Animals Are Passing from Our Lives

by Philip Levine

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Summary

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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.

Style and Technique

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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....

(This entire section contains 486 words.)

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This unique approach draws readers into the narrative, encouraging them to confront the uncomfortable truths presented in the poem.

Engaging the Reader

During a 1999 interview, Levine explained the importance of shrewdly involving readers, especially when presenting difficult topics. To achieve this, he designed a method that entangles the reader, catching them off balance. In "Animals Are Passing from Our Lives," Levine applies this technique by placing the reader directly within the perceptive and reflective consciousness of a pig. This approach not only captures attention but also diminishes resistance to its unexpected perspective.

Imagery and Voice

The poem opens with a confessional address characterized by self-mockery, establishing a voice that is both recognizable and engaging. This initial voice sets the stage for a series of vivid images that linger in the reader's imagination. As the poem progresses, Levine alternates between visual and olfactory imagery, painting a picture of the pig both before and after its arrival at the market. This sequence of images enhances the reader's connection to the poem by depicting the uneasy interaction between product and consumer, suggesting a reciprocal avoidance and confrontation.

Shifts in Perspective

Levine emphasizes the importance of maintaining a compelling and dynamic voice throughout the poem. The pig's voice transitions from an informal conversational tone to a graphically intense description of slaughter processes, and then to a depiction of the marketplace where the atmosphere of suffering is palpable. The repetition of the word "suffering" serves to concentrate the psychological tension, reinforcing the poem's unsettling mood. This strategic shift in vocal perspective maintains reader engagement and deepens their emotional experience.

Defiance and Individuality

In the poem's concluding stanzas, the pig adopts a double consciousness, perceiving its present circumstances with an awareness of future consequences. This perspective shift lends credibility to the pig’s final act of defiance, highlighting the courage involved in rejecting mundane expectations. The separation between the pig and "The boy/ who drives me along" underscores this defiance, illustrating a refusal to succumb to mindless hysteria. The pig's contempt for the boy's assumption that it will "fall/ on my side and drum my toes/ like a typewriter or squeal" is powerfully expressed through vivid imagery.

Proclamation of Singular Identity

The poem culminates with a radical change in tone as the pig asserts its individuality. The solitary word "No," resonating like a gavel on the bar of justice, echoes Herman Melville's insistence on the artist's role to challenge societal demands for simple affirmation. The final declaration, "Not this pig," stands as an emphatic statement of unique identity against the forces of conformity. This ultimate proclamation emphasizes the pig's singularity and its refusal to be reduced to a mere commodity.

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