Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "What Do We See?" offers a powerful critique of societal hypocrisies and the selective nature of human decency. Through a series of juxtapositions, Rukeyser exposes how societal norms often involve being selectively "decent" or "kind" to one group while being prejudiced or cruel to another. This pattern of inconsistency in moral behavior highlights the complexities and contradictions within human attitudes.

The poem begins with a stark observation: "When they’re decent about women, they’re frightful about children, / When they’re decent about children, they’re rotten about artists." Rukeyser’s use of the word "decent" is particularly pointed, suggesting a superficial or conditional morality that is easily undermined by deeper prejudices. The rapid shift from one group to another emphasizes the fleeting nature of societal empathy and the ease with which it can turn into condemnation.

Rukeyser continues to illustrate these contradictions: "When they’re decent about artists, they’re vicious about whores, / What do we see? What do we not see?" By interspersing these observations with the repeated question, "What do we see? What do we not see?" she prompts readers to reflect on their own perceptions and blind spots. The poem suggests that our understanding of decency is often limited and selective, failing to encompass a truly inclusive morality.

The poem's structure, with its repetitive format, underscores the cyclical and pervasive nature of these hypocrisies: "When they’re kind to whores, they’re death on communists, / When they respect communists, they’re foul to bastards, / When they’re human to bastards, they mock at hysterectomy—." Each line adds another layer to the critique, revealing how societal attitudes are fragmented and inconsistent.

Rukeyser's choice of subjects—whores, communists, bastards, those who have had hysterectomies—highlights groups that are often marginalized or stigmatized. Her juxtaposition of these groups serves to question why empathy and respect are so selectively applied. The poem points out the arbitrary nature of these moral distinctions, challenging readers to recognize and question their own biases.

The poem progresses to more global and political concerns: "When they’re decent about surgery, they bomb the Vietnamese, / When they’re decent to Vietnamese, they’re frightful to police, / When they’re human to police, they rough up lesbians." This expansion from personal and social issues to international and political ones underscores the universality of the poem's critique. It suggests that the same selective morality that applies to interpersonal relationships extends to broader societal and political contexts.

Rukeyser continues this exploration of selective decency with examples that span various identities and groups: "When they’re decent to old women, they kick homosexuals, / When they’re good to homosexuals, they can’t stand drug people, / When they’re calm about drug people, they hate all Germans." Each example further illustrates how societal decency is often compartmentalized, failing to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals.

The "Cadenza for the reader" section heightens the intensity of the poem’s message: "When they’re decent to Jews, they dread the blacks, / When they know blacks, there’s always something: roaches / And the future and children and all potential. Can’t stand themselves." This section points to the underlying self-loathing and fear that often drive these prejudices. Rukeyser suggests that the inability to accept others is deeply tied to an inability to accept oneself.

The poem concludes with a poignant, almost despairing question: "Will we never see? Will we ever know?" This closing line encapsulates the central challenge of the poem—whether humanity can ever overcome its selective decency and truly embrace a consistent, universal morality.

"What Do We See?" is a sharp and insightful critique of human hypocrisy and selective empathy. Rukeyser's powerful juxtapositions and repetitive structure force readers to confront their own biases and the contradictions within societal norms. Through this poem, she calls for a broader, more inclusive understanding of decency that transcends superficial distinctions and embraces the inherent value of all individuals.

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