|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Grace to Be Said at the Supermarket" by Howard Nemerov is a satirical and reflective poem that delves into the complexities of progress, human error, and the hubris of modern intellectuals. Through a conversational and somewhat ironic tone, Nemerov explores the challenges of constructing a coherent and ordered worldview, the difficulties of learning from history, and the self-assuredness of contemporary thinkers. The poem begins with the fundamental problem of getting "first things / To come first," a challenge in establishing priorities and foundational principles. This task is likened to building a tower "course after course, / In an orderly manner," symbolizing the effort to create a structured and meaningful edifice of knowledge or society. The repetition of "the problem was" underscores the persistent difficulty and the inherent complexity of this endeavor. Nemerov emphasizes that achieving this orderly construction "wouldn't be easy," acknowledging the inherent challenges and the ambitious nature of the goal. The reward for this effort would be "order, the tower, / Majesty," suggesting a grand and impressive result if the task could be accomplished. However, the uncertainty of how this order would come about remains a significant issue, as "nobody ever said, and that was / The problem that so exercised / The best minds of that generation." The poem shifts to a philosophical reflection, referencing Pascal's idea that "The last thing you get to know, / Pascal had said, is what comes first." This paradox highlights the difficulty of truly understanding foundational principles, as they often become clear only after extensive exploration and reflection. The poem acknowledges that much progress had been made, but the central problem remained whether to build upon the "shifty foundations" of past knowledge or to start anew. Nemerov critiques the self-assurance of contemporary thinkers who believe that they would have acted differently than their predecessors: "If they had been there back then, / When those things happened, that is, / They would not have happened because / They would not have let them happen." This sentiment reflects a common historical arrogance, the belief that one’s own generation is morally superior and would have avoided the mistakes of the past. The poem concludes with a satirical twist, as the intellectuals reassure themselves that they are not "the sort of guys / Who would have poisoned Socrates / Or crucified their Savior." This self-congratulatory stance is punctuated by the ironic declaration, "By God nobody ever said they were," which mocks the certainty and righteousness of their claims. "Grace to Be Said at the Supermarket" by Howard Nemerov uses the metaphor of building a tower and the setting of a modern supermarket to explore deeper themes of progress, historical understanding, and human fallibility. Through its conversational tone and ironic insights, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of knowledge, the lessons of history, and the often misguided confidence of those who believe they are beyond the errors of the past.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |
|