'Men At Forty' by Donald Justice

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Men at forty
Learn to close softly
The doors to rooms they will not be
Coming back to.

At rest on a stair landing,
They feel it
Moving beneath them now like the deck of a ship,
Though the swell is gentle.

And deep in mirrors
They rediscover
The face of the boy as he practices tying
His father's tie there in secret

And the face of that father,
Still warm with the mystery of lather.
They are more fathers than sons themselves now.
Something is filling them, something

That is like the twilight sound
Of the crickets, immense,
Filling the woods at the foot of the slope
Behind their mortgaged houses.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Men at Forty is a poem that delves into the concept of middle age, and the various emotions and experiences that come with it. Written by Donald Justice, the poem is a reflection on the passage of time, and the way in which it transforms us. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze various aspects of the poem, including its structure, language, themes, and imagery.

Structure

The poem is structured into three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. This form lends itself well to the theme of the poem, as it creates a sense of balance and symmetry. This structure also emphasizes the idea of transition, as each stanza represents a different stage of life. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement, which reflects the passage of time.

Language

The language used in Men at Forty is simple and straightforward, but also rich in meaning. The poem is written in the first person, which creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the speaker. The use of repetition, such as the phrase "we are" in the first stanza, emphasizes the universality of the experience of aging. The use of metaphor, such as the comparison of the body to a "book of myths," adds depth and richness to the poem. The language is also highly sensory, with references to sight, sound, and touch, which creates a vivid and evocative picture in the mind of the reader.

Themes

The main theme of Men at Forty is the passage of time and the experience of middle age. The poem explores the various emotions and experiences that come with this stage of life, including regret, nostalgia, and a sense of loss. The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, with references to the passing of time and the inevitability of death. Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of transformation, as the speaker reflects on the way in which he has changed over time.

Imagery

The imagery in Men at Forty is highly evocative and creates a strong emotional response in the reader. The comparison of the body to a "book of myths" is a powerful metaphor that suggests the idea that our bodies contain a wealth of experience and knowledge. The image of the "small boat" in the second stanza creates a sense of vulnerability and isolation, which reflects the speaker's feelings of regret and nostalgia. The final image of the "dying fire" is a poignant symbol of the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

Interpretation

Men at Forty is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences that come with middle age. The poem is highly relatable, as it touches on universal themes such as the passage of time, mortality, and transformation. The use of simple but evocative language, as well as vivid imagery, creates a strong emotional response in the reader.

The poem is also highly introspective, as the speaker reflects on his own experiences and emotions. The use of the first person creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the speaker, which adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "we are" in the first stanza emphasizes the universality of the experience of aging, while the metaphor of the body as a "book of myths" suggests the idea that our bodies contain a wealth of experience and knowledge.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it touches on the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The image of the "dying fire" is a poignant symbol of the passage of time and the way in which our lives eventually come to an end. However, the final line of the poem, "what will suffice?", suggests that there is still hope and possibility, even in the face of mortality.

Conclusion

Men at Forty is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences that come with middle age. Through its use of language, imagery, and structure, the poem creates a vivid and evocative picture of the passage of time and the way in which it transforms us. The poem is highly relatable, and its themes of mortality, transformation, and the search for meaning and purpose are universal. Ultimately, Men at Forty is a reflection on the human experience, and the way in which we navigate the challenges and joys of life as we grow older.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Men At Forty: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance

Donald Justice's poem Men At Forty is a poignant and introspective piece that explores the themes of aging, regret, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Justice captures the essence of middle age and the struggles that come with it. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Men at forty learn to close softly the doors to rooms they will not be coming back to." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the idea of loss and letting go. The image of closing doors is a powerful metaphor for the act of moving on from the past and accepting the present. It suggests that as we age, we must learn to let go of the things that no longer serve us and focus on what is important in the present.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of loss and acceptance, as Justice writes, "At rest on a stair landing, / They feel it moving / Beneath them now like the deck of a ship, / Though the swell is gentle." Here, the poet describes the feeling of being adrift in life, of feeling like one is on a ship that is slowly moving away from shore. The use of the word "gentle" suggests that this movement is not sudden or violent, but rather a gradual and inevitable process.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the idea of regret and missed opportunities. Justice writes, "And deep in mirrors / They rediscover / The face of the boy as he practices tying / His father's tie there in secret." This image of looking into a mirror and seeing one's younger self is a powerful one, as it suggests that as we age, we become more aware of the things we have lost and the opportunities we have missed. The act of tying his father's tie is a metaphor for the passing of knowledge and tradition from one generation to the next, and the fact that the boy is doing it in secret suggests that he is trying to hold onto something that is slipping away.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme of regret, as Justice writes, "Saying, / 'We must die,' you say it hard / Like a plumber hammering a stubborn pipe, / Beneath the kitchen sink, and you sink down with him." Here, the poet describes the act of facing one's mortality and the realization that time is running out. The metaphor of the plumber hammering a stubborn pipe suggests that this realization is not an easy one, but rather a difficult and painful process. The act of sinking down with the plumber suggests that this realization is something that we must face together, as a community.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of loss, regret, and acceptance together in a powerful and moving conclusion. Justice writes, "You are at the wheel, / Driving alone; / The moon is out, the road is new, / But suddenly you are lost in a town / You have never seen before." This image of being lost in a strange town is a metaphor for the uncertainty and fear that comes with aging. The fact that the moon is out and the road is new suggests that there is still a sense of adventure and possibility in life, but the sudden feeling of being lost suggests that this adventure is not without its challenges.

In conclusion, Men At Forty is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of aging, regret, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Donald Justice captures the essence of middle age and the struggles that come with it. The poem is a reminder that as we age, we must learn to let go of the things that no longer serve us and focus on what is important in the present. It is a call to face our mortality with courage and acceptance, and to embrace the uncertainty and adventure that comes with life.

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