Poem Analysis - Insignificant

Introduction: A Descent into Disquiet

Maya Angelou's "Insignificant" is a poignant exploration of seemingly minor events that collectively contribute to a profound sense of unease and disillusionment. The poem initially presents a series of odd, slightly off-kilter moments, creating a feeling of disorientation. As it progresses, the tone shifts from curious observation to quiet despair as the speaker confronts a life-altering revelation and a desperate yearning. The poem’s power lies in its ability to convey immense emotional weight through the depiction of the ordinary.

The Unraveling of the Everyday

The poem opens with a series of peculiar incidents that immediately establish a sense of something being amiss. The "salt lost half its savor" is a striking image, suggesting a loss of vitality and enjoyment in everyday life. This subtle yet unsettling detail is followed by the bizarre experience of the "two yellow-striped bumblebees" getting lost in the speaker's hair. While the release of the bees might seem like a positive act, their "droned away" flight into the afternoon reinforces a sense of departure and fading hope. These initial events, dismissed as "insignificant" by the poem's title and closing lines, are actually the building blocks of a deeper, more profound emotional crisis.

Themes of Disappointment and Yearning

One central theme is that of disappointment. The salt losing its savor, the bumblebees getting lost, and the mistaken auditory hallucination all contribute to a feeling that reality is not meeting expectations. The most profound disappointment, however, is likely tied to the "news" received at the clinic. Coupled with the nurse's "half pity and part pride," this strongly suggests an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy. Another key theme is yearning, vividly displayed in the speaker's desperate run towards what she *thought* was her beloved’s voice. This highlights a deep-seated desire for connection and reassurance, which is ultimately unmet. Finally, the poem grapples with insignificance itself. The title and closing lines suggest that these events are trivial, yet the speaker's emotional response belies this claim. The poem questions whether seemingly small occurrences can, in fact, have a significant impact on one's life.

Symbols of Lost Hope and False Promise

The imagery in the poem is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's emotional state. The railroad track and the specific names of the railroads ("Baltimore and the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe") can be interpreted as symbols of false promise. The speaker runs towards the sound, hoping for connection, but finds only a train, a symbol of movement and potential, yet ultimately impersonal and uncaring. The railroads, historically significant for connecting people and places, ironically highlight the speaker's isolation. The image of "running like water" could represent fluidity, a desire to escape the new reality, but also a lack of control, being swept away by circumstance. Perhaps the most impactful symbol is that of the lost savor in the salt, an image of something essential in life losing its flavor, mirroring the loss of joy and vitality felt by the speaker.

The Train as an Auditory Hallucination

The line "Then I thought I heard you call" introduces an auditory hallucination. The speaker mistakenly identifies the sound of the train as the call of someone significant, possibly the father of the child she might be carrying. It highlights the speaker's desperate longing for connection and support in the face of overwhelming news. The trains become an echo of a loved one's call, and in rushing towards it, represents the rush towards what one wishes, however fleeting or deceptive it may be. The contrast between the anticipated warmth of a loved one's voice and the cold reality of the passing train powerfully emphasizes the speaker's profound disappointment and isolation.

Conclusion: Finding Significance in the Insignificant

"Insignificant" is a powerful testament to the profound impact that seemingly minor events can have on a person's life. Through vivid imagery and a shift from odd curiosity to quiet despair, Angelou explores themes of disappointment, yearning, and the question of what truly constitutes significance. While the poem concludes with the assertion that these are "small insignificancies," the depth of the speaker's emotional response suggests otherwise. The poem invites us to consider the ways in which seemingly trivial occurrences can accumulate to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, ultimately questioning whether anything is truly insignificant when it comes to the human experience.