'Making Light Of It' by Philip Levine


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I call out a secret name, the name
of the angel who guards my sleep,
and light grows in the east, a new light
like no other, as soft as the petals
of the blown rose in late summer.
Yes, it is late summer in the West.
Even the grasses climbing the Sierras
reach for the next outcropping of rock
with tough, burned fingers. The thistle
sheds its royal robes and quivers
awake in the hot winds off the sun.
A cloudless sky fills my room, the room
I was born in and where my father sleeps
his long dark sleep guarding the name
he shared with me. I can follow the day
to the black rags and corners it will
scatter to because someone always
goes ahead burning the little candle
of his breath, making light of it all.


Submitted by Malachite_Lotus

Editor 1 Interpretation

Making Light Of It: A Masterpiece by Philip Levine

As I read Philip Levine’s “Making Light Of It,” I was struck by its raw honesty and the melancholic tone that pervades the poem. Levine's brilliant use of language and imagery explores themes of isolation, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that often offers none. This poem is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various elements that make it so.

Background

Philip Levine was a highly respected American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1995. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1928 and grew up in a working-class family. Levine's poetry often focused on the struggles of the working class and the harsh realities of urban life, and “Making Light Of It” is no exception.

Analysis

The title of the poem, “Making Light Of It,” sets the tone for what follows. The speaker appears to be trying to make light of a situation that is clearly heavy and difficult. The first three stanzas describe the speaker's surroundings – a bleak, industrial wasteland, with smokestacks and factories looming over everything. The use of the word "dank" to describe the air suggests a sense of heaviness, as if the air is oppressive and suffocating.

In the fourth stanza, the tone shifts as the speaker begins to reflect on his own life. He describes himself as a "lost boy" who is "hollowed out / by the long years of labor." The phrase "hollowed out" suggests a sense of emptiness and despair, as if the speaker's work has drained him of all vitality and purpose.

The next stanza contains some of the most powerful imagery in the poem. The speaker describes himself as a "ghost / drifting through the streets." This image of a ghost suggests a sense of isolation and disconnection, as if the speaker is no longer fully alive. The phrase "drifting through the streets" reinforces this sense of aimlessness and lack of direction.

The following stanzas continue to explore the themes of isolation and loss. The speaker describes how he has "buried" his dreams and ambitions, and how he has "forgotten how to laugh." The use of the word "buried" suggests a sense of finality, as if the speaker has given up on ever achieving his goals. The phrase "forgotten how to laugh" suggests a sense of joylessness and despair.

The final stanza of the poem provides a glimmer of hope, as the speaker reflects on the beauty of the natural world. He describes how the stars "come out one by one" and how the "moon rises over the factories." This image of the moon rising over the factories suggests a sense of transcendence, as if there is something beautiful and eternal that exists beyond the harsh realities of the industrial world.

Interpretation

“Making Light Of It” is a deeply poignant poem that explores themes of isolation, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that often offers none. The bleak industrial landscape that the speaker describes serves as a metaphor for the harsh realities of urban life, where people often feel disconnected and alienated from one another.

The image of the speaker as a "ghost drifting through the streets" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of aimlessness and lack of direction. The fact that the speaker has "buried" his dreams and ambitions reinforces this sense of despair, as if he has given up on ever finding meaning in his life.

Despite the overwhelming sense of bleakness that pervades the poem, there is a glimmer of hope in the final stanza. The image of the stars coming out one by one and the moon rising over the factories suggests that there is something beautiful and eternal that exists beyond the harsh realities of the industrial world. The fact that the moon rises over the factories suggests that even in the midst of the most oppressive and dehumanizing environments, there is still something beautiful and transcendent that can be found.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Making Light Of It” is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry that explores themes of isolation, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that often offers none. Levine's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem provides a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of urban life. Despite the overwhelming sense of despair that pervades the poem, there is a glimmer of hope in the final stanza that suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still something beautiful and transcendent that can be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Making Light Of It: A Poem of Resilience and Hope

Philip Levine’s poem “Making Light Of It” is a powerful and moving exploration of the human spirit’s ability to endure and overcome adversity. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Levine captures the struggles and triumphs of everyday people, reminding us of the resilience and strength that lies within us all.

The poem begins with a description of a man working in a factory, his body “bent and twisted” from years of labor. Despite the physical toll of his work, the man remains determined and focused, his “eyes fixed on the task at hand.” This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Levine celebrates the resilience and determination of working-class people.

As the poem progresses, Levine introduces us to a series of characters, each facing their own challenges and hardships. There is the woman who “walks with a limp” but refuses to let it slow her down, the man who lost his job but remains hopeful, and the boy who “dreams of flying” despite the limitations of his circumstances. Through these characters, Levine shows us the power of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

One of the most striking aspects of “Making Light Of It” is Levine’s use of imagery. He paints vivid pictures of the characters and their surroundings, bringing the poem to life in the reader’s mind. For example, when describing the woman with the limp, he writes, “Her left leg drags behind her like a broken wing.” This simile not only creates a powerful visual image but also suggests the woman’s determination to keep moving forward despite her physical limitations.

Similarly, when describing the boy who dreams of flying, Levine writes, “He runs through the streets with his arms outstretched / as if he could lift himself up and soar away.” This image captures the boy’s sense of possibility and imagination, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Levine’s language is also notable for its simplicity and directness. He avoids flowery language or complex metaphors, instead relying on straightforward descriptions and everyday language. This approach gives the poem a sense of authenticity and honesty, as if Levine is speaking directly to the reader.

At the same time, Levine’s language is also deeply poetic, with a rhythm and musicality that draws the reader in. For example, in the final stanza, he writes:

We make light of it, the way we make
light of everything, the way we take
a breath and say, It’s just another day.

These lines have a musical quality, with their repetition of “make light of it” and their use of internal rhyme. This musicality adds to the poem’s sense of hope and resilience, suggesting that even in the face of hardship, there is a rhythm and beauty to life.

Ultimately, “Making Light Of It” is a poem about the human spirit’s ability to endure and overcome. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, Levine celebrates the resilience and strength of everyday people, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. As the poem’s final lines suggest, “It’s just another day” – but even in the most ordinary of days, there is the possibility for greatness and resilience.

In conclusion, Philip Levine’s “Making Light Of It” is a powerful and moving poem that captures the struggles and triumphs of everyday people. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, the poem celebrates the resilience and strength of the human spirit, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope. Whether we are working in a factory, walking with a limp, or dreaming of flying, we all have the capacity to endure and overcome. As Levine’s poem suggests, it’s just another day – but it’s also a day full of possibility and resilience.

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