'Stepping Backward' by Adrienne Rich

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Good-by to you whom I shall see tomorrow,
Next year and when I'm fifty; still good-by.
This is the leave we never really take.
If you were dead or gone to live in China
The event might draw your stature in my mind.
I should be forced to look upon you whole
The way we look upon the things we lose.
We see each other daily and in segments;
Parting might make us meet anew, entire.You asked me once, and I could give no answer,
How far dare we throw off the daily ruse,
Official treacheries of face and name,
Have out our true identity? I could hazard
An answer now, if you are asking still.
We are a small and lonely human race
Showing no sign of mastering solitude
Out on this stony planet that we farm.
The most that we can do for one another
Is let our blunders and our blind mischances
Argue a certain brusque abrupt compassion.
We might as well be truthful.I should say
They're luckiest who know they're not unique;
But only art or common interchange
Can teach that kindest truth.And even art
Can only hint at what disturbed a Melville
Or calmed a Mahler's frenzy; you and I
Still look from separate windows every morning
Upon the same white daylight in the square.And when we come into each other's rooms
Once in awhile, encumbered and self-conscious,
We hover awkwardly about the threshold
And usually regret the visit later.
Perhaps the harshest fact is, only lovers--
And once in a while two with the grace of lovers--
Unlearn that clumsiness of rare intrusion
And let each other freely come and go.
Most of us shut too quickly into cupboards
The margin-scribbled books, the dried geranium,
The penny horoscope, letters never mailed.
The door may open, but the room is altered;
Not the same room we look from night and day.It takes a late and slowly blooming wisdom
To learn that those we marked infallible
Are tragi-comic stumblers like ourselves.
The knowledge breeds reserve.We walk on tiptoe,
Demanding more than we know how to render.
Two-edged discovery hunts us finally down;
The human act will make us real again,
And then perhaps we come to know each other.Let us return to imperfection's school.
No longer wandering after Plato's ghost,
Seeking the garden where all fruit is flawless,
We must at last renounce that ultimate blue
And take a walk in other kinds of weather.
The sourest apple makes its wry announcement
That imperfection has a certain tang.
Maybe we shouldn't turn our pockets out
To the last crumb or lingering bit of fluff,
But all we can confess of what we are
Has in it the defeat of isolation--
If not our own, then someone's, anyway.So I come back to saying this good-by,
A sort of ceremony of my own,
This stepping backward for another glance.
Perhaps you'll say we need no ceremony,
Because we know each other, crack and flaw,
Like two irregular stones that fit together.
Yet still good-by, because we live by inches
And only sometimes see the full dimension.
Your stature's one I want to memorize--
Your whole level of being, to impose
On any other comers, man or woman.
I'd ask them that they carry what they are
With your particular bearing, as you wear
The flaws that make you both yourself and human.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Stepping Backward by Adrienne Rich: An Interpretation

When Adrienne Rich wrote "Stepping Backward," she was already well-established as a poet and an activist. The poem, which was published in 1967, is a meditation on time and memory, and it reflects Rich's growing political consciousness. It is a deeply personal poem, but it also speaks to larger social and political issues of the time. In this literary criticism, I will explore the themes, motifs, and symbols in "Stepping Backward" and offer an interpretation of the poem.

Themes

At its core, "Stepping Backward" is a poem about time and memory. The speaker is reflecting on her past and considering the ways in which memory can distort our perceptions of the present. As she puts it, "We move above the moving tree / In light upon the figured leaf / And hear upon the sodden floor / Below, the boarhound and the boar / Pursue their pattern round and round" (lines 1-5). The imagery here is powerful: the speaker is observing the world from a distance, as if she is outside of time itself. She sees the same patterns repeating over and over again, and she is acutely aware of the passage of time.

The poem is also about the ways in which memory can be unreliable. As the speaker puts it, "I cannot go back to your love / And the white cottage where we lived" (lines 11-12). She is haunted by memories of a lost love and a lost home, but she knows that these memories are not entirely accurate. They have been distorted by time and by her own perceptions. The speaker is struggling to reconcile her past with her present, and she is acutely aware of the ways in which memory can shape our understanding of the world.

Finally, "Stepping Backward" is a political poem. The speaker is reflecting on her own experiences as a woman and a feminist, and she is exploring the ways in which patriarchy has shaped her life. As she puts it, "I have been woman for a long time / Beware my smile / I am treacherous with old magic" (lines 27-29). The speaker is reclaiming her power and her agency, and she is warning the reader not to underestimate her.

Motifs

There are several motifs that run throughout "Stepping Backward." One of the most prominent is the motif of water. The speaker describes "the river which is time" (line 21) and reflects on how "the water turns a long way round / Over the hardwood floor" (lines 14-15). Water is a powerful symbol of time and memory in the poem. It flows inexorably forward, but it also has the power to erode and to change the landscape. The speaker is acutely aware of how time and memory can be both powerful and destructive forces.

Another important motif in the poem is the motif of light and dark. The speaker describes how "we move above the moving tree / In light upon the figured leaf" (lines 1-2) and reflects on how "the light / Wraps us in its mortal flame" (lines 20-21). Light is a symbol of clarity and understanding in the poem, while darkness represents confusion and uncertainty. The speaker is constantly trying to find her way through the darkness of memory and time.

Symbols

There are several important symbols in "Stepping Backward." One of the most significant is the river. As the speaker puts it, "The river is moving" (line 6). The river is a powerful symbol of time and change. It flows ever forward, eroding the landscape and shaping the world around it. The speaker is acutely aware of how time can be both a powerful force and a destructive one.

Another important symbol in the poem is the boarhound and the boar. As the speaker puts it, "Below, the boarhound and the boar / Pursue their pattern round and round" (lines 4-5). The boarhound and the boar represent the cycles of life and death. They are a reminder that everything in life is cyclical and that nothing can last forever. The speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which time and memory can distort our understanding of these cycles.

Finally, the white cottage is an important symbol in the poem. The speaker reflects on how "I cannot go back to your love / And the white cottage where we lived" (lines 11-12). The white cottage represents a lost love and a lost home. It is a symbol of the speaker's past, but it is also a reminder of how memory can be unreliable. The speaker is struggling to reconcile her past with her present, and she is acutely aware of the ways in which memory can shape our understanding of the world.

Interpretation

"Stepping Backward" is a powerful meditation on time, memory, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the world. The speaker is reflecting on her own experiences as a woman and a feminist, and she is exploring the ways in which patriarchy has shaped her life. She is also struggling to reconcile her past with her present, and she is acutely aware of the ways in which memory can be unreliable.

At its core, "Stepping Backward" is a poem about the cyclical nature of life. The river, the boarhound and the boar, and the white cottage all represent the cycles of life and death. The speaker is acutely aware of how everything in life is cyclical and how nothing can last forever. She is struggling to come to terms with this reality, and she is trying to find a way to move forward in spite of it.

Finally, "Stepping Backward" is a political poem. The speaker is reclaiming her power and her agency, and she is warning the reader not to underestimate her. She is treacherous with old magic, and she is not afraid to use her power to fight for what she believes in. In this way, "Stepping Backward" is a powerful manifesto for women and for feminists everywhere.

In conclusion, "Stepping Backward" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of time, memory, and the cyclical nature of life. It is also a political poem that speaks to larger social and political issues of the time. Through its powerful imagery, motifs, and symbols, "Stepping Backward" reveals the complex interplay between memory, time, and power. It is a poem that deserves to be read and reread, as it continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Stepping Backward: A Journey Through Time and Self-Discovery

Adrienne Rich's Poetry Stepping Backward is a masterpiece that takes the reader on a journey through time and self-discovery. This poem is a reflection of the poet's life and the changes she has undergone over the years. The poem is divided into three parts, each representing a different phase of the poet's life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

The first part of the poem is titled "The School Among the Ruins." This section represents the poet's childhood and her early experiences with poetry. The title itself is a metaphor for the poet's life, as she grew up in a world that was in ruins. The imagery used in this section is vivid and powerful, as the poet describes the "crumbling walls" and "broken glass" of her childhood home. The use of imagery creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that has passed.

The second part of the poem is titled "The Will to Change." This section represents the poet's adolescence and her struggle to find her place in the world. The title itself is a reflection of the poet's desire to change herself and the world around her. The imagery used in this section is more abstract, as the poet describes the "darkness" and "silence" that she feels inside. The use of metaphor creates a sense of isolation and confusion, as the poet struggles to find her identity.

The third and final part of the poem is titled "Sources." This section represents the poet's adulthood and her acceptance of herself and her place in the world. The title itself is a reflection of the poet's recognition of the sources of her strength and inspiration. The imagery used in this section is more positive, as the poet describes the "sunlight" and "green leaves" that surround her. The use of imagery creates a sense of hope and renewal, as the poet embraces her true self.

The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem is divided into three parts, each with a different title and theme. The use of titles creates a sense of progression and development, as the poet moves from her childhood to her adulthood. The use of repetition is also significant, as the poet repeats the phrase "stepping backward" throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of reflection and introspection, as the poet looks back on her life and the changes she has undergone.

The use of literary devices is also significant in this poem. The poet uses metaphor, imagery, and repetition to create a sense of nostalgia, isolation, and hope. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. For example, the use of the metaphor "the school among the ruins" creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that has passed. The use of imagery is also effective, as it creates a sense of visual and emotional depth in the poem. For example, the use of the imagery "sunlight" and "green leaves" creates a sense of hope and renewal in the final section of the poem.

In conclusion, Adrienne Rich's Poetry Stepping Backward is a masterpiece that takes the reader on a journey through time and self-discovery. The poem is divided into three parts, each representing a different phase of the poet's life. The use of titles, repetition, and literary devices creates a sense of progression and development in the poem. The use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of nostalgia, isolation, and hope. This poem is a reflection of the poet's life and the changes she has undergone over the years. It is a powerful and moving work of art that will resonate with readers for years to come.

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