Poem Analysis - A Brave And Startling Truth
Maya Angelou's "A Brave and Startling Truth" is an optimistic yet realistic call for global unity and peace. The poem acknowledges humanity's flaws and capacity for destruction, but ultimately emphasizes our potential for transformation and the creation of a better world. The tone shifts from acknowledging the darkness of human nature to celebrating the possibilities of peace and understanding. The poem inspires hope, urging readers to recognize their collective power to shape a more just and compassionate future. It's a powerful reminder that true wonder lies not in grand monuments, but in humanity's capacity for change.
The Weight of the World: Acknowledging Humanity's Dual Nature
One of the central themes of the poem is the inherent duality within humanity. Angelou paints a picture of a species capable of both profound cruelty and immense kindness. Lines like, "Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger / Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace" highlight this contradiction. The "cankerous words" that challenge our existence contrast sharply with the "songs of such exquisite sweetness." This contrast emphasizes the struggle within each individual and within society as a whole. The poem suggests that acknowledging this duality is the first step toward overcoming our destructive tendencies and embracing our potential for good. The image of hands that "can strike with such abandon" but also "touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness" encapsulates this inherent tension.
From Conflict to Harmony: A Vision of Peacemaking
The poem envisions a future of peace and reconciliation, a "day of peacemaking" where humanity transcends its history of conflict. This theme is developed through vivid imagery of transformation: "When we release our fingers / From fists of hostility / And allow the pure air to cool our palms." The shedding of weapons ("When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders") and the removal of instruments of war ("When land mines of death have been removed") symbolize a rejection of violence. The transformation of symbols of conflict into symbols of peace ("children dress their dolls in flags of truce") reinforces the idea that peace is not just the absence of war, but a fundamental shift in mindset. The poem suggests that this future is not just a dream, but a possible and "imperative" goal.
Redefining Wonder: The Miracle of Human Potential
The poem challenges traditional notions of what constitutes "wonder." Angelou dismisses the grandeur of ancient monuments like the Pyramids and natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, arguing that they are not the "only wonders of the world." Instead, she posits that the true wonder lies in humanity's capacity for change and transformation. The "brave and startling truth" is that *we*, humanity, are the "possible," the "miraculous, the true wonder of this world." This redefinition of wonder shifts the focus from external achievements to internal potential. It emphasizes that the most remarkable thing about humanity is our ability to overcome our flaws and create a better future. The repetition of "When we come to it" serves as a hopeful refrain, reminding us that this potential is always within reach.
Symbolism of Cleansing and Renewal
Throughout the poem, the imagery of cleansing and renewal is prominent. The act of scrubbing "faces sooted with scorn" symbolizes the purification of the soul and the shedding of prejudice. The "pure air" that cools our palms represents a fresh start, a chance to rebuild trust and understanding. The "good, clean breeze" that makes the banners of the world tremble suggests a new era of transparency and accountability. Even the removal of landmines can be seen as a form of cleansing, purging the earth of its instruments of destruction. These recurring images reinforce the theme of transformation and the possibility of a brighter future.
A Call to Action: Embracing Our Collective Responsibility
In conclusion, "A Brave and Startling Truth" is a powerful and optimistic call to action. Angelou acknowledges the complexities of human nature, but ultimately emphasizes our potential for growth and transformation. The poem's message is that peace is not a passive state, but an active choice that requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to confront our own flaws. By recognizing our shared humanity and embracing our collective responsibility, we can create a world where "every man and every woman / Can live freely without sanctimonious piety / Without crippling fear." The poem serves as a reminder that the future is not predetermined, but shaped by our choices and actions. The poem suggests that only by accepting that "We are the possible" can we attain the society envisioned by the author.
If this is our moment to "come to it", there will of necessity, be several other evolutions to take place, despite overwhelming evidence that as a species we are devolving, alas. The first is not as Tolle would have us do, i.e., 'give up thinking'. It will be to recognize we are all one. That the superficial characteristics of gender, race, skin colour and language are instrumental in the diversity that makes humans different, one from t'other, yet the same, as all our blood runs red on the green grass. We originate, as does all life in its majestic diversity, from molten magma. Most of all, we will have to understand that the principle ethos of social media is sharing and that very idea of sharing, must replace the idea of personal profit, Eckhart before we give up thinking. What Maya has penned reveals that so clearly in our emotional lives, hardly profitable, but from whence our being springs from that very humanity.