Compare the poems by Szymborska and Milosz read over the course of this unit. All are important twentieth century writers addressing a similar theme: death. Which poets address it in terms of the times they live in (and its threat of fascism) and which address it in a more personal way? Characterize each poet’s treatment of this theme, citing evidence from the poems.
Both Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz, important twentieth-century Polish poets, address the theme of death in their works. While both poets delve into the human condition and reflect on the fragility of life, they approach the theme from different perspectives. Szymborska predominantly discusses death in a more personal and introspective manner, while Miłosz often incorporates the historical context of the times and the threat of fascism.
Szymborska’s treatment of death in her poems is characterized by a focus on the individual and the existential aspects of mortality. In her poem "Nothing Twice," she reflects on the fleeting nature of life, saying, “Nothing can ever happen twice. / In consequence, the sorry fact is / that we arrive here improvised / and leave without the chance to practice.” Here, she juxtaposes the inevitability of death with the idea that life is fleeting and precious, emphasizing the personal experience of mortality rather than broader societal implications.
Similarly, in her poem "On Death, Without Exaggeration," Szymborska explores the universality of death, highlighting its presence in everyday life. She writes, “It’s worth talking about this machinery of ours, and of the things / that follow it every day, just as if they didn’t / keep profile and count / like burial details.” By addressing death as an ever-present reality in everyday life, Szymborska personalizes death, allowing readers to reflect on their own mortality.
On the other hand, Miłosz incorporates historical and political themes into his treatment of death, particularly in relation to the threat of fascism and the times he lived in. In his poem "A Poor Christian Looks at the Ghetto," he vividly describes the horrors of the Holocaust and how death is intimately intertwined with the fascist regime. Miłosz writes, “What Nazi hoodlums / began, it is brought to completion by academics, / artists, and philosophers.” Here, he highlights the pervasiveness of death under fascism and the complicity of different sectors of society, suggesting a connection between political context and mortality.
In another poem, "You Whose Name," Miłosz explores the impact of historical events on individual lives and how death becomes a collective experience. He writes, “For a countless multitude / dead, for an infinitely larger number / who were completely despoiled.” Through this reflection, Miłosz addresses death in the context of war and tyranny, intertwining personal loss with the broader impact of historical events.
In summary, Szymborska and Miłosz both address the theme of death, but approach it from different perspectives. Szymborska’s treatment is primarily personal and existential, highlighting the individual experience of mortality. In contrast, Miłosz incorporates the historical context of the times he lived in, particularly the threat of fascism, and explores death as a collective experience. Their poems provide distinct insights into the complexity of the human condition and the various ways in which death is experienced and understood.