'What Kind Of A Person' by Yehuda Amichai
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"What kind of a person are you," I heard them say to me.
I'm a person with a complex plumbing of the soul,
Sophisticated instruments of feeling and a system
Of controlled memory at the end of the twentieth century,
But with an old body from ancient times
And with a God even older than my body.
I'm a person for the surface of the earth.
Low places, caves and wells
Frighten me. Mountain peaks
And tall buildings scare me.
I'm not like an inserted fork,
Not a cutting knife, not a stuck spoon.
I'm not flat and sly
Like a spatula creeping up from below.
At most I am a heavy and clumsy pestle
Mashing good and bad together
For a little taste
And a little fragrance.
Arrows do not direct me. I conduct
My business carefully and quietly
Like a long will that began to be written
The moment I was born.
s Now I stand at the side of the street
Weary, leaning on a parking meter.
I can stand here for nothing, free.
I'm not a car, I'm a person,
A man-god, a god-man
Whose days are numbered. Hallelujah.
Translated from the Hebrew by Barbara and Benjamin Harshav
Editor 1 Interpretation
What Kind Of A Person: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Yehuda Amichai's What Kind Of A Person is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. The poem is a beautiful example of Amichai's skill as a poet, using vivid imagery and language to convey his message. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and meaning behind What Kind Of A Person.
Overview
What Kind Of A Person is a poem about a person who is searching for meaning in life. The speaker describes the different types of people in the world, from those who are content with their lives to those who are constantly searching for something more. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on his own life and his own search for meaning.
Themes
The themes of What Kind Of A Person are universal and timeless. The poem explores the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. Some of the key themes in the poem include:
- The search for meaning
- The complexity of human nature
- The inevitability of change
- The fleeting nature of life
- The importance of human connection
Literary Devices
Amichai's use of literary devices in What Kind Of A Person is masterful. Some of the key literary devices he uses include:
Imagery
The imagery in What Kind Of A Person is vivid and powerful. Amichai uses sensory language to paint a picture of the world and the people in it. For example, he writes:
Some people are like a snake,
if you corner them they will show you their fangs.
This imagery creates a sense of danger and unpredictability, highlighting the complexity of human nature.
Metaphor
Amichai also uses metaphor to convey his message. For example, he writes:
Some people are like a dog,
they bark at strangers and lick the feet of their masters.
This metaphor highlights the loyalty and obedience of some people, while contrasting it with the aggression of others.
Repetition
Amichai uses repetition to reinforce his message and create a sense of rhythm in the poem. For example, he repeats the phrase "What kind of a person" throughout the poem, emphasizing the different types of people in the world.
Irony
The poem also contains elements of irony, such as the line:
Some people are like a stone,
they are the foundation of the world.
This line is ironic because, while a stone may be a foundation, it is also cold and inert. It highlights the paradoxical nature of human existence.
Interpretation
What Kind Of A Person is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, the poem is about the search for meaning in life. The speaker reflects on the different types of people in the world and the different ways they find meaning. Some people are content with their lives, while others are constantly searching for something more.
The poem also reflects on the complexity of human nature. The speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphor to highlight the different aspects of human behavior, from loyalty and obedience to aggression and unpredictability. This complexity is further emphasized by the use of irony and repetition.
Ultimately, What Kind Of A Person is a poem that encourages the reader to reflect on their own life and their own search for meaning. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting and that change is inevitable. It also highlights the importance of human connection and the role that others play in our search for meaning.
Conclusion
Yehuda Amichai's What Kind Of A Person is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. Through his use of imagery, metaphor, repetition, and irony, Amichai creates a vivid portrayal of the different types of people in the world and the different ways they find meaning. Ultimately, the poem encourages the reader to reflect on their own life and their own search for meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Kind of a Person: A Masterpiece by Yehuda Amichai
Yehuda Amichai, the renowned Israeli poet, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. His poem "What Kind of a Person" is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a rhetorical question, "What kind of a person are you?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the different aspects of their personality and the contradictions that exist within them. The speaker acknowledges that they are not a perfect person, but rather a flawed individual who is constantly struggling to find their place in the world.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be a "good person" and to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. The speaker longs to be someone who is kind, compassionate, and generous, but they also recognize that they are capable of being selfish and cruel. This internal conflict is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the speaker grapples with their own contradictions and struggles to reconcile their desires with their actions.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker acknowledges that they will not live forever and that their time on earth is limited. This realization leads them to question the purpose of their existence and to wonder whether their life has any meaning at all.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of identity and the ways in which we define ourselves. The speaker reflects on the different roles they play in life, such as parent, lover, and friend, and how these roles shape their sense of self. However, the speaker also recognizes that these roles are not fixed and that they can change over time. This fluidity of identity is a central theme in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of who they are and who they want to be.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love and the ways in which it can both inspire and destroy us. The speaker reflects on the intense emotions that love can evoke, from joy and happiness to pain and heartbreak. The speaker acknowledges that love is a powerful force that can shape our lives in profound ways, but they also recognize that it can be a source of great pain and suffering.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings together the different themes and ideas explored throughout the poem. The speaker acknowledges that they are a complex and contradictory person, but they also recognize that this is what makes them human. The speaker concludes by stating that they are "a person who wants to be loved" and who wants to find meaning and purpose in life.
The language and imagery used in the poem are both powerful and evocative. The use of rhetorical questions, such as "What kind of a person are you?" and "What kind of a life have you had?" creates a sense of introspection and self-reflection. The use of metaphors, such as "life is a corridor" and "love is a fire," adds depth and complexity to the poem, as the speaker explores the different facets of human experience.
In conclusion, "What Kind of a Person" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. Through its powerful language and evocative imagery, the poem captures the essence of the human experience and reminds us of our shared humanity. Yehuda Amichai's poetry continues to inspire and move readers around the world, and "What Kind of a Person" is no exception.
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