'The Woman At The Washington Zoo' by Randall Jarrell


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The saris go by me from the embassies.

Cloth from the moon. Cloth from another planet.
They look back at the leopard like the leopard.

And I. . . .
this print of mine, that has kept its color
Alive through so many cleanings; this dull null
Navy I wear to work, and wear from work, and so
To my bed, so to my grave, with no
Complaints, no comment: neither from my chief,
The Deputy Chief Assistant, nor his chief--
Only I complain. . . . this serviceable
Body that no sunlight dyes, no hand suffuses
But, dome-shadowed, withering among columns,
Wavy beneath fountains--small, far-off, shining
In the eyes of animals, these beings trapped
As I am trapped but not, themselves, the trap,
Aging, but without knowledge of their age,
Kept safe here, knowing not of death, for death--
Oh, bars of my own body, open, open!

The world goes by my cage and never sees me.
And there come not to me, as come to these,
The wild beasts, sparrows pecking the llamas' grain,
Pigeons settling on the bears' bread, buzzards
Tearing the meat the flies have clouded. . . .
Vulture,
When you come for the white rat that the foxes left,
Take off the red helmet of your head, the black
Wings that have shadowed me, and step to me as man:
The wild brother at whose feet the white wolves fawn,
To whose hand of power the great lioness
Stalks, purring. . . .
You know what I was,
You see what I am: change me, change me!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Woman At The Washington Zoo: A Masterpiece of Irony and Social Commentary

The Woman At The Washington Zoo by Randall Jarrell is a classic poem that satirizes the societal norms and values of mid-century America. Published in 1960, the poem is a reflection of the cultural ferment and political upheaval of the era, a time when the country was grappling with issues of race, gender, and social inequality.

At its core, the poem is an exploration of the human condition, a meditation on the universal themes of alienation, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a world that seems indifferent and cruel. Through the eyes of a caged animal, Jarrell examines the everyday struggles of the modern individual, revealing the contradictions and absurdities of contemporary life with piercing wit and a keen eye for detail.

The Plot and Structure of the Poem

The Woman At The Washington Zoo tells the story of a woman who visits the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. As she walks around the zoo, she comes across a caged lion, who, instead of roaring, merely sits and stares at her with a look of forlorn resignation. The sight of the lion inspires the woman to reflect on her own life and the existential angst that plagues her.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the woman's experience. The first stanza introduces the woman and sets the stage for the narrative, describing her as a typical middle-class American housewife, "in her house dress" and "city shoes". The second stanza focuses on the lion and his captivity, contrasting his life of confinement and boredom with the woman's freedom and privilege. The third stanza delves into the woman's inner thoughts and feelings, revealing her sense of alienation and despair. The final stanza brings together the various threads of the poem, culminating in a moment of profound irony and social critique.

The Themes and Ideas of the Poem

At its heart, The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a critique of modern society and its values. Through the image of the caged lion, Jarrell exposes the hypocrisy and emptiness of contemporary life, revealing how our obsession with material possessions and social status has led us to neglect the deeper aspects of our humanity.

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of captivity, both physical and emotional. The lion, a symbol of wildness and freedom, is trapped in a small cage, unable to roam or hunt or express his natural instincts. The woman, on the other hand, is trapped in a different kind of cage, one of her own making, defined by societal expectations and gender roles. She is a victim of her own privilege, unable to find meaning or purpose in her comfortable existence.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of human loneliness and isolation. Both the woman and the lion are isolated from the world around them, cut off from the natural rhythms of life. The woman is lonely in her own way, trapped in a loveless marriage and disconnected from her own desires and passions. The lion is lonely in a more literal sense, separated from his own kind and forced to live a life of solitary confinement.

A third theme of the poem is the idea of social inequality and injustice. The woman's privilege is contrasted with the lion's captivity, highlighting the vast disparities of power and wealth that define modern society. The poem is a critique of the American Dream, exposing the lie that anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination.

The Language and Style of the Poem

The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a masterful example of poetic language and style. Jarrell's use of imagery and metaphor is evocative and thought-provoking, creating a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. He uses animal imagery to explore the human condition, drawing parallels between the woman and the lion and highlighting the commonalities that exist between all living beings.

The language of the poem is deceptively simple, with short, straightforward sentences and a clear, direct style. However, beneath the surface lies a complex web of meaning and symbolism, inviting the reader to engage with the text on multiple levels. Jarrell's use of irony and satire is particularly effective, revealing the absurdity of contemporary life and exposing the contradictions and hypocrisies of modern society.

The Significance and Legacy of the Poem

The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a timeless masterpiece of American poetry, a work that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of social inequality, human isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that seems indifferent and cruel are as relevant now as they were when the poem was first published.

Through the image of the caged lion, Jarrell offers a powerful critique of modern society and its values. He exposes the emptiness and hypocrisy of contemporary life, revealing how our obsession with material possessions and social status has led us to neglect the deeper aspects of our humanity. In doing so, he offers a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and human connection in a world that too often values profit and power over people.

In conclusion, The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a masterpiece of irony and social commentary, a work of art that continues to inspire and challenge readers today. With its piercing wit and keen eye for detail, the poem offers a powerful critique of modern society and its values, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the world around us. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the human condition and to speak truth to power.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Woman At The Washington Zoo: A Poem That Speaks to the Human Condition

Randall Jarrell's poem, The Woman At The Washington Zoo, is a haunting and evocative piece of literature that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. Written in 1960, the poem is a reflection on the nature of human existence, our relationship with the natural world, and the ways in which we struggle to find meaning and purpose in our lives.

At its core, The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a meditation on the theme of isolation. The poem tells the story of a woman who is trapped in a cage at the zoo, surrounded by animals that are free to roam and explore the world around them. The woman is a metaphor for the human condition, trapped in a world that is often hostile and unforgiving, struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems to offer little in the way of hope or redemption.

The poem begins with a description of the woman in her cage, surrounded by the animals that she watches day in and day out. Jarrell writes, "The crowds were good-natured but firm. Let us see, let us see, they said, but mostly to themselves." This line captures the sense of detachment and isolation that the woman feels, as she is surrounded by people who are curious about her but ultimately indifferent to her plight.

As the poem progresses, Jarrell explores the woman's inner thoughts and feelings, revealing the depth of her despair and loneliness. He writes, "She lies on a concrete bench / With her eyes closed, her knees / Open, her legs crossed at the ankles." This image of the woman lying alone on a bench, with her eyes closed and her body exposed, is a powerful metaphor for the vulnerability and isolation that she feels.

Throughout the poem, Jarrell uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the woman's sense of isolation and despair. He writes, "The animals yawn at her, / They are powerful and impartial / And wish for malice." This image of the animals yawning at the woman, indifferent to her suffering, is a powerful metaphor for the sense of isolation and alienation that many people feel in the modern world.

As the poem draws to a close, Jarrell offers a glimmer of hope for the woman, suggesting that there may be a way out of her cage and her isolation. He writes, "She is like a little bush in a cage; / It may be nothing, or it may be / A small, very small, victory." This image of the woman as a small bush, struggling to grow and thrive in a hostile environment, is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, and the struggle that we all face to find meaning and purpose in our lives.

In conclusion, The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Randall Jarrell captures the sense of isolation and despair that many people feel in the modern world, and offers a glimmer of hope for those who are struggling to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of human existence, or as a commentary on the relationship between humans and the natural world, The Woman At The Washington Zoo is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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