'The Negatives' by Philip Levine


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On March 1, 1958, four deserters from the French Army of North Africa,
August Rein, Henri Bruette, Jack Dauville, & Thomas Delain, robbed a
government pay station at Orleansville. Because of the subsequent
confession of Dauville the other three were captured or shot. Dauville
was given his freedom and returned to the land of his birth, the U.S.A.


AUGUST REIN:
from a last camp near St. Remy

I dig in the soft earth all
afternoon, spacing the holes
a foot or so from the wall.
Tonight we eat potatoes,
tomorrow rice and carrots.
The earth here is like the earth
nowhere, ancient with wood rot.
How can anything come forth,

I wonder; and the days are
all alike, if there is more
than one day. If there is more
of this I will not endure.
I have grown so used to being
watched I can no longer sleep
without my watcher. The thing
I fought against, the dark cape,

crimsoned with terror that
I so hated comforts me now.
Thomas is dead; insanity,
prison, cowardice, or slow
inner capitulation
has found us all, and all men
turn from us, knowing our pain
is not theirs or caused by them.

HENRI BRUETTE:
from a hospital in Algiers

Dear Suzanne: this letter will
not reach you because I can't
write it; I have no pencil,
no paper, only the blunt
end of my anger. My dear,
if I had words how could I
report the imperfect failure
for which I began to die?

I might begin by saying
that it was for clarity,
though I did not find it in
terror: dubiously
entered each act, unsure
of who I was and what I
did, touching my face for fear
I was another inside

my head I played back pictures
of my childhood, of my wife
even, for it was in her
I found myself beaten, safe,
and furthest from the present.
It is her face I see now
though all I say is meant
for you, her face in the slow

agony of sexual
release. I cannot see you.
The dark wall ribbed with spittle
on which I play my childhood
brings me to this bed, mastered
by what I was, betrayed by
those I trusted. The one word
my mouth must open to is why.

JACK DAUVILLE:
from a hotel in Tampa, Florida

From Orleansville we drove
south until we reached the hills,
then east until
the road stopped. I was nervous
and couldn't eat. Thomas took
over, told us when to think
and when to shit.
We turned north and reached Blida
by first dawn and the City

by morning, having dumped our
weapons beside an empty
road. We were free.
We parted, and to this hour
I haven't seen them, except
in photographs: the black hair
and torn features
of Thomas Delain captured
a moment before his death

on the pages of the world,
smeared in the act. I tortured
myself with their
betrayal: alone I hurled
them into freedom, inner
freedom which I can't find
nor ever will
until they are dead. In my mind
Delain stands against the wall

precise in detail, steadied
for the betrayal. "La France
C'Est Moi," he cried,
but the irony was lost. Since
I returned to the U.S.
nothing goes well. I stay up
too late, don't sleep,
and am losing weight. Thomas,
I say, is dead, but what use

telling myself what I won't
believe. The hotel quiets
early at night,
the aged brace themselves for
another sleep, and offshore
the sea quickens its pace. I
am suddenly
old, caught in a strange country
for which no man would die.

THOMAS DELAIN:
from a journal found on his person

At night wakened by the freight
trains boring through the suburbs
of Lyon, I watched first light
corrode the darkness, disturb
what little wildlife was left
in the alleys: birds moved from
branch to branch, and the dogs leapt
at the garbage. Winter numbed
even the hearts of the young
who had only their hearts. We
heard the war coming; the long
wait was over, and we moved
along the crowded roads south
not looking for what lost loves
fell by the roadsides. To flee
at all cost, that was my youth.

Here in the African night
wakened by what I do not
know and shivering in the heat,
listen as the men fight
with sleep. Loosed from their weapons
they cry out, frightened and young,
who have never been children.
Once merely to be strong,
to live, was moral. Within
these uniforms we accept
the evil we were chosen
to deliver, and no act
human or benign can free
us from ourselves. Wait, sleep, blind
soldiers of a blind will, and
listen for that old command
dreaming of authority.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Negatives by Philip Levine: A Masterpiece in Poetic Realism

Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling emotionally drained yet thoroughly satisfied at the same time? That's exactly how I felt after reading Philip Levine's The Negatives. This masterpiece of poetic realism explores the lives of factory workers in Detroit during the 1940s and 50s, a theme that is close to Levine's heart as he himself worked in the factories before becoming a poet. In this detailed 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the layers of meaning in this poem and examine how Levine uses language and imagery to convey the plight of the working class.

Overview of the Poem

The Negatives is a long poem consisting of 74 stanzas, each with four lines. The title itself is a nod to the photography industry, where negatives are the inverse images of the photographs themselves. This theme of inversion is present throughout the poem as Levine juxtaposes the bleakness of factory life with the beauty of nature and the human spirit. The poem can be divided into two main sections - the first half focuses on the dreary working conditions in the factories, while the second half explores the workers' lives outside of work.

The Factory as a Metaphor for Life

From the very beginning, Levine sets the tone for the poem with his opening lines:

This is the city where men are mended.
I sit beside a telephone
that can't stop ringing.
It's as if the machine were confessing.

The words "men are mended" suggest that the factory is a place where broken men go to be fixed, but as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the opposite is true. The repetitive, mind-numbing work that the workers are forced to do takes a toll on their bodies and minds, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted. The telephone that can't stop ringing is a metaphor for the constant demands of the factory, which never give the workers a moment's peace.

In stanza 3, Levine describes the factory as a "great stone tomb" which is both literal and metaphorical. The workers are trapped inside the factory, surrounded by the machinery that threatens to crush them at any moment. But the factory also represents the entrapment of the working class in a system that doesn't value their humanity. The line "we move like chessmen armored in steel" reinforces the idea that the workers have lost their individuality and are reduced to mere cogs in the machine.

Levine's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the harshness of factory life. In stanza 5, he describes the workers as "hollow men" who are "chased by their own lives". The image of a hollow man is both haunting and poignant, suggesting that the workers have lost their sense of self and are merely going through the motions of living. The line "chased by their own lives" reinforces the idea that the workers are unable to escape the drudgery of their existence.

The Beauty of Nature as an Antidote to Industrial Brutality

Despite the bleakness of the factory setting, Levine balances it out with references to the beauty of nature. In stanza 15, he describes the sky as "blue as heaven" and in stanza 20, he writes about the "greenery of trees" that offer a respite from the concrete jungle of the city. These descriptions of nature serve as a reminder that there is more to life than work and that beauty can still be found in the world.

The contrast between the industrial and natural worlds is a recurring theme in the poem. In stanza 28, Levine writes about the "pale machine light" that "erases the stars" and in stanza 30, he describes the "summer air" that is "chewed up and spat out" by the factory. These descriptions highlight the destructive nature of industrialization and the toll it takes on the environment.

But even as Levine acknowledges the brutality of the factory, he never loses sight of the resilience of the human spirit. In stanza 35, he writes about a worker who "sings to himself as he works", finding solace in his own voice. This small act of rebellion is a testament to the workers' determination to hold onto their humanity, even in the face of dehumanizing conditions.

Life Outside of Work

In the second half of the poem, Levine shifts his focus to the workers' lives outside of work. These sections are more optimistic in tone, suggesting that there is hope for the workers even as they struggle to make ends meet.

In stanza 40, Levine writes about a group of workers who play baseball on their day off, finding joy in a simple game. The line "the sun shines over everything" reinforces the idea that nature has the power to heal and rejuvenate even the most battered of souls.

The theme of community is also important in these sections. In stanza 46, Levine writes about a father and son who "walk together in the cool evening air". The image of the father teaching his son how to fish is both heartwarming and melancholy, suggesting that the cycle of poverty and hard work is likely to continue from one generation to the next.

Conclusion

The Negatives is a powerful poem that speaks to the struggles of the working class. Levine's use of language and imagery is masterful, painting a vivid picture of the harshness of factory life while also finding beauty and hope in the natural world. This poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. As I read the final lines of the poem, I was left with a sense of awe and gratitude for Levine's ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in just a few short pages. This is truly a masterpiece of poetic realism, and I urge anyone who has not yet read it to do so immediately.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Negatives: A Poem of Life's Struggles and Triumphs

Philip Levine's "The Negatives" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the struggles and triumphs of life. The poem is a reflection on the experiences of the speaker, who is a photographer, as he looks back on his life and the people he has encountered. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Levine captures the essence of the human experience, with all its joys and sorrows, and reminds us of the importance of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's life. In the first section, the speaker reflects on his early years as a photographer, when he was just starting out and struggling to make a name for himself. He describes the long hours he spent in the darkroom, developing his photographs, and the frustration he felt when his work was not recognized or appreciated. Despite these setbacks, however, the speaker remains determined to succeed, and he continues to work tirelessly, driven by his passion for photography and his desire to capture the beauty of the world around him.

In the second section of the poem, the speaker reflects on the people he has encountered throughout his life, and the impact they have had on him. He describes the homeless man he once photographed, who taught him the importance of empathy and compassion, and the young girl he photographed in a hospital, who reminded him of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. Through these encounters, the speaker learns to see the world in a new light, and he gains a deeper understanding of the human experience.

In the final section of the poem, the speaker reflects on his own mortality, and the legacy he will leave behind. He acknowledges that his time on earth is limited, and that he will eventually be forgotten, but he remains hopeful that his work will live on, and that it will continue to inspire and touch the lives of others. He concludes the poem with a powerful statement of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and joy to be found in life.

One of the most striking features of "The Negatives" is its use of vivid imagery and powerful language. Levine's descriptions of the world around him are rich and evocative, and they bring the poem to life in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. For example, in the first section of the poem, he describes the darkroom as a place of "chemicals and shadows," where the photographer is "lost in the dark, / his hands a blur of motion." This description captures the intensity and focus required to create a photograph, and it also hints at the sense of isolation and loneliness that can come with the creative process.

Similarly, in the second section of the poem, Levine's descriptions of the people he has encountered are both vivid and poignant. He describes the homeless man as "a man who had lost everything / but his life," and he captures the sense of despair and hopelessness that can come with poverty and homelessness. He also describes the young girl in the hospital as "a child who had seen / too much of the world," and he captures the sense of innocence lost that can come with illness and suffering.

Throughout the poem, Levine also uses powerful language to convey the emotions and experiences of the speaker. He describes the frustration of the photographer as he struggles to make a name for himself, the empathy and compassion he feels for the homeless man, and the sense of awe and wonder he experiences as he captures the beauty of the world around him. These emotions are conveyed with a sense of honesty and authenticity that is both moving and inspiring.

In addition to its vivid imagery and powerful language, "The Negatives" is also a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us of the struggles and triumphs that are a part of life, and it encourages us to persevere in the face of adversity. Through the experiences of the speaker, we are reminded of the importance of empathy, compassion, and hope, and we are encouraged to see the world in a new light.

Overall, "The Negatives" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human experience. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and profound insights, it reminds us of the struggles and triumphs that are a part of life, and it encourages us to persevere in the face of adversity. Whether we are photographers, writers, or simply people trying to make our way in the world, this poem speaks to us all, and it reminds us of the beauty and joy that can be found in even the darkest of moments.

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