Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"As in Their Time" by Frederick Louis MacNeice is a poem that captures a series of vignettes, each offering a sharp critique of different aspects of human life, society, and the ironies that come with them. The poem, through its fragmented structure and varied content, paints a broad picture of existential struggles, societal failures, and the absurdities of modern life.

 Structure and Form

The poem is structured into twelve distinct sections, each consisting of a short, free-verse stanza. There is no consistent rhyme scheme or meter, which gives the poem a sense of disjointedness and fragmentation—appropriate for the vignettes that explore different themes and characters. The use of Roman numerals to separate each section reinforces the idea of each vignette being a distinct observation or reflection.

 Themes and Content

1. Materialism and Misery (I, V, VII):

   - In the first vignette, MacNeice presents two extremes: those who are miserly to the point of absurdity and those who tip extravagantly without reason. The "cold computer" that "gathered the leavings" symbolizes a society that tries to rationalize or quantify human behavior, only to find that it "made no sense." This introduces the theme of materialism and the futility of wealth.

   - Similarly, in section V, the old ladies who save diligently for their descendants only to be undone by inflation represent the emptiness of accumulating wealth for a future that never arrives. The line "the heirs that were dead before them" is a poignant commentary on the futility of their sacrifices.

   - Section VII focuses on a woman preoccupied with the "main Drain," suggesting that she has missed the larger point of life by focusing on something inconsequential.

2. Identity and Self-Deception (III, VIII, XI):

   - Section III explores the idea of belief, particularly whether the woman believes in love or in the role she plays. This questioning of authenticity versus performance highlights a theme of self-deception.

   - In VIII, a man's "recurring protest" is portrayed as both a gesture of resistance and an excuse for his actions, showing how people often deceive themselves about the significance of their actions.

   - Section XI takes a darker, ironic turn with the story of a woman who is "camera-conscious" even in the bush, only to be eaten by cannibals. This vignette critiques the superficiality of modern identity, where even in extreme situations, people remain fixated on appearances.

3. Failure and Absurdity (II, IV, VI, IX, XII):

   - The second section introduces a polyglot who, despite his linguistic abilities, remains "illiterate" in understanding deeper meanings, symbolized by his inability to read cuneiform. His "idol had a brain of clay," suggesting that his beliefs or values are ultimately hollow.

   - In IV, MacNeice comments on the failure of women who save diligently for their descendants only to find their efforts rendered meaningless by economic forces.

   - Section VI describes a man who "clowned it through," suggesting a life lived without seriousness or depth, where even potentially profound experiences (the "wheel of fire") are reduced to triviality.

   - The ninth section paints a picture of a man who is so unremarkable that his presence turns a room into a morgue—another biting commentary on the emptiness of certain lives.

   - The final section (XII) tells the story of a child who "showed promise" but whose potential is ultimately undone by a drought, a metaphor for the unpredictability of life and the futility of expectation.

4. Modern Alienation (X, XII):

   - Section X speaks of a "Citizen of an ever-expanding / Universe" who lives among "plastic gear" and is so detached from reality that he "left no fingerprints at all." This reflects the theme of modern alienation, where technological advancements and synthetic environments leave people disconnected from their own humanity.

   - In XII, the child who initially "showed promise" but was undone by circumstances beyond his control encapsulates the unpredictability of life and the ultimate impotence of human effort in the face of fate.

 Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is consistently ironic, with a touch of dark humor. MacNeice employs a detached, almost clinical voice to describe these vignettes, which amplifies the absurdity and futility of the situations depicted. The mood ranges from melancholy to biting satire, as the poem critiques the empty pursuits, self-deceptions, and inevitable failures of its characters.

 Conclusion

"As in Their Time" by Frederick Louis MacNeice offers a series of sharp, often cynical reflections on various aspects of human life. Through its fragmented structure and pointed observations, the poem critiques the absurdities of modern existence, the emptiness of materialism, the fragility of identity, and the unpredictability of fate. Each vignette serves as a miniature commentary on the human condition, highlighting the disconnect between intention and outcome, belief and reality, and promise and fulfillment.

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