Most People Would Rather Not by Hannah Gamble
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/detail/56477 This poem is a “meaningless” poem that does not have a set plot as compared to the last poem I read by Hannah, Growing a Bear. It does not have as many hidden meanings behind it as the other poem and I found it more difficult to read. This poem talks about nature at first with describing the smell of flowers that fills the air. Then it continues on to describe a river where she sits uninterrupted and watches debris flow over her. She describes the river as a not too cold unimpressive river where she has no sense of growing older. She humbles herself by the river and flows on with her thoughts. I took this poem as her indulgence in the idea of depression and how the sadness weighs upon her. The first part of the poem does not really set up the main idea of the poem. It is not until about the fifth stanza that she admits the desire to “be lying on the bottom of an unimpressive river.” The next few lines bring in an outside perspective where she describes the sticks and leaves flowing over her and her watching from underneath. This almost gives me the sense that she is outside a glass wall looking in and only observing with no interference. The first thing I thought of while reading that imagine this is something to what heaven is like which gives me the idea that that is how she imagines her life. “The water’s not too cold. It doesn’t feel like being dead,” is a hypocritical statement in my opinion because it contradicts with her previous underlying statement of depressed tendencies. The next stanza talks about not feeling old or fetal which refers to the non aging aspect of the mind in life. The first stanza of the poem reinforces the “decaying” feeling that Hannah has as it talks about the browning flowers. This poem could represent the modern society and how people mostly sit back and watch rather than taking action on opinions or ideas. I saw the narrator as a lazy person who stays out of the way of a changing world and rather focuses on themselves than the environment or economy. Hannah brings in unimpressive vs impressive “rivers” which is a metaphor for life in general as a whole. Unimpressive rivers like the narrator is in is a slow meandering river that has no set “final destination” whereas the impressive rivers are speeding on to the ocean drop off. The narrator feels that there are more impressive rivers and is content with her basic, unambitious life.
8 Comments
Jess
12/1/2016 02:42:04 pm
Nice analysis! I liked listening to that woman read it on the website. I can see by the way she writes it, she is very introverted. She longs for peace where no one can disturb her, so she can be alone to her thoughts. I agree it Is pretty sad, especially with the the depressing undertones and thoughts of death.
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Hailey Ramos
12/5/2016 08:36:08 am
This is a great analysis of your poem! I liked how you added a lot of your own personal opinions especially how what she was describing reminded you a lot of heaven. This was a great insight and was probably the motive of the poet! Great job!
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Jacob
12/5/2016 08:38:10 am
Nice Blog. I agree with your analysis and especially how you concluded that the poem represents modern society and how people mostly sit back and observe rather than taking action. This poem is relevant in my life because I find myself in situations where I can step in and express my opinions. I usually stay reserved and hide. This poem is inspirational and teaches readers to become confident in their beliefs.
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Niki Vemulapalli
12/5/2016 08:39:15 am
I usually think that hidden meanings make a poem more difficult to read so it’s interesting that not having these hidden meanings is what made this poem difficult for you. I really like how you explained different things this poem could represent like depression and modern society.
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12/5/2016 08:46:05 am
Your connection of the "impressive" vs. "unimpressive" rivers to people who either do or do not take action in society, respectively, is great, I completely agree! However, I believe the poet was saying that she is in an "impressive" river, though often she would rather be in an easier, "unimpressive" one with the rest of society.
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Heather
12/5/2016 08:50:01 am
I really liked your thoughts on the description of the narrator lying under the water. I agree that the imagery the narrator used in this instance is probably a metaphor for introverted people in modern society simply avoiding taking action. Great idea and analysis!
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Myla B
12/9/2016 07:41:56 am
Hi I really enjoyed your analysis! I must agree with you on your thoughts of what the poem is about! I also think it is a great poem and more of society in this day and time should read it, because so many people have opinions about things and are to afraid/lazy to voice the opinion. The author really hit the nail on the head! Once again great analysis!
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Myla
1/11/2017 07:35:26 am
I have already commented on this post once but hey why not do it again! Great analysis!
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AuthorI am Ashlyn BLUEberry and welcome to my literary thoughts. |