Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "His Head Is Full of Faces" is a poignant reflection on the experiences of a soldier, specifically dedicated to Bernard Perlin. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Rukeyser captures the emotional and psychological aftermath of war, emphasizing the indelible impact of these experiences on the soldier’s psyche.

The poem opens with an introduction to the soldier’s arrival: "Now he has become one who upon that coast / landed by night and found the starving army." This sets a scene of desperation and urgency. The soldier arrives under the cover of darkness, suggesting secrecy and danger. The starving army he encounters indicates a dire situation, highlighting the hardships faced by those in combat.

"Fed on their cheese and wine. In those ravines / hidden by orphaned furious children lay / while cries and wounds and hour past hour of war / flamed past the broken pillars of that sky." These lines depict a harsh and chaotic environment. The simple sustenance of "cheese and wine" contrasts with the more intense imagery of "cries and wounds" and the relentless progression of war. The presence of "orphaned furious children" lying in the ravines underscores the collateral damage and innocent suffering caused by conflict. The "broken pillars of that sky" suggest a shattered and desolate landscape, both physically and metaphorically.

"He saw the enemy. His head is full of faces— / the living, the brave, a pure blazing alone / to fight a domination to the end." The soldier's encounters with the enemy and his comrades fill his mind with countless faces. These faces represent the "living" and "the brave," individuals who fought with a singular determination against oppression. The phrase "a pure blazing alone" captures the intense and solitary nature of this struggle, emphasizing the soldier's personal battle within the larger conflict.

"And now he sees the rigid terrible friend / inert, peopled by armies, winning." This line introduces the image of a "rigid terrible friend," perhaps symbolizing the impersonal and relentless force of war itself, or the traumatic memories that haunt the soldier. The word "inert" suggests a paralyzing effect, while "peopled by armies" indicates that this force is vast and overwhelming. The fact that it is "winning" implies that these memories or forces continue to dominate the soldier’s consciousness.

"Now he has become one given his life by those / fighting in Greece forever under a star / and now he knows how many wars there are." The soldier's identity is now shaped by those who have fought alongside him, particularly in Greece, a location historically associated with significant battles and struggles for freedom. The reference to "forever under a star" could symbolize a guiding light or a perpetual state of vigilance and remembrance. The final realization of "how many wars there are" underscores the universality and unending nature of conflict, suggesting that the soldier’s experiences are part of a larger, continuous cycle of human strife.

"His Head Is Full of Faces" poignantly captures the internal landscape of a soldier marked by the scars of war. Rukeyser’s use of vivid imagery and emotional depth provides a powerful commentary on the enduring effects of combat, highlighting the complex interplay between memory, identity, and the relentless nature of human conflict. Through this poem, she pays tribute to the resilience and sacrifice of those who fight, while also acknowledging the heavy burden they carry long after the battles have ended.

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