In "By Heart," John Hollander masterfully captures the essence of memory and its role in shaping our identity. Through rich sensory imagery and thoughtful reflection, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we internalize and recall our experiences, and how these memories form a continuous thread that connects our past, present, and future. The interplay of sound, sight, and emotion in the poem underscores the multifaceted nature of memory and its enduring impact on our sense of self.

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