Complete Poem and Analysis of The Dark Side by Roger Stennett

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The Dark Side by Roger Stennett

What would we believe ?

What would we teach

Our alien children 

If we dwelt unobserved

And forcibly unobserving 

On The Dark Side of The Moon ?

Would we make up day-time tall tales

(Though day and night seems the same

To us. Stygian black from dark to dark)

But would we use our shady imagination 

To speculate, and tell of other places

Never seen, but we ‘needed’ to exist ? 

Do we, in our impenetrable darkness

Need to believe in wet seas and trees

And Cotswold cottage country gardens ? 

Is it true that imagination must exceed 

Our visions of Reality ? Can we simply be

At home in what we see, even in darkness ? 

Somehow we are able, even here 

On The Dark Side, to lead our lives

With dignity and modesty and hope

That one day, all the Universe will see

‘The light’ . And cross our fingers.  

Though it’s hard to glimpse our hands. 

General Introduction

- Poet and Poem: "The Dark Side" is written by Roger Stennett, a contemporary poet known for his explorations of existential and philosophical themes. Stennett's poetry often delves into questions of existence, perception, and the human condition, reflecting a thoughtful and introspective style. "The Dark Side" reflects these concerns through its contemplation of life beyond observation and understanding.

- Context about the Poet: Roger Stennett’s work is marked by its engagement with metaphysical themes and often reflects a modernist sensibility. His poetry tends to examine abstract concepts such as reality, perception, and the unknown. The poem was likely written in a period of increased interest in space exploration and philosophical inquiry about existence, typical of late 20th and early 21st-century concerns.

Title

- The title "The Dark Side" immediately suggests a focus on something hidden or unexplored. In this context, it refers to the far side of the moon, which is perpetually out of view from Earth. This choice of title sets the stage for a contemplation of isolation, obscured knowledge, and the unknown aspects of existence. It hints at themes of darkness, both literal and metaphorical, and invites readers to consider what lies beyond the visible.

Themes of "The Dark Side" by Roger Stennett:

1. Isolation and the Unknown:

   - The poem’s primary theme is isolation, both physical and existential. The reference to "The Dark Side of The Moon," which is perpetually out of view from Earth, symbolizes a place of complete separation from familiar experiences and knowledge. This isolation extends beyond physical space to a metaphorical sense of being cut off from understanding and connection. The poem questions how life might be led under such circumstances and what it reveals about human nature and the need for connection.

2. Imagination vs. Reality:

   - Stennett explores the role of imagination as it relates to our understanding of reality. The poem delves into how imagination might create concepts or stories to fill gaps left by the unknown. For instance, the speaker ponders whether, in complete darkness, people would conjure stories about things like "wet seas and trees" and "Cotswold cottage country gardens." This theme raises questions about the necessity of imagination to make sense of or escape from the limitations of our perception of reality.

3. The Nature of Belief and Knowledge:

   - The poem reflects on how belief and knowledge are shaped by our experiences and limitations. By considering what we might teach "alien children" if isolated on the moon, Stennett raises questions about the foundations of knowledge and the ways in which belief systems are constructed. This theme touches on epistemology—the study of knowledge—and challenges the reader to think about how we form beliefs when faced with unknown or incomprehensible situations.

4. Existential Resilience and Hope:

   - Despite the profound darkness and isolation, the poem suggests a theme of existential resilience. The speaker mentions living with "dignity and modesty and hope," even in the most challenging circumstances. This reflects an underlying optimism and the human capacity to maintain hope and integrity despite the absence of light or clear vision. The poem implies that even in the darkest of situations, there is a persistent belief in the possibility of enlightenment or revelation ("all the Universe will see ‘The light’").

5. Perception and Reality:

   - Another significant theme is the nature of perception and its impact on our understanding of reality. The poem suggests that our perception of day and night, and what is visible or invisible, shapes our experience of reality. The unchanging darkness of the moon’s far side challenges the conventional understanding of time and space, prompting reflections on how perception influences our sense of reality and what happens when this perception is radically altered.

6. The Limits of Human Understanding:

   - Stennett’s poem touches on the inherent limits of human understanding. The moon’s far side, shrouded in darkness, serves as a metaphor for the boundaries of human knowledge and comprehension. The poem questions whether human understanding can ever fully encompass or penetrate the unknown, suggesting that there will always be aspects of existence that remain beyond our grasp.

"The Dark Side" intricately weaves together themes of isolation, imagination, belief, existential resilience, perception, and the limits of understanding. Through these themes, Stennett invites readers to reflect on the nature of human experience and the ways in which we navigate the unknown.

Literary Devices

1. Imagery:

   - "Stygian black from dark to dark": This phrase uses imagery to convey an intense and unending darkness, likening it to the River Styx from Greek mythology, which symbolizes the boundary between the living and the dead. This evokes a sense of profound, inescapable darkness.

   

2. Allusion:

   - "The Dark Side of The Moon": The title and recurring motif allude to the moon's far side, which is unknown and unexplored. This allusion serves as a metaphor for unknown or unseen aspects of human existence and perception.

3. Rhetorical Questions:

   - "What would we believe? What would we teach / Our alien children": These questions prompt the reader to consider hypothetical scenarios about belief and teaching in isolation, emphasizing the themes of speculation and imagination.

4. Contrast:

   - "Though day and night seems the same / To us": This contrast between day and night, and the description of the moon's surface as eternally dark, highlights the poem's exploration of perception and reality. The uniformity of darkness on the moon contrasts with the varied experiences of Earth.

5. Metaphor:

   - "Lead our lives / With dignity and modesty and hope": Here, life on "The Dark Side" is metaphorically depicted as a state of existential challenge, yet one in which dignity and hope can still persist. This metaphor emphasizes resilience in the face of uncertainty.

6. Personification:

   - "Imagination must exceed / Our visions of Reality": By suggesting that imagination "must exceed," the poem personifies imagination as an active force that surpasses reality, illustrating its role in exploring beyond the known.

Language and Diction

- Diction: Stennett employs a formal and contemplative diction, using words like "impenetrable," "dignity," and "speculate," which enhance the poem's philosophical tone. The choice of words like "Stygian" and "Cotswold" adds layers of historical and geographical reference, enriching the poem’s depth.

- Dialect: The language is standard English, with no regional dialect or slang. This formality helps to underscore the poem’s serious tone and universal themes.

Mood and Tone

- Mood: The mood of the poem is contemplative and introspective. It evokes a sense of isolation and wonderment, as well as a slight unease about the unknown.

- Tone: The tone is philosophical and speculative. The poet adopts a thoughtful and questioning stance towards the concepts of reality, imagination, and existence. There is a tone of resignation mixed with hopefulness, particularly in the contemplation of the universe eventually "seeing the light."

Context

- Historical/Cultural Context: The poem reflects a period when space exploration and existential philosophy were prominent themes in popular culture and intellectual discourse. The far side of the moon, which became a symbol of the unknown, aligns with contemporary fascination with space and the limits of human knowledge.

- Influence on Themes: The historical fascination with space and the unknown influences the poem’s exploration of isolation, perception, and the nature of reality. It also reflects broader existential questions about human experience and understanding.

Conclusion

Roger Stennett’s "The Dark Side" masterfully employs literary devices to explore profound philosophical questions about existence and perception. Through imagery, allusion, and metaphor, the poem delves into the nature of reality as seen from a place of complete darkness. The formal diction and contemplative tone underscore the poem’s themes of isolation, imagination, and hope. Contextually, it reflects an era intrigued by space and the unknown, reinforcing its exploration of what lies beyond our immediate perception.