Poem Analysis - They Are Hostile Nations

A Plea for Connection in a Dying World

Margaret Atwood's "They are hostile nations" is a poignant and urgent call for empathy and cooperation in the face of global crisis. The poem opens with a stark acknowledgment of environmental destruction and societal fear, creating a tone of impending doom. As the poem progresses, the speaker pleads for the abandonment of hostile defenses and the embrace of mutual support, culminating in a fragile hope for survival rooted in shared vulnerability. The poem's mood shifts from despair to a tentative optimism, contingent on the willingness of individuals to prioritize connection over conflict.

Echoes of Environmental and Social Anxiety

While it's difficult to pinpoint a precise historical event directly influencing the poem, it's clear that Atwood, writing from her perspective as a Canadian and a global citizen, is deeply concerned with broad issues of environmental degradation and social division. The "fading animals," "proliferation of sewers," "sea clogging," and "air nearing extinction" paint a vivid picture of ecological collapse, reflecting anxieties prevalent in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This backdrop of environmental crisis serves as a catalyst for examining interpersonal relationships and the potential for both hostility and collaboration.

The Futility of Conflict

One of the poem's central themes is the futility of conflict in the face of overwhelming threats. The second stanza directly addresses the adversarial stance individuals often adopt, describing relationships as "attacking." The imagery of "binoculars" and "aerial photograph" symbolizes suspicion and the tendency to view others as targets or threats. However, the speaker urges the abandonment of these defenses, suggesting that such hostility is ultimately unproductive and counterproductive when survival itself is at stake. The idea that gifts "warp" into implements and manoeuvres shows how good intentions can turn hostile.

Survival through Shared Vulnerability

Another prominent theme is the idea of survival through shared vulnerability. The poem emphasizes the importance of recognizing our common humanity and interdependence. In the third stanza, the absence of "armies" and "money" strips away the superficial structures of power and reveals the raw need for "each others’ breathing, warmth." This suggests that in a world stripped bare by crisis, the only true resource is human connection and mutual support. The line "surviving is the only war / we can afford" powerfully encapsulates this idea, highlighting the desperate need to set aside petty differences and concentrate on mutual preservation.

Imagery of a Barren Landscape

The poem's stark imagery reinforces its message of urgency and shared vulnerability. The "dormant field" and the "snow / that cannot be eaten or captured" present a landscape of desolation and scarcity. This imagery underscores the precariousness of human existence and the limitations of individual survival. The snow, which cannot be consumed, may symbolize the emotional coldness or the lack of nourishment that exists when people are not able to support one another. The poem's final image is that of a distant summer that is possibly the last one, suggesting a very slim hope for the future.

A Fragile Hope for Connection

In conclusion, "They are hostile nations" is a powerful plea for empathy and collaboration in a world facing multiple crises. Atwood uses stark imagery and direct language to convey the urgency of the situation and the futility of conflict. The poem ultimately suggests that survival hinges on our ability to recognize our shared vulnerability and prioritize connection over division. The final image, the "possibly last summer," leaves the reader with a sense of fragile hope, contingent on the willingness of individuals to embrace kindness and mutual support. The open-ended question remains: Can we overcome our hostile tendencies and make it to that summer together?