Lines 1-6

As the poem "Knowledge" opens, its initial lines weave a web of suspense through a dependent clause that draws readers deeper into the tapestry of thought, withholding its true intent until the sixth line. This opening hints at an exploration beyond the mundane rhythm of everyday life. The phrase "Even when you know" suggests that uncertainty lingers, hinting that surprises await even the well-prepared. It extends into the next line with "even when you pride yourself," underscoring the self-assured familiarity the addressee claims to have with the world. Pride becomes a lens through which the reader discerns a bold understanding of life’s unpredictability. The narrator hints that even those who grasp the world's harshness can still be caught off guard by the depths of cruelty innocent people endure. This theme stretches into the third line, where the narrator emphasizes that even diligent study of history or vigilant news consumption fails to brace one for humanity's atrocities. No textbook or broadcast can arm a person for the gruesome acts perpetrated by humans upon one another. This sentiment is starkly illustrated by the inability of historical lessons, such as those of the Nazi Holocaust, to equip individuals with the means to fully comprehend or rationally deal with such horrors should they reoccur.

In the fourth line, Addonizio expands on the theme of everyday wickedness, suggesting that awareness of "quotidian" cruelties offers no shield. By using the term "minor," she highlights the mundanity and seeming insignificance of these acts, emphasizing how normal and unnoticed such meanness can become. Labeling these acts as "endless" in line 5, she refers to them as "relevant examples" of human cruelty. As the thought culminates in line 6, the narrator finally ties the dependent clause to a liberating independent statement. This culmination, described by "even now," encapsulates the sentiments of lines 1-5, asserting that no amount of learned anticipation can truly prepare one for the shocking reality of the human capacity for cruelty, which can still "strike you anew."

Lines 7-9

With the established independent clause bridging the narrative, the reflection flows into lines 6 and 7, suggesting that this fresh jolt of surprise might lead one to reflect on a previous belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. The implication is that a belief in humanity's fundamental decency is an unexamined cornerstone of many people's beliefs. Without it, the shocking presence of evil would not surprise. Lines 7 and 8 explore this notion further, hinting that this core belief in humanity's goodness persists despite pessimistic worldviews. The mention of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in line 9 introduces a counterpoint; Schopenhauer, with his bleak view, argued that humans are driven by an overwhelming and malevolent will, devoid of individual autonomy. This cosmic force, not a divine entity, molds human fate, illustrating a reality where humanity is merely a marionette to its environment. Addonizio sums up Schopenhauer's philosophy with "all blind, impersonal will," presenting a stark reality.

Lines 10-12

Continuing in line 10, the narrator suggests that despite the grim perspectives of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, the general public remains optimistically dismissive. Hobbes, a philosopher from the early 1600s, questioned humankind's self-regulation, seeing followers who embrace this bleak outlook as "perversely" and "gleefully" reveling in a pessimistic worldview. These adherents find a peculiar delight in doubting humanity's future and self-governance. Line 11, adorned with five italicized adjectives, underscores Hobbes's "clear-sighted" vision that freedom stems from a deterministic acceptance, encouraging individuals to pursue their desires unabashedly. Hobbes envisioned humanity as inherently self-centered, introducing the word "solitary" to describe the isolated nature of individuals. In his view, society's natural...