A Look in the past by Jared Angira

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Introduction 

T(caps)he poem "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira narrates the speaker's journey through various animal forms, starting as a lizard, then transforming into a crocodile, eagle, and finally a pigeon. Each transformation symbolizes different stages or aspects of the speaker's life journey and experiences. Despite these changes, the speaker expresses a desire to return to a more elemental form, ultimately longing to dissolve into the formless clouds and reunite with nature. The poem explores themes of transformation, identity, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Once I was a lizard

cheeky and harmless

and built clouds

that the heat

never could melt

I learnt

of the transanimation

into a monitor

deaf to all spikes

a dweller of two worlds…

ere my breath had settled

my back grew rough –

my teeth went chisel-like

… a crocodile

lurking in sandy seafloor

then one day I died

but knocked my head

on the sharp gravestone

that woke me up

to find me winged

tough-clawed and a scavenger…

I was an eagle.

I went on sojourn

and my red eyes blue’ed

till I turned priestly –

pigeoned

till we came to Guernica

where they pinched my olive branch

and gave me a bone

when next I stopped

I was gliding

mutilated…

the mongoose pursued me in hideways

I shall go back

to the formless clouds

and melt myself into rain

then shall I land in the plantation

and mate with the secondary roots

of the old fig tree

Themes 

Some of the themes explored in "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira include:

1. Transformation: The poem explores the concept of transformation as the speaker undergoes various changes, shifting from one animal form to another. This theme reflects the idea of personal growth and evolution over time.

2. Identity: Through the speaker's journey through different animal forms, the poem delves into questions of identity and self-discovery. Each transformation represents a different aspect of the speaker's identity and experiences.

3. Nature and the Environment: The imagery of animals and natural elements in the poem highlights the connection between the speaker and the natural world. The speaker's desire to return to elemental forms suggests a deep reverence for nature and a longing to be one with it.

4. Cycle of Life and Death: The poem reflects on the cyclical nature of life and death, as the speaker experiences multiple transformations and eventual rebirth. This theme underscores the idea of continuity and renewal in the natural world.

5. Spirituality and Transcendence: The speaker's longing to dissolve into formless clouds and reunite with nature suggests a spiritual yearning for transcendence and unity with the divine or the universe. This theme explores concepts of spiritual enlightenment and oneness with the cosmos.

Literary Devices

In "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira, several literary devices are employed to enhance the poem's meaning and imagery. Some of these devices include:

1. Imagery: The poem is rich in visual imagery, allowing readers to vividly envision the speaker's transformations from a lizard to a crocodile, eagle, and pigeon. Descriptions of the natural world, such as "sandy seafloor" and "formless clouds," contribute to the sensory experience of the poem.

2. Metaphor: The speaker's transformation into different animals serves as a metaphor for various stages or aspects of the speaker's life journey. Each animal symbolizes different characteristics or experiences, such as cunningness, strength, or spiritual enlightenment.

3. Symbolism: The animals mentioned in the poem, including the lizard, crocodile, eagle, and pigeon, carry symbolic significance. For example, the crocodile may symbolize primal instincts or power, while the eagle may represent freedom or transcendence.

4. Alliteration: The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, adds musicality to the poem and emphasizes certain words or phrases. For example, "built clouds" and "tough-clawed" create a rhythmic effect within the poem.

5. Personification: The poem personifies nature and the elements, such as clouds that "the heat never could melt." This personification adds depth to the imagery and contributes to the overall theme of interconnectedness between the speaker and the natural world.

6. Parallelism: The repetition of similar grammatical structures or phrases, such as "I was" at the beginning of each stanza, creates a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the poem.

These literary devices work together to create a layered and evocative exploration of themes such as transformation, identity, and the relationship between humanity and nature.

Language and Diction

In "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira, the language and diction play a crucial role in conveying the poem's themes and imagery. Here's how:

1. Descriptive Language: The poet uses descriptive language to paint vivid images of the speaker's transformations and the natural world. Words like "cheeky," "harmless," "rough," and "red eyes blue'ed" evoke specific sensory experiences and contribute to the visual imagery of the poem.

2. Symbolic Diction: The choice of words for each animal the speaker transforms into carries symbolic significance. For instance, "crocodile" conveys notions of strength and primal instincts, while "eagle" represents freedom and spiritual transcendence. These carefully selected words enhance the poem's metaphorical layers.

3. Connotative Language: Throughout the poem, connotative language is used to evoke emotions and associations beyond the literal meanings of words. For example, the word "priestly" suggests a sense of sanctity or reverence, while "scavenger" implies a gritty, survivalist quality.

4. Poetic Devices: The poet employs various poetic devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification to add depth and complexity to the language. For example, comparing the speaker's teeth to "chisel-like" adds a visual and tactile dimension to the description of the crocodile form.

5. Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases or words, such as "I was" at the beginning of each stanza, creates a rhythmic pattern and emphasizes key ideas or themes. This repetition also contributes to the overall structure and cohesion of the poem.

6. Natural Imagery: The use of language related to the natural world, such as "sandy seafloor," "plantation," and "old fig tree," reinforces the connection between the speaker and their environment. This natural imagery underscores themes of interconnectedness and the cyclical nature of existence.

Overall, the language and diction in "A Look in the Past" serve to immerse the reader in the speaker's journey of transformation and reflection, while also inviting deeper exploration of the poem's underlying themes and symbolism.

Structure

The structure of "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira follows a free verse form, without strict adherence to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. However, the poem does exhibit some structural elements that contribute to its overall coherence and impact:

1. Stanzas: The poem is divided into several stanzas, each containing a distinct phase or transformation in the speaker's journey. These stanzas vary in length, with some consisting of only a few lines while others are longer. The division into stanzas helps to organize the poem and guide the reader through the speaker's narrative.

2. Enjambment: Throughout the poem, there are instances of enjambment, where lines of verse continue onto the next line without punctuation. This technique creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, allowing the poem to flow smoothly from one thought or image to the next.

3. Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases or words, such as "I was" at the beginning of each stanza, provides a structural framework and reinforces key ideas or themes. This repetition also contributes to the rhythmic pattern of the poem.

4. Progressive Narrative: The poem follows a narrative arc, tracing the speaker's journey through different animal forms and the insights gained along the way. This progressive narrative structure gives the poem a sense of momentum and development, leading to a climactic resolution.

5. Shifts in Tone and Imagery: As the speaker undergoes various transformations, there are shifts in tone and imagery that reflect the changing emotional and existential landscape. These shifts contribute to the dynamic structure of the poem and keep the reader engaged.

Overall, the structure of "A Look in the Past" is characterized by its fluidity, narrative progression, and strategic use of repetition and enjambment to create a cohesive and impactful poetic experience.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, "A Look in the Past" by Jared Angira is a thought-provoking poem that delves into themes of transformation, identity, and the interconnectedness of humanity with the natural world. Through vivid imagery, symbolic language, and a dynamic structure, the poem traces the speaker's journey through various animal forms, each representing different stages or aspects of life. From the cheeky lizard to the transcendent eagle, the speaker's transformations reflect personal growth, spiritual evolution, and a deep longing to reunite with nature. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence, the significance of our connections to the environment, and the timeless quest for self-discovery and meaning.