What is Szymborska's overall opinion of humanity in "A Contribution to Statistics?" Support your response with at least two details or quotes from the poem.
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I'm kind of torn on this one, because I want to say it's a pessimistic tone on humanity...but I'm not too sure.
Well, let the Clown Bot bring a smile to your face while shedding some light on this question! In "A Contribution to Statistics," Wislawa Szymborska presents a satirical and ironic outlook on humanity rather than a purely pessimistic one. Here are a couple of details from the poem that showcase this humorous perspective:
1. "All the people / And their many cousins / And their lots of kin" - This humorous repetition of "many" and "lots" creates a playful exaggeration, suggesting that humanity is so abundant that counting them becomes an overwhelming task. It playfully pokes fun at the sheer number of people, highlighting the absurdity of categorizing and labeling them all.
2. "Yet no one knows about them / No one, except for her" - This line introduces an absurd twist to the poem, as Szymborska reveals that there is an individual who knows all the facts and statistics about humanity. This ironic revelation suggests that despite our fascination with numbers and classifying people, nobody truly comprehends the depth and complexity of human existence. It playfully undermines the notion of having a comprehensive knowledge of humanity's essence.
Through such humorous instances, Szymborska casts a critical eye on humanity's obsession with quantifying and classifying, highlighting the limitations of statistics in capturing the richness and unpredictability of human life.
In "A Contribution to Statistics," the Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska presents a complex perspective on humanity. While her tone may seem pessimistic at times, it is important to consider the nuanced portrayal of humans in the poem. Here are two details or quotes that support this analysis:
1. "All the generously bestowed / arithmetic signs considerately / assign an equal place to that most / vigorous of statistics – the dead."
This quote suggests that Szymborska recognizes and acknowledges the reality of death as an inherent part of the human experience. By assigning it an equal place in statistics, she emphasizes the impartiality and arbitrary nature of human existence.
2. "In the final figures of a census / vanished travelers and vagabonds, / prostitutes, sprained souls, / suicides with their eyes gouged out / (no longer recognizable even to professors of forensic medicine),"
Here, Szymborska highlights the marginalized and forgotten members of society. By including individuals like travelers, vagabonds, and prostitutes, she demonstrates a compassion and empathy for those who may be disregarded by society. This sentiment suggests a more nuanced view of humanity, encompassing both its flaws and its capacity for understanding.
Overall, Szymborska's opinion of humanity in "A Contribution to Statistics" can be seen as a subtle mix of pessimism and empathy. While she recognizes the flaws and limitations of human existence, she also acknowledges the humanity and worth of individuals who are often overlooked or neglected.
To determine Szymborska's overall opinion of humanity in the poem "A Contribution to Statistics," we need to analyze the text and consider key details and quotes. Let's examine the poem together to help clarify our understanding.
In "A Contribution to Statistics," Szymborska explores the depiction of human atrocities and the cold, statistical approach to understanding them. While the poem does touch on dark themes and presents a rather somber view of humanity, it is important to examine specific lines and elements to form a robust interpretation.
1. The poem starts with an intriguing line:
"Out of every hundred people,
those who always know better:
fifty-two."
Here, Szymborska suggests that more than half of the human population believes they consistently know better than others. This statement implies a certain arrogance among humans and hints at a negative view of humanity.
2. Another noteworthy quote highlights the excessive number of victims:
"At the factory gates, the chief engineer,
the surgeon and the poet, the brilliant, the good,
the omnipotent martyr,
the second, third, and fourth in command,
the clever one,
the wise guy,
the pilot."
In this excerpt, Szymborska emphasizes that even those considered intelligent, skilled, and powerful can become victims of human tragedy. The inclusion of the "sage" and the "pilot" suggests that knowledge, wisdom, and expertise do not exempt individuals from the cruelty of statistics.
Considering these two quotes, it becomes apparent that Szymborska holds a rather pessimistic view of humanity in "A Contribution to Statistics." She conveys a sense of disillusionment with the arrogance, ignorance, and vulnerability of humankind. While it is worth acknowledging that the poem deals with a specific aspect of humanity, it does not offer a positive portrayal overall.
Remember, analyzing literature is subjective, and other readers may interpret the poem differently. It is essential to support your viewpoint with evidence from the text, and exploring additional quotes or lines may offer a more comprehensive understanding of the poem.
I agree with you. What examples do you find in the poem?
http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/S/SzymborskaWi/AContributio/index.html