Only the feathers floating around the hat
Showed that anything more spectacular had occurred
Than the usual drowning. The police preferred to ignore
The confusing aspects of the case,
And the witnesses ran off to a gang war.
So the report filed and forgotten in the archives read simply
“Drowned,” but it was wrong: Icarus
Had swum away, coming at last to the city
Where he rented a house and tended the garden.
“That nice Mr. Hicks” the neighbors called,
Never dreaming that the gray, respectable suit
Concealed arms that had controlled huge wings
Nor that those sad, defeated eyes had once
Compelled the sun. And had he told them
They would have answered with a shocked,
uncomprehending stare.
No he could not disturb their neat front yards;
Yet all his books insisted that this was a horrible mistake:
What was he doing aging in a suburb?
Can the genius of the hero fall
To the middling stature of merely talented?
And nightly Icarus probes his wound
And daily in his workshop, curtains carefully drawn,
Constructs small wings and tries to fly
To the lighting fixture on the ceiling:
Fails every time and hates himself for trying.
He had thought himself a hero, had acted heroically,
And dreamt of his fall, the tragic fall of the hero;
But now rides commuter trains,
Serves on various committees,
And wishes he had drowned.
Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a fascinating journey into Edward Field’s “Icarus,” a poem that brilliantly reimagines a timeless myth for the modern age. Prepare to delve into its depths, uncover its hidden meanings, and appreciate the masterful craft behind its compelling narrative. This guide will illuminate the poem’s core, its intricate literary tapestry, and its profound commentary on ambition, identity, and the human condition.
Unraveling Edward Field’s “Icarus”
A Modern Myth Retold: The Core Narrative
Edward Field’s “Icarus” offers a striking contemporary twist on the ancient Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus. Instead of recounting the familiar tragic fall into the sea, the poem boldly posits that Icarus survived. He did not perish in a blaze of glory near the sun; rather, he “swum away, coming at last to the city.” This Icarus sheds his heroic identity, transforming into “Mr. Hicks,” a quiet, unassuming suburbanite who rents a house and tends his garden. The dramatic incident of his flight is dismissed by authorities as “the usual drowning,” and forgotten. The poem’s central idea is a poignant exploration of disillusionment and the profound internal conflict that arises when an extraordinary individual is forced to assimilate into an ordinary, mundane existence.
This reimagining challenges our expectations of heroism and tragedy. It asks what becomes of a person who once soared among the gods but now rides “commuter trains” and “serves on various committees.” The poem is not merely a retelling; it is a profound reflection on identity, the weight of past glory, the pressure to conform, and the quiet desperation that can accompany a life devoid of grand purpose. It suggests that sometimes, the greatest tragedy is not a spectacular fall, but a slow, agonizing descent into mediocrity.
Beyond the Fall: Themes and Deeper Meanings
The poem “Icarus” delves into several powerful themes, offering a rich tapestry for analysis. At its heart lies the theme of lost identity and the burden of past glory. Icarus, once a figure of daring ambition, is now “Mr. Hicks,” a man whose true self is “Concealed arms that had controlled huge wings.” His past is a secret, too grand and unbelievable for his new neighbors. This creates a profound sense of internal conflict, as his “books insisted that this was a horrible mistake.” He is haunted by the question, “What was he doing aging in a suburb?”
Another significant theme is the tragedy of the mundane. Field subverts the traditional tragic narrative. Icarus’s tragedy is not his death, but his survival into a life he despises. His daily attempts to fly to the “lighting fixture on the ceiling” and his subsequent self-loathing, “Fails every time and hates himself for trying,” vividly portray the soul-crushing reality of his existence. The poem suggests that a life without purpose or the pursuit of one’s true potential can be more devastating than a glorious failure.
The poem also explores the pressure to conform and societal expectations. Icarus’s transformation into “Mr. Hicks” is an act of conformity, a surrender to the “gray, respectable suit” of suburban life. His inability to share his past with his neighbors, fearing their “shocked, uncomprehending stare,” highlights the societal intolerance for the extraordinary. The poem implicitly critiques a society that values “neat front yards” over genuine genius and daring ambition, leading to the heartbreaking conclusion that Icarus “wishes he had drowned.”
Literary Devices in “Icarus”: Crafting Meaning
Edward Field masterfully employs a range of literary devices to enrich the poem’s meaning and impact, allowing readers to delve deeper into Icarus’s modern predicament. Understanding these techniques unveils a deeper appreciation for the poem’s artistry.
Allusion: A Myth Subverted
The most prominent literary device is the poem’s direct allusion to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus. Field does not simply retell the story; he dramatically subverts it. The very premise of Icarus surviving challenges our ingrained understanding of the myth. This contrast between the well-known tragic myth and the poem’s mundane narrative is crucial to understanding its message about the nature of heroism and tragedy. The poem begins by hinting at the myth’s aftermath:
Only the feathers floating around the hat
Showed that anything more spectacular had occurred
Than the usual drowning.
This opening immediately draws upon the reader’s knowledge of the myth, setting the stage for Field’s unexpected continuation.
Imagery: Painting the Past and Present
Field uses vivid imagery to paint contrasting pictures of Icarus’s past grandeur and his present anonymity. The initial image of “feathers floating around the hat” is particularly striking, a stark visual remnant of a spectacular flight juxtaposed with the banality of a “usual drowning.” Later, the image of the “gray, respectable suit” vividly portrays his conformity to societal norms, while his “sad, defeated eyes” offer a window into his internal despair. These images effectively convey the chasm between who Icarus was and who he has become.
Metaphor: The Everyday Hero
The entire poem can be seen as an extended metaphor for the disillusionment and compromise that often accompany the transition from youthful ambition to adult reality. Icarus’s transformation into “Mr. Hicks” symbolizes the loss of grand ambition and the acceptance of a conventional, uninspired life. His attempts to fly to the “lighting fixture on the ceiling” are a metaphor for his diminished aspirations, a pathetic echo of his former soaring flights. The poem uses his literal fall and subsequent mundane survival to metaphorically represent the “fall” from heroic potential to “middling stature.”
Symbolism: Objects of Lost Grandeur
Several elements within the poem carry significant symbolic weight. The “feathers” symbolize Icarus’s lost freedom, ambition, and heroic identity. They are the only tangible link to his past glory. The “gray, respectable suit” represents his conformity to societal norms and the suppression of his true, extraordinary self. The “garden” he tends can be interpreted as a futile attempt to cultivate meaning and beauty in a life that feels barren and unfulfilling, a small, controlled world contrasting with the vast sky he once commanded.
Personification: Giving Life to Emotion
Field employs personification to imbue inanimate objects or abstract concepts with human qualities, deepening the emotional impact. The phrase “those sad, defeated eyes” personifies Icarus’s eyes, imbuing them with human emotion and highlighting his profound internal struggle and regret. This device adds depth to his characterization, allowing the reader to feel the weight of his unfulfilled past and present despair.
Rhetorical Questions: Probing the Soul
The poem features powerful rhetorical questions that are not meant to be answered but rather to emphasize the poem’s central themes and invite the reader to contemplate Icarus’s predicament. Questions such as “What was he doing aging in a suburb?” and “Can the genius of the hero fall
To the middling stature of merely talented?” serve to highlight the profound sense of misplacement and the tragic waste of potential. These questions directly engage the reader, prompting reflection on the compromises made in life and the definition of true heroism.
Poetic Devices in “Icarus”: Shaping the Experience
Beyond literary devices, Field utilizes specific poetic techniques that shape the poem’s impact and meaning, contributing to its unique voice and structure.
Diction: The Language of the Mundane
Field employs a conversational, understated diction throughout the poem. The language is accessible, unpretentious, and often ironic, creating a sense of intimacy and realism. This choice of words, focusing on “commuter trains” and “committees” rather than epic battles or divine interventions, sharply contrasts with the grand scale of the original myth. This deliberate ordinariness in language highlights the poem’s focus on the mundane reality of Icarus’s survival, making his internal struggle feel more immediate and relatable.
Free Verse: Unbound Expression
“Icarus” is written in free verse, meaning it lacks a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Field to create a natural, flowing rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of thought and conversation. The absence of strict poetic constraints gives the poem a modern, unforced quality, reflecting the unstructured, often monotonous nature of Icarus’s new life. This freedom in form complements the poem’s thematic exploration of lost freedom and conformity.
Stanza Structure: A Continuous Narrative
The poem consists of a single, extended stanza. This continuous structure contributes to the poem’s sense of an unbroken narrative, reflecting the relentless, uninterrupted passage of time in Icarus’s life. There are no breaks or pauses, mirroring the inescapable routine and the ongoing internal struggle that defines his existence as “Mr. Hicks.” This unbroken flow emphasizes the pervasive nature of his regret and the unending cycle of his mundane days.
Tone: From Detachment to Despair
The tone of the poem is complex and nuanced, evolving throughout the narrative. It begins with a detached, almost ironic tone, particularly in the description of the police ignoring “confusing aspects of the case.” This shifts to a more melancholic and introspective mood as the poem delves into Icarus’s inner world. The final lines reveal a profound sense of regret and despair, culminating in the heartbreaking admission that he “wishes he had drowned.” This journey in tone mirrors Icarus’s own emotional trajectory, from a seemingly successful assimilation to a deep, agonizing self-loathing.
Sound Devices: Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance
While not overtly dominant, Field subtly uses various sound devices to add texture and rhythm. Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, can be found in phrases like “feathers floating,” drawing attention to the remnants of Icarus’s past. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, appears in lines such as “Had swum away, coming at last to the city,” creating a subtle internal harmony. Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, is present in “What was he doing aging in a suburb?” where the ‘s’ sound contributes to a sense of quiet resignation. These subtle sonic elements enhance the poem’s musicality without detracting from its conversational style.
The Enduring Message of “Icarus”
Edward Field’s “Icarus” stands as a powerful and thought-provoking poem, offering a unique lens through which to view ambition, identity, and the compromises of modern life. It challenges us to consider what constitutes a true tragedy: a spectacular, albeit fatal, pursuit of greatness, or a slow, agonizing surrender to the ordinary. The poem’s enduring message lies in its poignant portrayal of a hero stripped of his heroism, left to grapple with the quiet desperation of unfulfilled potential. The final lines resonate with a profound sense of loss and regret:
Fails every time and hates himself for trying.
He had thought himself a hero, had acted heroically,
And dreamt of his fall, the tragic fall of the hero;
But now rides commuter trains,
Serves on various committees,
And wishes he had drowned.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central themes, offering a powerful commentary on the compromises we make in the pursuit of a conventional life. They serve as a poignant reminder that sometimes, the greatest tragedy isn’t death, but the loss of our dreams and the agonizing realization that a life unlived to its fullest potential can be a fate far worse than any spectacular fall.