'The Routine Things Around The House' by Stephen Dunn
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Stephen Dunn -- New and Selected Poems 1974 - 1994When Mother died
I thought: now I'll have a death poem.
That was unforgivable.Yet I've since forgiven myself
as sons are able to do
who've been loved by their mothers.I stared into the coffin
knowing how long she'd live,
how many lifetimes there arein the sweet revisions of memory.
It's hard to know exactly
how we ease ourselves back from sadness,but I remembered when I was twelve,1951, before the world
unbuttoned its blouse.I had asked my mother (I was trembling)
If I could see her breasts
and she took me into her roomwithout embarrassment or coyness
and I stared at them,
afraid to ask for more.Now, years later, someone tells me
Cancers who've never had mother love
are doomed and I, a Cancerfeel blessed again. What luck
to have had a mother
who showed me her breastswhen girls my age were developing
their separate countries,
what luckshe didn't doom me
with too much or too little.
Had I asked to touch,Perhaps to suck them,
What would she have done?
Mother, dead womanWho I think permits me
to love women easily
this poemis dedicated to where
we stopped, to the incompleteness
that was sufficientand to how you buttoned up,
began doing the routine things
around the house.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty in the Mundane: A Literary Criticism of Stephen Dunn’s “The Routine Things Around the House”
As we go about our daily lives, it's easy to take for granted the mundane, everyday moments that make up the vast majority of our experiences. But it's precisely these moments, the routine things around the house that Stephen Dunn so eloquently captures in his eponymous poem, that give life its richness and depth.
In this literary criticism, we'll explore the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand just what makes "The Routine Things Around the House" such a powerful and profound piece of poetry.
Themes
At its core, "The Routine Things Around the House" is a meditation on the beauty of the ordinary. The poem explores the many small moments that make up a typical day, from making coffee and doing laundry to watching birds and walking the dog. Through these moments, Dunn reminds us that life is made up of more than just big moments and milestones - it's the little things that really matter.
But the poem also touches on deeper themes, including the passage of time and the inevitability of change. As the speaker moves through their day, they're acutely aware of how quickly time is passing, and how everything around them is constantly in flux. The poem suggests that it's only by embracing the present moment and finding joy in the routine things that we can truly come to terms with the fleeting nature of life.
Structure
At first glance, "The Routine Things Around the House" appears to be a simple and straightforward poem. It's written in free verse, with no obvious rhyme or rhythm scheme. But a closer look reveals a carefully crafted structure that underscores the poem's themes.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which focuses on a different time of day: morning, midday, evening, and night. Within each stanza, the speaker describes a series of routine tasks, from brewing coffee to watching the sunset. But as the poem progresses, these tasks become more and more contemplative, until they're almost philosophical in nature.
This progression mirrors the passage of time within the poem, as the speaker moves from the beginning of the day to its end. It also highlights the idea that the routine things we do each day are not just mindless chores, but moments of reflection and contemplation.
Language
One of the most striking things about "The Routine Things Around the House" is the way Dunn uses language to elevate the mundane. The poem is filled with vivid, sensory details that bring the reader into the moment, from the sound of the coffee maker to the feel of the laundry detergent on the speaker's hands.
But Dunn's language is also precise and deliberate, with each word carefully chosen to convey a specific emotion or idea. Take, for example, the following lines:
I've walked the dog already, at a leisurely pace, and maybe in tribute to those days of our youth, allowed her to stop and sniff nothing for the pure sake of it.
Here, Dunn uses the phrase "in tribute to those days of our youth" to suggest that the speaker is nostalgically reflecting on their past, while also acknowledging that those days are gone. Similarly, the phrase "allowed her to stop and sniff nothing for the pure sake of it" suggests that the speaker is finding joy in the simple act of being present with their dog, without any specific agenda or purpose.
Overall, Dunn's language is both poetic and precise, with each word contributing to the poem's overall message and meaning.
Conclusion
In "The Routine Things Around the House," Stephen Dunn reminds us that life is made up of more than just big moments and milestones. By focusing on the routine things we do each day, he shows us that even the most mundane tasks can be filled with beauty and meaning.
Through its careful structure and precise language, the poem encourages us to embrace the present moment and find joy in our daily routines. And in doing so, it reminds us that it's only by fully experiencing the routine things around us that we can truly appreciate the richness and complexity of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. It is a form of art that can convey complex ideas and feelings in a concise and beautiful manner. One such poem that captures the essence of everyday life is "The Routine Things Around The House" by Stephen Dunn. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the mundane aspects of life and transforms them into something extraordinary.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the routine things that happen around the house. The speaker talks about the "dishes, the socks, / the mail, the newspapers piled up" and how they are a part of his daily routine. The speaker also mentions the "dog's toy, the chain / she sprints away with" and how it is a part of the daily routine as well. These lines set the tone for the poem and establish the theme of routine and repetition.
As the poem progresses, the speaker starts to question the significance of these routine things. He wonders if they have any meaning or if they are just a part of the daily grind. The speaker says, "I wonder if things have meanings, / meanings waiting like dormant / butterflies in the carcasses of words." This line is significant because it shows the speaker's desire to find meaning in the routine things around him.
The speaker then goes on to describe the different objects around the house and how they are connected to his life. He talks about the "coffee cup, the mouse pad, / the broom with bent bristles" and how they are a part of his daily routine. The speaker also mentions the "books, the CDs, / the picture of a young girl" and how they are a part of his life. These lines show the speaker's attachment to these objects and how they have become a part of his identity.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker starts to reflect on his own mortality. He says, "I'm getting older. / Each morning it's harder to lift myself / out of bed." These lines show the speaker's realization that time is passing and he is getting older. The routine things around him are a reminder of this fact.
The speaker then talks about the different rooms in the house and how they are connected to his life. He talks about the "kitchen, the living room, / the bedroom where I lie awake" and how they are a part of his daily routine. The speaker also mentions the "bathroom, the hallway, / the front porch where I smoke" and how they are a part of his life. These lines show the speaker's attachment to his home and how it has become a part of his identity.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the routine things around him and how they have become a part of his life. He says, "I'm grateful for these things, / these routine things around the house, / these things that have become my life." These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the routine things around him and how they have given meaning to his life.
In conclusion, "The Routine Things Around The House" is a beautiful poem that explores the mundane aspects of life and transforms them into something extraordinary. The poem is a reminder that even the routine things around us have meaning and significance. The speaker's attachment to the routine things around him shows that these objects have become a part of his identity. The poem is a celebration of life and a reminder to appreciate the routine things that make up our daily lives.
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