'The Abnormal Is Not Courage' by Jack Gilbert
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The Poles rode out from Warsaw against the German
Tanks on horses. Rode knowing, in sunlight, with sabers,
A magnitude of beauty that allows me no peace.
And yet this poem would lessen that day. Question
The bravery. Say it's not courage. Call it a passion.
Would say courage isn't that. Not at its best.
It was impossib1e, and with form. They rode in sunlight,
Were mangled. But I say courage is not the abnormal.
Not the marvelous act. Not Macbeth with fine speeches.
The worthless can manage in public, or for the moment.
It is too near the whore's heart: the bounty of impulse,
And the failure to sustain even small kindness.
Not the marvelous act, but the evident conclusion of being.
Not strangeness, but a leap forward of the same quality.
Accomplishment. The even loyalty. But fresh.
Not the Prodigal Son, nor Faustus. But Penelope.
The thing steady and clear. Then the crescendo.
The real form. The culmination. And the exceeding.
Not the surprise. The amazed understanding. The marriage,
Not the month's rapture. Not the exception. The beauty
That is of many days. Steady and clear.
It is the normal excellence, of long accomplishment.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Abnormal Is Not Courage: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
The Abnormal Is Not Courage is a classic poem written by Jack Gilbert, an American poet known for his intense and often personal poetry. The poem was first published in his 1962 collection, Views of Jeopardy, which won the Yale Younger Poets Prize. In this poem, Gilbert explores themes of courage, death, and the human condition in a poignant and thought-provoking manner.
Analysis
The poem opens with a simple yet powerful statement: "The Poles rode out from Warsaw against the German / tanks on horses." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the idea of courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The image of soldiers riding horses against tanks is a striking one, and it sets the stage for the rest of the poem's exploration of what courage truly means.
The next several stanzas focus on the idea of death, and how it is often seen as a heroic act. Gilbert contrasts this with the reality of death, which is often much more mundane and unremarkable. He writes:
Love is not feeling of happiness. Love is a willingness to sacrifice.
These lines highlight the idea that true love and courage are not about feeling good or being celebrated as a hero, but about being willing to make sacrifices for others. This is a more difficult and nuanced idea of courage than the traditional image of soldiers charging into battle.
The poem then moves into an exploration of the human condition, and how we all struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. Gilbert writes:
We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.
Here, he suggests that finding joy and delight in life is an essential part of being human, but that it requires a certain stubbornness and determination in the face of a difficult world. This idea is echoed later in the poem when he writes, "We must have the stubbornness to love / despite the emptiness and the rage."
Overall, the poem is a meditation on the nature of courage and the human condition. Gilbert does not offer easy answers or simplistic definitions of these complex concepts, but instead challenges the reader to think deeply about what they mean.
Interpretation
The Abnormal Is Not Courage is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that offers a complex and nuanced view of courage and the human condition. At its core, the poem is about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the courage it takes to do so in the face of adversity.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that true courage is not simply about being brave in the face of danger or adversity, but about making sacrifices for others. This idea is exemplified in the image of the soldiers riding horses against tanks, which highlights the idea of selflessness in the face of overwhelming odds. Gilbert suggests that this type of courage is much more difficult and nuanced than traditional ideas of bravery.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of finding joy and delight in life, even in the face of a difficult world. Gilbert suggests that this requires a certain stubbornness and determination, as well as a willingness to risk delight and embrace gladness. This idea is echoed throughout the poem, and suggests that finding joy in life is an essential part of being human.
Finally, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, and the struggle we all face to find meaning and purpose in life. Gilbert suggests that this struggle is often a difficult and painful one, but that it is essential to the human experience. He writes:
We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.
Overall, The Abnormal Is Not Courage is a powerful and moving poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of courage and the human condition. Gilbert's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is sure to stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Abnormal Is Not Courage is a classic poem that explores themes of courage, death, and the human condition in a powerful and thought-provoking manner. Gilbert challenges the reader to think deeply about what courage truly means, and offers a nuanced and complex view of this concept. The poem is a testament to the power of language and poetry, and is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Abnormal Is Not Courage: A Poem of Resilience and Strength
Jack Gilbert's poem, The Abnormal Is Not Courage, is a powerful and moving piece of literature that speaks to the human spirit's resilience and strength. In this poem, Gilbert explores the idea that true courage is not found in the extraordinary or abnormal but in the everyday struggles and challenges that we all face.
The poem begins with the lines, "The Poles rode out from Warsaw against the German / tanks on horses. Rode knowing, in sunlight, with sabers, / A magnitude of beauty that allows me no peace." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the bravery and courage of the Polish soldiers who faced overwhelming odds in their fight against the German army. The image of soldiers riding out on horses with sabers is a powerful one, evoking a sense of heroism and bravery that is both inspiring and humbling.
However, Gilbert quickly shifts his focus away from the extraordinary and towards the everyday struggles that we all face. He writes, "And yet this poem would lessen that day. Question / the bravery. Say it's not courage. Call it a passion." Here, Gilbert challenges the idea that true courage is only found in the extraordinary or abnormal. He suggests that the everyday struggles that we all face require just as much courage and strength as the heroic acts of soldiers on the battlefield.
Gilbert goes on to describe the struggles of everyday life, writing, "Why was it not said of the infantryman, instead, / He is a man of ordinary bravery? / And why the vague adjective, abnormal?" He questions why we use words like "abnormal" to describe those who face challenges that are outside of the norm. He suggests that this language diminishes the courage and strength of those who face these challenges and implies that they are somehow different or less than others.
The poem then takes a personal turn as Gilbert reflects on his own struggles with illness and mortality. He writes, "We praise the heroism that pits a life against a disease, / Leaving the young to die because they are good: / Sons of the stars." Here, Gilbert speaks to the courage and strength required to face illness and mortality. He suggests that those who face these challenges are heroes in their own right, and their courage should be celebrated and honored.
The poem concludes with the lines, "But we do not praise the courage of soldiers / Facing death without hope, and without glory. / Two men defeated / By the rain and the night: / Courage was not a thing they had." These lines are a powerful reminder that true courage is not found in the extraordinary or abnormal but in the everyday struggles and challenges that we all face. Gilbert suggests that the courage of soldiers facing death without hope or glory is just as important and worthy of praise as the heroism of those who ride out on horses with sabers.
In conclusion, The Abnormal Is Not Courage is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Gilbert challenges the idea that true courage is only found in the extraordinary or abnormal and suggests that the everyday struggles and challenges that we all face require just as much courage and strength. He reminds us that those who face illness and mortality are heroes in their own right, and their courage should be celebrated and honored. This poem is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find strength in the face of even the most difficult challenges.
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