'Going Home' by Wislawa Szymborska
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He came home. Said nothing.
It was clear, though, that something had gone wrong.
He lay down fully dressed.
Pulled the blanket over his head.
Tucked up his knees.
He's nearly forty, but not at the moment.
He exists just as he did inside his mother's womb,
clad in seven walls of skin, in sheltered darkness.
Tomorrow he'll give a lecture
on homeostasis in metagalactic cosmonautics.
For now, though, he has curled up and gone to sleep.
Translated by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh
Editor 1 Interpretation
Going Home by Wislawa Szymborska
Have you ever been in a situation where you have to leave behind something you love or cherish? How did you feel at that moment? Did you feel a sense of loss or sadness? Did you feel relieved or happy? Wislawa Szymborska, a Polish poet, captures this feeling in her poem "Going Home." In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in this classic poem.
Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a brief look at the poet, Wislawa Szymborska. She was born in Poland in 1923 and received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1996. Her poems often dealt with the complexities of life and the human condition. Going Home was first published in 1957, and its simple yet powerful message resonates even today.
Analysis
Going Home is a short, six-line poem that captures a moment of transition. The speaker is returning home after being away for some time. As the title suggests, the poem is about going home, but it is not just a physical journey. It is also a journey of the heart and the mind.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come. The speaker says, "He came home." This simple statement suggests that the speaker is not just physically returning home, but also emotionally returning home. The use of the past tense implies that the speaker has been away for a while, and this return is significant. It also suggests that the speaker is not alone; someone else has come with him.
The second line of the poem is, "Said nothing." This line is important because it sets up the tension that runs throughout the poem. Why did the speaker say nothing? Was he too tired or too emotional to speak? Was he afraid of what he might say? Or did he simply not have anything to say? Whatever the reason, the silence creates a sense of unease and anticipation.
The third line of the poem is, "Started looking for his book." This line is interesting because it gives the impression that the speaker is not really home yet. He is physically present, but his mind is elsewhere. He is looking for something that he left behind, something that he needs to complete the transition back to his old life.
The fourth line of the poem is, "But she said." This line introduces the other person in the poem, the one who came with the speaker. It also sets up the conflict that will be resolved in the final two lines of the poem. The use of the pronoun "she" suggests that the other person is female, but we do not know who she is or what her relationship to the speaker is.
The fifth line of the poem is, "Take your coat off." This line is significant because it is the first direct command in the poem. The speaker is being told what to do, and this suggests that he is not quite in control of the situation. He has returned home, but he is not yet back in charge.
The final line of the poem is, "Dry yourself." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is wet, perhaps from rain or snow. It also suggests that he is not yet comfortable in his own home. He needs to dry himself before he can truly settle in. The use of the word "yourself" is also significant because it emphasizes the speaker's individuality. He is not part of a group; he is a singular entity.
Themes
Now that we have analyzed the poem line by line let's take a look at the themes that emerge from it.
Homecoming
The most obvious theme of the poem is homecoming. The speaker has been away for some time, and he is now returning home. This return is significant because it represents a return to the familiar, to what is known and comfortable. However, the poem suggests that this return is not easy. The speaker is not immediately comfortable; he needs to take off his coat and dry himself. This suggests that the transition back to his old life will take some time.
Silence
The use of silence in the poem is also significant. The speaker says nothing when he arrives home, and this creates a sense of unease and anticipation. We do not know what he is thinking or feeling, and this makes us curious. The silence also suggests that the speaker is not yet comfortable in his old life. He has been away for some time, and he needs time to adjust to being back.
Control
The final theme of the poem is control. The speaker is not in control of the situation when he returns home. He is being told what to do, and this suggests that he is not yet back in charge. However, the poem suggests that this will change. The speaker will take off his coat and dry himself, and he will become more comfortable in his own home. This suggests that he will regain control over his own life.
Conclusion
Going Home is a deceptively simple poem that captures a moment of transition. The speaker has returned home after being away for some time, and the poem captures the tension and unease that comes with such a return. The poem is significant because it captures a universal experience. We have all had to leave behind something we love or cherish, and we have all had to return to what is familiar. The poem suggests that this transition is not easy, but it is necessary. It also suggests that we will regain control over our own lives once we have made this transition. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human condition in just a few short lines.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Going Home: A Poem of Reflection and Nostalgia
Wislawa Szymborska's Going Home is a classic poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is a beautiful depiction of the human experience of returning home after a long journey. It is a celebration of the familiar and the ordinary, and a reminder of the beauty that lies in the mundane.
The poem begins with the speaker's arrival at their destination, their home. The speaker describes the familiar sights and sounds that greet them upon their return. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the essence of the speaker's surroundings. The speaker describes the "familiar walls" and the "familiar furniture" that make up their home. The use of the word "familiar" is significant as it highlights the comfort and security that comes with returning to a place that is known and loved.
The poem also captures the sounds of the speaker's home. The speaker describes the "rustling of curtains" and the "creaking of stairs." These sounds are not only familiar to the speaker but also evoke a sense of comfort and security. The use of sound in the poem is significant as it adds to the sensory experience of the reader. The reader can almost hear the rustling of the curtains and the creaking of the stairs, which creates a more immersive reading experience.
The poem also captures the sense of nostalgia that comes with returning home. The speaker describes the "old photographs" and the "faded wallpaper" that adorn their home. These objects are not only familiar to the speaker but also evoke memories of the past. The use of the word "old" and "faded" highlights the passage of time and the transience of life. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and we should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones.
The poem also captures the sense of reflection that comes with returning home. The speaker describes the "memories" that flood their mind as they walk through their home. These memories are not only personal but also universal. The poem is a reminder that we all have memories that shape who we are and that these memories are worth cherishing.
The poem also captures the sense of belonging that comes with returning home. The speaker describes the "family" that greets them upon their return. The use of the word "family" is significant as it highlights the importance of human connection. The poem is a reminder that we all need a sense of belonging and that our homes and families provide us with that sense of belonging.
The poem also captures the sense of gratitude that comes with returning home. The speaker describes the "warmth" and "love" that they feel as they are welcomed back into their home. The use of the words "warmth" and "love" highlights the importance of gratitude and appreciation. The poem is a reminder that we should be grateful for the people and things that we have in our lives.
The poem also captures the sense of hope that comes with returning home. The speaker describes the "open window" and the "bright sky" that they see as they look out of their home. The use of the words "open" and "bright" highlights the sense of possibility and hope that comes with returning home. The poem is a reminder that no matter how difficult life may be, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
In conclusion, Going Home is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is a celebration of the familiar and the ordinary, and a reminder of the beauty that lies in the mundane. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and we should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones. The poem is a reminder that we all need a sense of belonging and that our homes and families provide us with that sense of belonging. The poem is a reminder that we should be grateful for the people and things that we have in our lives. The poem is a reminder that no matter how difficult life may be, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
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