Famous
by Naomi Shihab Nye
The river is famous to the fish.
The loud voice is famous to silence,
which knew it would inherit the earth
before anybody said so.The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds
watching him from the birdhouse.The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.
The idea you carry close to your bosom
is famous to your bosom.The boot is famous to the earth,
more famous than the dress shoe,
which is famous only to floors.The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it
and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.I want to be famous to shuffling men
who smile while crossing streets,
sticky children in grocery lines,
famous as the one who smiled back.I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous,
or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular,
but because it never forgot what it could do.
Understanding “Famous”
Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem “Famous” explores the nature of fame, recognition, and connection. It challenges traditional notions of celebrity, suggesting that fame isn’t necessarily about grand gestures or widespread renown but rather about being meaningfully known and appreciated within a smaller sphere. The poem, first published in 2005, achieves this through a series of evocative comparisons between ordinary things and the audiences to which they are famous. It is a beautiful reflection on how even the smallest entities can hold significance and how genuine connection is often found in everyday moments of life.
Summary of “Famous”
The poem establishes a series of relatable pairings: a river is famous to the fish, a loud voice to silence, and so on. Nye illustrates that fame is relative; something is famous only to those who experience or acknowledge it. This extends beyond natural phenomena to personal objects like a photograph, significant to the holder but not to the subject. The speaker then reveals a personal desire for a quiet, unassuming kind of fame—to be recognized by ordinary people for a simple act of kindness, like returning a smile. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true significance lies not in spectacular achievements but in consistently fulfilling one’s purpose, like a reliable pulley or buttonhole.
Central Idea
The central idea of “Famous” is a redefinition of fame itself. Nye dismantles the traditional, often superficial, understanding of celebrity and proposes that genuine recognition stems from meaningful connection and consistent, humble contribution. The poem argues that being famous does not require grandiosity; instead, it is about being appreciated for who you are and what you do within your immediate world. It champions a quiet, understated kind of significance, rooted in everyday interactions and the fulfillment of one’s inherent purpose.
In-Depth Analysis
The Relativity of Fame
The opening lines immediately establish the poem’s central theme: fame is relative. “The river is famous to the fish” is a seemingly straightforward statement, yet it highlights that something can be well known within a specific context even if it is unknown to the wider world. This concept is reinforced in the following line, “The loud voice is famous to silence,” a beautiful paradox suggesting that even the most disruptive forces are acknowledged by their opposites. Silence is personified, saying “which knew it would inherit the earth before anybody said so.” This gives silence a sense of quiet power and demonstrates that recognition doesn’t always require a vocal response.
Fame and Perspective
The poem continues to build upon this idea, presenting a series of pairings that illustrate how fame depends on perspective. “The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds watching him from the birdhouse.” The cat is not a celebrity; it is simply a focus of attention for a particular audience. Similarly, “The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.” This fleeting moment of connection between physical sensation and emotional experience highlights the transient nature of even personal fame. The line “The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom” is particularly poignant, suggesting that our most cherished thoughts and beliefs are deeply known and validated by our inner selves.
Expanding the Scope of Recognition
Nye extends the concept of fame to inanimate objects, illustrating that even things devoid of sentience can hold significance within a specific context. “The boot is famous to the earth, more famous than the dress shoe, which is famous only to floors.” This comparison is subtle yet effective; the boot, through its interaction with the natural world, has a broader impact than the dress shoe, confined to the artificial environment of indoor spaces. It demonstrates that fame isn’t limited to living beings; it can be earned through function and interaction with the environment.
Personal Desire and Humble Fame
The poem takes a personal turn in the final stanza. “I want to be famous to shuffling men who smile while crossing streets, sticky children in grocery lines, famous as the one who smiled back.” The speaker does not aspire to widespread celebrity; instead, she desires to be recognized by ordinary people for a simple act of kindness. This humble desire is further emphasized in the final lines, “I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forgot what it could do.” The speaker wants to be valued for her reliability and consistent contribution, like a functional object that quietly fulfills its purpose.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: Throughout the poem, comparisons are made without using “like” or “as,” such as “The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom.”
- Imagery: Nye uses vivid language to create sensory experiences for the reader, like “shuffling men” and “sticky children.”
- Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects, such as “silence which knew it would inherit the earth.”
Poetic Devices
- Free Verse: The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter, giving it a conversational and natural tone.
- Repetition: While not a strict refrain, the recurring idea of “famous” emphasizes the poem’s central theme.
- Enjambment: Lines flow into one another without punctuation at the end, creating a sense of continuity and momentum, such as “The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom.”
- Conciseness: The poem’s language is remarkably economical; each word and image is carefully chosen to maximize impact.
Quotes for Reflection
The following lines offer powerful insights into the poem’s themes and can be used for personal reflection or discussion:
“I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forgot what it could do.”
This quote encapsulates the poem’s central message: true significance lies not in grand gestures but in consistently fulfilling one’s purpose with quiet reliability.