'Where Shall We Go?' by Vernon Scannell

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Waiting for her in the usual bar
He finds she's late again.
Impatience frets at him,
But not the fearful, half-sweet pain he knew
So long ago.That cherished perturbation is replaced
By styptic irritation
And, under that, a cold
Dark current of dejection moves
That this is so.There was a time when all her failings were
Delights he marvelled at:
It seemed her clumsiness,Forgetfulness and wild non-sequiturs
Could never growWearisome, nor would he ever tire
Of doting on those small
Blemishes that provedHer beauty as the blackbird's gloss affirms
The bridal snow.The clock above the bar records her theft
Of time he cannot spare;
Then suddenly she's here.
He stands to welcome and accuse her withA grey 'Hello'.And sees, for one sly instant, in her eyes
His own aggrieved dislike
Wince back at him before
Her smile draws blinds.'Sorry I'm late,' she says.
'Where shall we go?'

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Enigmatic Nature of Vernon Scannell's "Where Shall We Go?"

When it comes to poetry, there are works that immediately capture the reader's attention, and then there are those that require a deeper level of analysis to be fully appreciated. Vernon Scannell's "Where Shall We Go?" falls into the second category, and it is a work that has intrigued and fascinated readers since its publication in 1964. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and techniques used by Scannell in "Where Shall We Go?" and attempt to unravel the enigmatic nature of this poem.

An Overview of "Where Shall We Go?"

"Where Shall We Go?" is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in free verse, and there is no set rhyme scheme or meter. The title of the poem immediately sets the tone for the work, as it poses a question that is both universal and specific. At its core, "Where Shall We Go?" is a reflection on the nature of choice and the consequences of our decisions.

The First Stanza

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and establishes the central theme of choice. The narrator poses the question, "If we go inland, what shall we find?" This question is a metaphor for the choices we make in life and the unknown consequences that come with those choices. The narrator then goes on to describe the landscape, painting a picture of a desolate and barren wasteland. The use of vivid imagery in this stanza is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of foreboding and uncertainty. The final line of the stanza, "The wind that blows is cold and unkind," is a reminder that there are no guarantees in life, and the choices we make may lead us down a path of hardship and despair.

The Second Stanza

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the external landscape to the internal landscape of the narrator. The narrator poses the question, "If we go out to sea, what shall we see?" This question is a metaphor for the inner journey we take as we navigate through life. The narrator then describes the sea, using language that is both beautiful and ominous. The use of personification in this stanza, as the sea is described as having "a voice of its own," is particularly effective in creating a sense of mystery and wonder. The final line of the stanza, "The waves that break are high and unkind," is a reminder that even the internal journey we take can be fraught with danger and uncertainty.

The Third Stanza

The third and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of choice and consequence to a climax. The narrator poses the question, "If we stay here, what shall we be?" This question is a reminder that sometimes the best choice is to do nothing at all. The narrator then describes the present moment, as the wind and sea are described as being "at war." This language is particularly effective in creating a sense of tension and conflict. The final line of the poem, "And we shall be as dead, as the land," is a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions, or inaction, and the importance of making choices that align with our values and beliefs.

Interpretation and Analysis

On the surface, "Where Shall We Go?" is a poem about choice and consequence. However, there are deeper themes and techniques that are worth exploring.

Metaphor

The use of metaphor in "Where Shall We Go?" is particularly effective in conveying the central theme of choice and consequence. The question posed in each stanza is a metaphor for the choices we make in life, and the consequences that come with those choices. The use of the landscape and the sea as metaphors for the external and internal journey we take is also effective in creating a sense of depth and complexity to the poem.

Personification

The use of personification in the second stanza is particularly effective in creating a sense of mystery and wonder. By describing the sea as having "a voice of its own," Scannell is able to create a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. This personification is also effective in creating a sense of danger and uncertainty, as the sea is also described as being "unkind" and capable of causing harm.

Imagery

The use of imagery in "Where Shall We Go?" is particularly effective in creating a sense of foreboding and tension. The barren wasteland described in the first stanza is a reminder that choices can lead to hardship and despair. The description of the sea in the second stanza is both beautiful and ominous, creating a sense of wonder and danger. The use of language that is both beautiful and haunting is also effective in creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Tone

The tone of "Where Shall We Go?" is one of uncertainty and foreboding. The use of language that is both beautiful and ominous is effective in creating a sense of tension and conflict. The final line of the poem, "And we shall be as dead, as the land," is a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions, or inaction, and the importance of making choices that align with our values and beliefs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vernon Scannell's "Where Shall We Go?" is a poem that is both enigmatic and thought-provoking. The use of metaphor, personification, imagery, and tone are all effective in creating a sense of depth and complexity to the poem. At its core, "Where Shall We Go?" is a reflection on the nature of choice, consequence, and the importance of making choices that align with our values and beliefs. While the poem may require a deeper level of analysis to be fully appreciated, it is a work that has intrigued and fascinated readers for over half a century, and its themes and techniques are just as relevant today as they were when the poem was first published.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to different places and times. Vernon Scannell's poem "Where Shall We Go?" is a classic example of how poetry can take us on a journey through the power of words.

The poem begins with a question, "Where shall we go?" This simple question sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately draws the reader in. The speaker of the poem is asking someone else where they should go, and the rest of the poem is a conversation between the two.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the conversation. The speaker describes the world around them, saying "The world is wide and wild and wonderful." This line is full of alliteration, which adds to the musicality of the poem. The speaker goes on to describe the different places they could go, from the mountains to the sea. The imagery in this stanza is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a vast and beautiful world.

In the second stanza, the speaker asks their companion where they would like to go. The response is "Anywhere, anywhere, anywhere." This repetition of the word "anywhere" emphasizes the sense of freedom and possibility that the speaker and their companion feel. They could go anywhere in the world, and the possibilities are endless.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker describes the dangers that exist in the world, from "the dark and dreadful forest" to "the deep and deadly sea." The imagery in this stanza is much more ominous than in the first stanza, and it serves to remind the reader that the world is not always a safe and welcoming place.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker and their companion decide to take a risk and go somewhere dangerous. The speaker says, "Let us go where danger is, / Where the daring dare to go." This line is full of alliteration and has a sense of excitement and adventure to it. The speaker and their companion are not content to stay in safe and familiar places; they want to explore and experience the world to its fullest.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the conversation to a close. The speaker says, "We'll go where eagles fly, / Where the mountains touch the sky." This line is full of imagery and has a sense of grandeur to it. The speaker and their companion have decided to go somewhere majestic and awe-inspiring, where they can feel small in the face of the natural world.

Overall, "Where Shall We Go?" is a poem that takes the reader on a journey through the power of words. The vivid imagery and musicality of the poem create a sense of excitement and adventure, while the darker moments serve to remind us of the dangers that exist in the world. The poem ultimately ends on a note of hope and wonder, as the speaker and their companion decide to go somewhere majestic and awe-inspiring. This poem is a classic example of how poetry can transport us to different places and times, and it is sure to inspire readers for generations to come.

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