'The Prisoners Of The Little Box' by Vasko Popa

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Homage to the Lame Wolf1987Open little boxWe kiss your bottom and cover
Keyhole and keyThe whole world lies crumpted in you
It resembles everything
Except itselfNot even your clear-sky mother
Would recognize it anymoreThe rust will eat your key
Our world and us there inside
And finally you tooWe kiss your four sides
And four corners
And twenty-four nails
And anything else you haveOpen little box

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Prisoners Of The Little Box: A Deep Dive into Vasko Popa's Poetry

Have you ever felt trapped in a little box, unable to break free? Have you ever experienced the confinement of societal norms and expectations? If you have, then you might relate to Vasko Popa's poem, "The Prisoners Of The Little Box."

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into this thought-provoking poem and explore the complex themes and symbols that Popa employs to convey his message.

Background

Vasko Popa was a Serbian poet who lived from 1922 to 1991. He is renowned for his surrealist poetry that challenged the conventions of language and form. "The Prisoners Of The Little Box" is one of his most famous poems, and it was published in his 1953 collection, "The Little Box."

The poem is a commentary on the restrictions of society and the human struggle for freedom. Through vivid imagery and surreal language, Popa paints a picture of a world where individuals are trapped in a box, unable to escape its confines.

Analysis

The poem begins with a striking image:

In the little box
They keep us locked
Like birds in a cage
Or like files in a rack

Popa immediately establishes a metaphorical comparison between humans and birds or files. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the smallness of the box, suggesting that it is a metaphor for society and its constraints.

The next stanza reinforces this idea:

We talk through the walls
As though we were mad
Each in his own cell
Trapped and isolated

The use of the word "cell" is significant, as it connotes imprisonment and punishment. Popa is suggesting that societal norms and expectations are a form of imprisonment, confining individuals to a limited way of thinking and living.

The third stanza is particularly powerful:

We cannot move
We cannot breathe
We cannot sleep
We cannot grieve

Popa lists four fundamental human actions: movement, breathing, sleeping, and grieving. By saying that the prisoners cannot do these things, he is emphasizing the severity of their confinement. They are not just trapped physically, but emotionally as well.

The next stanza introduces a surreal element:

We eat and drink
And that is all
And when we die
We start again

The idea of starting again after death is reminiscent of reincarnation, but it can also be interpreted as a commentary on the cyclical nature of societal norms. The prisoners are trapped in a never-ending cycle of conformity, unable to break free.

The final two stanzas introduce a glimmer of hope:

But one of us
Has found a key
And when he walks
The others will be free

And we will break
The little box
That kept us locked
Like birds in a cage
Or like files in a rack

The use of the word "key" is significant, as it suggests that freedom is attainable. The fact that only one person has found the key suggests that breaking free from societal constraints is not easy, but it is possible.

The final stanza is particularly impactful, as it brings the poem full circle. The metaphorical comparison between humans and birds or files is repeated, but this time, the prisoners are no longer trapped:

And we will fly
Like birds from a cage
And we will run
Like files from a rack

The use of the words "fly" and "run" suggest movement and freedom, which is a stark contrast to the earlier stanzas where the prisoners were unable to move or breathe.

Interpretation

"The Prisoners Of The Little Box" is a powerful commentary on the human struggle for freedom. Popa uses vivid imagery and surreal language to convey the severity of societal constraints and the emotional and physical imprisonment that results from them.

The poem can be interpreted as a call to action, encouraging individuals to break free from societal norms and expectations. The fact that only one person has found the key suggests that breaking free is not easy, but it is possible. The final stanza suggests that once individuals break free, they will experience a newfound sense of freedom and movement.

Overall, "The Prisoners Of The Little Box" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of confinement, societal norms, and freedom are universal, and its vivid imagery and surreal language make it a memorable and impactful piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of poetry is a vast and diverse one, with countless poets and their works spanning across centuries. However, there are some poems that stand out from the rest, and Vasko Popa's "The Prisoners of the Little Box" is undoubtedly one of them. This poem is a masterpiece of surrealism, and it has captivated readers for decades with its vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes.

"The Prisoners of the Little Box" is a poem that tells the story of a group of prisoners who are trapped inside a small box. The box is so small that the prisoners cannot move or even breathe properly. They are completely trapped and helpless, and they can only wait for their inevitable demise. However, despite their dire situation, the prisoners are not alone. They are accompanied by a group of ants who are also trapped inside the box. The ants are the only ones who can move freely, and they are the only ones who can see what is happening outside the box.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the prisoners' situation. In the first part, Popa describes the physical conditions of the box and the prisoners' struggle to survive. He uses vivid imagery to convey the claustrophobic atmosphere inside the box, and he describes the prisoners' desperate attempts to escape. The ants, on the other hand, are portrayed as indifferent to the prisoners' plight. They move around freely, seemingly oblivious to the suffering of their fellow captives.

In the second part of the poem, Popa explores the psychological effects of the prisoners' confinement. He describes how the prisoners begin to lose their sense of self and their individuality. They become like the ants, moving in unison and losing their ability to think for themselves. Popa uses the metaphor of a "single brain" to describe the prisoners' collective consciousness, and he suggests that they have become like a hive mind, controlled by a single entity.

The third and final part of the poem is perhaps the most surreal and enigmatic. Popa introduces a new character, a "man with a key," who appears to hold the key to the prisoners' freedom. However, the man with the key is also trapped inside the box, and he is unable to use his key to unlock the door. Popa leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as it is unclear whether the man with the key is a savior or a false hope.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Prisoners of the Little Box" is its use of surrealism. Popa employs a range of surrealistic techniques, such as the use of metaphor, symbolism, and dream-like imagery, to create a world that is both familiar and strange. The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions, such as the ants who are both free and trapped, and the prisoners who are both individuals and a collective entity. Popa's use of surrealism allows him to explore complex themes such as identity, freedom, and the human condition in a way that is both imaginative and thought-provoking.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of language. Popa's writing is concise and precise, and he uses simple language to convey complex ideas. His use of repetition and parallelism creates a sense of rhythm and structure, and his use of imagery is vivid and evocative. The poem is also notable for its use of sound, with Popa using alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the language.

In terms of themes, "The Prisoners of the Little Box" is a poem that explores the human condition in a profound and thought-provoking way. The poem raises questions about the nature of freedom, the importance of individuality, and the power of the collective. It also explores the psychological effects of confinement and the ways in which our environment can shape our identity. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human experience, and it offers a unique perspective on the challenges and struggles that we all face in life.

In conclusion, "The Prisoners of the Little Box" is a masterpiece of surrealism that has captivated readers for decades. Popa's use of vivid imagery, surrealistic techniques, and concise language creates a world that is both familiar and strange, and his exploration of complex themes such as identity, freedom, and the human condition is both imaginative and thought-provoking. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest aspects of the human experience, and it is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the art of poetry.

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