Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Thirtieth Anniversary Report of the Class of '41" presents a somber and reflective account of the lives of a generation who came of age during and after World War II. The poem captures the mundane realities, unfulfilled aspirations, and ultimate resignation of this cohort as they look back over three decades since their graduation. Through a series of stark and unembellished statements, Nemerov paints a picture of lives lived within the confines of societal expectations and personal compromises.

The poem opens with the declaration, "We who survived the war and took to wife / And sired the kids and made the decent living," immediately situating the speakers as survivors of World War II. This establishes a shared identity and experience of endurance and conformity. The phrase "took to wife" and "sired the kids" suggests a traditional, almost mechanical progression through life's expected stages. The "decent living" they achieved indicates a level of material success and respectability, but it is clear that this was done not through grand achievements but rather through "petty thieving"—a metaphor for the small compromises and moral shortcuts taken along the way.

Nemerov's portrayal of this generation's infidelities is similarly unglamorous: "Who had the routine middle-aged affair / And made our beds and had to lie in them." The "routine" nature of these affairs underscores their banality and the inevitability of facing the consequences. The beds they made and lie in, both literally and metaphorically, represent the accumulation of their life choices, some comfortable, some regrettable, but all inescapable.

The transformation from youthful anger and passion to middle-aged resignation is captured in the line, "And turned our bile and choler in for phlegm." This vivid image suggests a process of emotional and physiological change, where intense emotions like bile (anger) and choler (irritability) are traded for phlegm (calmness and detachment), indicative of aging and the settling into a less turbulent phase of life.

The poem then touches on the inevitabilities of life: witnessing the passing of older generations ("grandparents, parents, to the vault"), aging alongside spouses ("wives and selves grow wrinkled, grey and fat"), and navigating the challenges of raising children ("children through their acne and revolt"). The mention of telling "the analyst about all that" reflects the common mid-20th century practice of seeking psychoanalysis, hinting at the underlying dissatisfaction and unresolved issues that led many to seek professional help.

The closing lines, "Are done with it. What is there to discuss? / There's nothing left for us to say of us," encapsulate a profound sense of finality and resignation. After thirty years, the classmates feel they have exhausted their narratives and have reached a point where their lives, once filled with potential and dreams, have now settled into predictable patterns and routines. There is a palpable sense of weariness and acceptance of the ordinariness of their existence.

Nemerov's use of a plain, straightforward diction throughout the poem reinforces the unvarnished truth of the speakers' reflections. The poem eschews romanticization or nostalgia, opting instead for a candid and unflinching look at the passage of time and the realities of middle age. This honest portrayal invites readers to contemplate their own lives and the ways in which societal expectations and personal choices shape their trajectories.

"Thirtieth Anniversary Report of the Class of '41" serves as a poignant commentary on the human condition, highlighting the tension between the dreams of youth and the compromises of adulthood. Nemerov's masterful use of language and imagery provides a compelling reflection on aging, conformity, and the search for meaning in the midst of life's inevitable progression.

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