Poem Analysis - One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong

Leonard Cohen's "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong" is a darkly humorous and unsettling exploration of obsession and its destructive consequences. The poem unfolds as a series of increasingly bizarre and self-destructive acts, driven by a narrator consumed by unrequited or complicated love. The tone is initially almost flippant, tinged with a twisted sense of romance, but steadily descends into madness and despair. The poem reads like a collection of tragicomic vignettes, showcasing the narrator's descent into a vortex of his own making.

The Destructive Nature of Obsessive Love

The poem fundamentally explores the theme of obsessive love and its potential for self-destruction. The narrator's actions, such as "tortur[ing] the dress" and attempting to make the object of his affection jealous, demonstrate an unhealthy preoccupation. This is further emphasized by the cascade of events that follow: the doctor's breakdown, the saint's suicide, and the Eskimo's freezing. These are all presented as collateral damage of the narrator's obsessive pursuit, suggesting that such intensity of feeling leads to ruin not just for the individual but for those around them. The line "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong" itself suggests a deluded and unwavering belief in the righteousness of his actions, regardless of the chaos they create.

The Poisoned Well of Romantic Idealization

Idealization is another prominent theme within the poem. The narrator doesn't seem to love a real person, but rather an idealized image he has constructed. This is evident in his reaction to the Eskimo's movie: "But you stand there so nice, in your blizzard of ice / Oh please let me come into the storm." He romanticizes even the coldness and distance, portraying the object of his desire as almost otherworldly and unreachable. This idealization leads to disappointment and despair, as the reality of the relationship inevitably falls short of his expectations. The image of the "saint" who drowns himself after teaching the tarnishing of the golden rule highlights how even seemingly spiritual guidance can be twisted into justification for destructive behavior when fueled by an idealized, and ultimately flawed, concept of love.

The Unreliability of Narratives and Sanity

The poem also subtly questions the reliability of the narrator and the nature of sanity. Each stanza presents a scenario that becomes increasingly outlandish and disturbing. The doctor's prescription and subsequent breakdown, the saint's suicide, and the Eskimo's freezing all paint a picture of a world touched by madness, and the narrator is at the center of it. It is difficult to discern what is real and what is a product of the narrator's distorted perception. Is the "dust of a long sleepless night" a literal act, or a metaphor for his mental state? Is the Eskimo freezing because of the woman's allure, or because of actual Arctic conditions? This ambiguity raises questions about the narrator's sanity and the reader's ability to trust his account, adding to the poem's unsettling effect.

Recurring Images of Destruction and Cold

Several recurring images contribute to the poem's overall message. The "mosquitos" drawn to the narrator's "free" body can be interpreted as symbols of unwanted attention and the consequences of vulnerability. The image of "dust" placed in the shoe suggests a subtle act of sabotage or a desire to inflict discomfort. Perhaps the most striking image is the "blizzard of ice" surrounding the object of the narrator's affection. This represents not only her emotional coldness but also the isolating and destructive nature of the narrator's obsession. The cold permeates the poem, freezing the Eskimo and suggesting a lack of warmth and genuine connection in the narrator's pursuit.

A Twisted Reflection on Love and Loss

In conclusion, "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong" is a chilling and darkly humorous exploration of obsessive love, idealization, and the fragile nature of sanity. Through vivid imagery and an unreliable narrator, Cohen creates a portrait of a man consumed by his desires, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The poem ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked obsession and the importance of distinguishing between genuine connection and self-destructive fantasy. The persistent ambiguity invites us to question not only the narrator's perspective but also the very nature of love and its potential for both salvation and ruin.