Philip Levine’s poem "Animals Are Passing from Our Lives" intertwines vivid imagery, irony, and poignant reflection to craft a narrative from the perspective of a pig destined for slaughter. Through the pig's internal monologue, Levine explores themes of self-awareness, societal perceptions, and the struggle to maintain dignity in the face of inevitable fate. The poem's structure of six stanzas with four lines each encapsulates the depths of consciousness attributed to the pig, providing a rich commentary on life and mortality.

A Self-Aware Introduction

The poem opens with a self-description that defies conventional views of pigs, immediately drawing the reader into a world of unexpected complexity. The pig, usually seen as clumsy and simple, asserts its existence with a surprising level of self-awareness: “It’s wonderful how I jog/ on four honed-down ivory toes.” This statement not only challenges the stereotype but also sets the tone for a narrative that juxtaposes the expected brutishness of animals with a more nuanced reflection. The reference to Shakespeare’s notion of “discourse of reason” highlights the tension between humanity’s traditional view of animals and the poem’s portrayal of them as creatures capable of introspection.

Facing Inevitable Destiny

After establishing its identity, the pig succinctly acknowledges its grim fate: “I’m to market.” This stark acknowledgment is followed by a sensory-rich anticipation of death, where the pig envisions the tangible elements of its impending demise—the “sour, grooved block,” the “blade,” and the “pudgy white fingers.” These vivid details paint a haunting picture of the slaughterhouse, where dreams of “snouts” drooling on marble slabs linger, even in death. The pig’s awareness extends beyond life, reflecting on the discomfort of consumers who avoid meeting the eyes of their meals, perhaps to shield themselves from the realization of the life taken for their sustenance.

The Human Element

The narrative then introduces “the boy,” a character embodying societal ignorance and indifference, tasked with leading the pig to slaughter. His inability to see past the pig’s physical attributes and his expectation of its panic underscores the gap between human perception and animal reality. The boy anticipates a display of fear, imagining the pig as succumbing with “hysterical tremor,” yet this assumption highlights a lack of understanding about the complexity of the pig’s emotional state. He represents a broader societal view that fails to recognize the pig’s individuality and resilience.

Defiance in the Face of Fate

In the poem’s powerful conclusion, the pig resists succumbing entirely to the terror of its circumstances. This refusal is not born from a mere survival instinct, but rather from a profound declaration of autonomy and dignity. The pig’s last stand, “No. Not this pig,” reveals a depth of character that defies the reduction to mere animal instinct. It is a cry for recognition, a refusal to be seen as just another creature in the line of slaughter, demonstrating a surprising strength of will that challenges the reader's perceptions.

Through "Animals Are Passing from Our Lives," Philip Levine masterfully combines irony, rich imagery, and a compelling narrative voice to delve into themes of identity, societal perception, and dignity. By presenting the pig’s perspective, Levine invites readers to reconsider the simplistic labels often assigned to animals, engaging them in a deeper conversation about the nature of consciousness and the moral responsibilities that accompany it.

Philip Levine masterfully employs style and technique to engage readers in the profound poem "Animals Are Passing from Our Lives." By immersing the reader into the consciousness of a pig endowed with human-like awareness, Levine skillfully overcomes resistance to unconventional subject matter....