'Tortures' by Wislawa Szymborska
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Nothing has changed.
The body is susceptible to pain,
it must eat and breathe air and sleep,
it has thin skin and blood right underneath,
an adequate stock of teeth and nails,
its bones are breakable, its joints are stretchable.
In tortures all this is taken into account.
Nothing has changed.
The body shudders as it shuddered
before the founding of Rome and after,
in the twentieth century before and after Christ.
Tortures are as they were, it's just the earth that's grown smaller,
and whatever happens seems right on the other side of the wall.
Nothing has changed. It's just that there are more people,
besides the old offenses new ones have appeared,
real, imaginary, temporary, and none,
but the howl with which the body responds to them,
was, is and ever will be a howl of innocence
according to the time-honored scale and tonality.
Nothing has changed. Maybe just the manners, ceremonies, dances.
Yet the movement of the hands in protecting the head is the same.
The body writhes, jerks and tries to pull away,
its legs give out, it falls, the knees fly up,
it turns blue, swells, salivates and bleeds.
Nothing has changed. Except for the course of boundaries,
the line of forests, coasts, deserts and glaciers.
Amid these landscapes traipses the soul,
disappears, comes back, draws nearer, moves away,
alien to itself, elusive, at times certain, at others uncertain of its own existence,
while the body is and is and is
and has no place of its own.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tortures by Wislawa Szymborska
A literary criticism and interpretation
Tortures is a poem by Wislawa Szymborska, the Nobel laureate in Literature of 1996. It is a thought-provoking piece that can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader's perspective. The poem talks about the various forms of torture that humans inflict on each other, and the moral implications of these actions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, literary techniques, and hidden meanings, to better understand the poem and its relevance in today's world.
The Themes of Tortures
The poem Tortures touches on several themes that are relevant to today's world. The most apparent theme is the theme of torture, and the various forms it can take. The poem describes torture not only as a physical act but also as a mental one, where people use words to inflict pain on each other. The poem also touches on the theme of power, and how those in power can use torture to maintain their dominance over others. The theme of morality is also present, as the poem questions the morality of torture and the people who inflict it.
The Literary Techniques Used in Tortures
One of the most notable literary techniques used in Tortures is the use of metaphor. The poem uses metaphor to describe the various forms of torture, comparing them to mundane objects and actions. For example, the line "They remove flesh with steel or flame/with a handkerchief wrapped around their heads they suffocate with smoke" compares the act of removing flesh and suffocating someone with smoke to everyday actions like using steel or a handkerchief. This use of metaphor makes the poem more relatable and helps to emphasize the horror of the actions being described.
The poem also uses repetition, with the phrase "most often" being repeated throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the frequency of torture in society and highlights the poem's message that torture is a common occurrence. The poem also uses enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line, without a pause or punctuation. This creates a sense of urgency and tension in the poem, as the lines flow seamlessly into each other, creating a sense of continuity and urgency.
The Hidden Meanings in Tortures
Tortures is a poem that is open to multiple interpretations, and there are several hidden meanings present in the poem. One of the most significant hidden meanings is the poem's commentary on society's view of torture. The poem questions why we allow torture to happen, and why we do not speak out against it more often. The line "We do not want to hear/without hearing we do not want to pass by/without passing by we do not want to glance down/without glancing down we do not want to face it" suggests that society is complicit in the act of torture, by choosing to ignore it and turn a blind eye.
Another hidden meaning in Tortures is the poem's commentary on the power dynamics present in society. The poem suggests that those in power have the ability to inflict torture on others, and that this is a way of maintaining their dominance. The line "They who prepare green grasses for the dying/who name diseases without a remedy/they who bury in the ground/their own mistakes and coffins with the dead" suggests that the people in power have the ability to create the circumstances that lead to torture and suffering.
The Relevance of Tortures Today
Tortures was written in a time when political repression and torture were prevalent in many countries worldwide. However, the themes of the poem are still relevant today, as torture and abuse of power continue to be issues in many parts of the world. The poem's message that society is complicit in the act of torture is still relevant, as many people still choose to ignore or turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
Furthermore, the poem's commentary on power dynamics is still relevant, as those in power continue to use torture and abuse of power to maintain their dominance. The poem's message that torture is a moral issue is also still relevant, as the use of torture continues to be debated in many countries worldwide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tortures is a thought-provoking poem that touches on several themes relevant to today's world. The poem's use of metaphor, repetition, and enjambment make it a powerful and effective piece of literature. The poem's hidden meanings and commentary on society's view of torture and power dynamics make it a timeless piece that is still relevant today. The poem's message that torture is a moral issue that society needs to address is one that we should all take to heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tortures by Wislawa Szymborska is a classic poem that delves into the depths of human cruelty and the pain that it inflicts on the victims. The poem is a powerful commentary on the atrocities committed by humans against each other, and the lasting impact that these actions have on the psyche of the victims.
The poem begins with a stark and chilling image of a man being tortured. The man is tied to a chair, and his captors are using various methods to inflict pain on him. The first method mentioned is the use of a whip, which is used to lash the man's back. This image is particularly gruesome, as the reader can imagine the sound of the whip cracking against the man's skin, and the pain that he must be feeling.
The second method mentioned is the use of a hot iron. This image is equally disturbing, as the reader can imagine the sizzling sound of the iron as it is pressed against the man's flesh, and the smell of burning skin. The use of a hot iron is a particularly cruel method of torture, as it leaves permanent scars on the victim's body.
The third method mentioned is the use of a saw. This image is perhaps the most gruesome of all, as the reader can imagine the sound of the saw as it cuts through the man's bones and flesh. The use of a saw is a particularly brutal method of torture, as it is slow and painful, and can take hours or even days to complete.
As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the physical pain inflicted on the man to the psychological pain that he is experiencing. The man is described as being "alone with his agony", which suggests that he is not only in physical pain, but also in emotional pain. The use of the word "alone" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the man is isolated and cut off from the rest of the world, and that he has no one to turn to for help or comfort.
The poem also explores the idea of the torturer and the victim. The torturer is described as being "bored" and "indifferent", which suggests that he takes pleasure in inflicting pain on others. The victim, on the other hand, is described as being "innocent" and "helpless", which suggests that he is a victim of circumstance, and that he has done nothing to deserve the pain that he is experiencing.
The poem also explores the idea of power and control. The torturer is described as having "power over life and death", which suggests that he has complete control over the victim's fate. The victim, on the other hand, is described as being "at the mercy of his tormentor", which suggests that he has no control over his own fate, and that he is completely at the mercy of his captors.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The man is described as being "unable to forget" the pain that he has experienced, which suggests that the impact of the torture will stay with him for the rest of his life. The poem ends with the haunting image of the man "crying out for his executioner", which suggests that he has given up all hope of escape, and that he is resigned to his fate.
In conclusion, Tortures by Wislawa Szymborska is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the depths of human cruelty and the lasting impact that it has on the victims. The poem is a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by humans against each other, and the need for compassion and empathy in a world that can often be cruel and unforgiving.
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