'Intrusion' by Denise Levertov

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


After I had cut off my hands
and grown new ones

something my former hands had longed for
came and asked to be rocked.

After my plucked out eyes
had withered, and new ones grown

something my former eyes had wept for
came asking to be pitied.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Intrusion: A Critical Analysis

Wow, where do I even begin with this one? Denise Levertov's "Intrusion" is a stunning poem that explores themes of identity, power, and oppression. At just 11 lines, it packs an incredible punch, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and a lot to think about. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll be breaking down the poem line by line and discussing its meaning, as well as examining the techniques Levertov uses to create such a powerful and memorable piece of poetry.

Before we get into the meat of the poem, let's take a look at the title: "Intrusion." What does it suggest? Something entering where it's not supposed to be, something unwelcome, something invasive. Right away, we know we're in for a poem that's going to be exploring boundaries and crossing lines.

It is believed by many that there are only two continents in this hemisphere: one is called North, the other South.

The poem begins with a statement that immediately sets up a dichotomy. "It is believed by many / that there are only two / continents in this hemisphere..." We're already being told that there are only two options, two ways of being. This is setting up a power dynamic, with one group (North) being privileged over the other (South). We're already seeing how the issue of identity is going to play a role in this poem - who gets to define what "North" and "South" mean, and what power do those definitions hold?

But they are wrong. There is a third continent, and it has always been there, where the other two meet.

Here's where we start to see the real meat of the poem. "But they are wrong." That's a powerful statement, especially when we don't know who "they" are. This line signals that the poem is going to be pushing back against established power structures and questioning the status quo. And what's this third continent? It's where "the other two meet." This is a metaphorical continent, a space between North and South, where identities and cultures blend and intersect. It's important to note that Levertov doesn't name this third continent - it's left up to the reader to interpret what it might be. Is it a physical place or a metaphorical one? Is it a place of harmony or conflict? The ambiguity of this line is part of what makes the poem so powerful.

They overlap. Their languages are similar, their music almost the same, their blood flows from one source.

This stanza is where we really start to see Levertov's skill as a poet. Notice the repetition of the word "their" - it creates a sense of unity and connection between North and South. And yet, there are still differences - they only "overlap," not merge completely. The use of the word "almost" in relation to the music is also important - it suggests that while there are similarities, there are still differences that separate the two. And yet, despite these differences, there's a sense that North and South are still connected, still part of the same whole. The final line of this stanza, "their blood flows from one source," is a powerful metaphor for this connection. Blood is often used as a symbol of identity and kinship, and here it suggests that despite the differences between North and South, they are ultimately part of the same human family.

But in the marketplace of good intentions this third continent has been omitted from all maps.

This stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. "But in the marketplace / of good intentions..." Here, Levertov is calling out those who claim to have good intentions but are still perpetuating oppressive power structures. The "marketplace" suggests capitalism and consumerism - these good intentions are being bought and sold, but at what cost? And what's being left out? The third continent, the space where North and South intersect. This omission is deliberate, and it's part of what's keeping these power structures in place.

The difference between North and South is a man-made invention.

This is the final stanza of the poem, and it's a powerful one. Levertov is asserting that the difference between North and South is not natural or inherent - it's something we've made up. This is an important statement, especially when we consider the ways in which race and nationality are often used to justify oppressive power structures. The fact that these differences are man-made means that they can be undone, that they don't have to be the way things are forever.

So, overall, what can we take away from "Intrusion"? It's a poem that's grappling with big themes - identity, power, oppression, and the ways in which we can challenge the status quo. Levertov's use of language is masterful, from the repetition of words and phrases to the ambiguity of certain lines. The poem leaves us with a sense of unease, but also a sense of hope - if the differences between North and South are man-made, then perhaps they can be unmade. This is a poem that's just as relevant today as it was when it was written, and it's a testament to the power of poetry to challenge and inspire.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Intrusion: A Poem of Power and Vulnerability

Denise Levertov's poem "Intrusion" is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of vulnerability, power, and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and a masterful use of language, Levertov creates a world that is both familiar and strange, inviting the reader to explore the depths of their own emotions and experiences.

The poem begins with a description of a "darkness" that "intrudes" upon the speaker's life. This darkness is not a physical entity, but rather a metaphor for the feelings of fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability that can arise in the face of life's challenges. The speaker describes this darkness as "a weight, a pressure, a force," suggesting that it is something that is both external and internal, something that is both imposed upon us and generated from within.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the nature of this darkness, describing it as "a presence, a being, a thing." This personification of the darkness gives it a sense of agency and power, suggesting that it is not simply a passive force but an active participant in the speaker's life. The speaker describes the darkness as "a thief, a liar, a murderer," suggesting that it is something that can steal our joy, deceive us, and even kill us if we allow it to.

Despite the power of the darkness, however, the speaker refuses to be defeated by it. Instead, she asserts her own agency and power, declaring that "I am not afraid." This declaration is a powerful affirmation of the speaker's own strength and resilience, suggesting that even in the face of the most daunting challenges, we have the power to overcome.

Throughout the poem, Levertov uses vivid imagery and sensory language to create a world that is both tangible and ethereal. The darkness is described as "a shadow, a mist, a fog," suggesting that it is something that is both elusive and pervasive. The speaker describes the darkness as "a weight on my chest, a hand on my throat," evoking a sense of physical discomfort and constriction that is both palpable and unsettling.

At the same time, Levertov uses language that is rich with metaphor and symbolism, inviting the reader to explore the deeper meanings of the poem. The darkness is described as "a raven, a crow, a vulture," suggesting that it is something that is both ominous and predatory. The speaker describes herself as "a tree, a rock, a mountain," suggesting that she is something that is strong and enduring, rooted in the earth and able to withstand the storms of life.

Ultimately, "Intrusion" is a poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity and nuance. It is a poem that acknowledges the darkness and vulnerability that we all face, but also celebrates the strength and resilience that lies within us. Through its vivid imagery and masterful use of language, it invites us to explore the depths of our own emotions and experiences, and to find the courage to face whatever challenges come our way.

In conclusion, "Intrusion" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of vulnerability, power, and the human experience are timeless, and its language and imagery are as vivid and evocative as ever. Whether read as a meditation on the challenges of life or as a celebration of the human spirit, this poem is a testament to the power of language to capture the complexities of the human experience and to inspire us to greater heights of understanding and empathy.

Editor Recommended Sites

Learn Go: Learn programming in Go programming language by Google. A complete course. Tutorials on packages
Learn webgpu: Learn webgpu programming for 3d graphics on the browser
Best Datawarehouse: Data warehouse best practice across the biggest players, redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouse
Cloud Lakehouse: Lakehouse implementations for the cloud, the new evolution of datalakes. Data mesh tutorials
LLM Model News: Large Language model news from across the internet. Learn the latest on llama, alpaca

Recommended Similar Analysis

My Papa's Waltz by Theodore Roethke analysis
Once I Pass'd Through A Populous City by Walt Whitman analysis
Tide Rises, the Tide Falls, The by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Blossom , The by William Blake analysis
The Dungeon by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
The Facts In The Case Of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Mack The Knife by Bertolt Brecht analysis
Come Up From The Fields, Father by Walt Whitman analysis
The Sun Rising by John Donne analysis
On A Picture Of A Black Centaur By Edmund Dulac by William Butler Yeats analysis