Poem Analysis - Its Like That

A World of Departures and Inevitable Unions

Jacques Prévert's "It's Like That" is a poignant exploration of loss, inevitability, and the complex, often contradictory nature of relationships. The poem's opening stanzas establish a melancholic tone, cataloging various departures and separations. However, this initial sense of sadness gradually gives way to a more complex and hopeful perspective, suggesting that even in loss, there is a cyclical nature to life, and new unions are always possible. The final stanzas offer a glimmer of hope, as the poem ends by contemplating marriage, a symbol of connection and commitment.

Echoes of Post-War France

While not explicitly stated, Prévert's background as a French poet writing in the aftermath of World War II may subtly influence the poem. The war was a period of immense loss and societal upheaval, and the numerous departures listed in the poem could be interpreted as a reflection of this widespread sense of displacement and separation. However, the poem’s later shift towards themes of union and hope may also reflect a desire to rebuild and find meaning in the face of adversity.

Love, Loss and Inevitability

The poem grapples with several interwoven themes, primarily focusing on love, loss, and inevitability. The initial verses present a series of departures: a sailor leaving the sea, a king leaving the queen, a miser leaving his gold. This establishes a theme of loss as a fundamental aspect of life. The poem also explores the inevitable nature of certain events: the knife will always wound, the rainbow always follows rain. This inevitability extends to the speaker’s relationship, as he predicts, “You will leave me,” yet also expresses hope, or perhaps resignation, to their eventual marriage. He shows a connection between leaving and marrying, as two sides of a coin, reflecting the cyclical nature of relationships and life itself.

Symbolism and Stark Imagery

Prévert employs a range of potent symbols and striking imagery to convey the poem’s message. The repeated image of "leaving" serves as a symbol of transience and impermanence. The contrasting images of the knife and the wound, the rainbow and the rain, and the smile and the tears, all suggest that opposing forces are inherently linked and that joy and sorrow are often intertwined. The most prominent symbol is, of course, marriage. It is used not only as a common concept of love, but also a strong metaphor for union and resolution. The poem creates unique marriages that may not immediately make sense. For example, the "caress marries the frown." In this line, Prévert might mean to say that every touch can have two sides, can be both loving and a symbol of pain or an unwanted gesture.

The Eternal Dance of Opposites

"It's Like That" is, at its core, a reflection on the human condition. The poem suggests that life is a series of departures and arrivals, losses and gains, and that even in the midst of sadness, there is always the possibility of connection and renewal. The final lines, with their repeated insistence that "You will marry me," emphasize the cyclical nature of life and love, suggesting that even death eventually leads to new life and that love persists, even amidst chaos and change. This acceptance of life’s dualities and inevitabilities is the poem's ultimate message.