Poem Analysis - In Back Of The Real

Introduction: Desolation and Discovery

Allen Ginsberg's "In Back Of The Real" presents a stark contrast between industrial decay and the persistence of life. The poem begins with a sense of desolation, as the speaker wanders through a railroad yard and past a tank factory. However, this bleakness gives way to a moment of profound observation as the speaker focuses on a single, resilient flower. The tone shifts from one of despair to one of reluctant admiration, even awe, as the poem progresses.

Industrial Landscape as a Reflection of Inner Despair

The poem opens by grounding the reader in a specific, gritty locale: a railroad yard in San Jose. The presence of a tank factory immediately introduces a sense of industrial might and potential destruction. Ginsberg's choice of words like "desolate" emphasizes the speaker's inner state of being. The industrial setting mirrors this internal landscape, suggesting a world devoid of beauty and hope at first glance. This sets the stage for the surprising appearance and contemplation of the flower.

The Flower: A Symbol of Resilience and Beauty in Decay

The flower is the central symbol of the poem, representing resilience, beauty found in unexpected places, and the enduring power of nature. Its description is initially unflattering: a "brittle black stem," a "corolla of yellowish dirty spikes," and a "soiled dry center cotton tuft." The comparison to "Jesus' inchlong crown" is particularly striking, juxtaposing religious imagery with the flower's unkempt appearance, suggesting a distorted or forgotten sacredness. However, despite its ugliness, the speaker acknowledges that it is "flower nonetheless," recognizing a fundamental beauty even in decay and industrial proximity.

The Paradox of Beauty and Ugliness

One of the main themes explored in "In Back Of The Real" is the co-existence of beauty and ugliness. The flower itself embodies this paradox. The speaker acknowledges its "tough spiky ugly" qualities, but also recognizes that it possesses "the form of the great yellow/Rose." This suggests that even in the most desolate environments, beauty can persist, albeit in a distorted or unconventional form. The flower's ability to thrive in such an environment underscores its resilience and challenges the reader to see beauty beyond superficial appearances.

Finding the World in a Single Flower

The poem culminates in the declaration, "This is the flower of the World." This statement elevates the humble flower to a symbol of universal significance. It suggests that the flower, with all its imperfections and resilience, encapsulates the essence of the world itself: a blend of beauty and ugliness, strength and fragility, hope and despair. The poem's final lines prompt reflection on the interconnectedness of all things and the potential for finding meaning and beauty in the most unexpected places. The poem suggests that even in the face of industrial decay and personal desolation, life, in its most persistent and unassuming forms, continues to bloom.