Poem Analysis - I Have Become Very Hairy

Introduction: A Descent into Anxiety and Yearning

Yehuda Amichai's "I Have Become Very Hairy" is a short, impactful poem that plunges the reader into a world of unease and longing. The poem's initial unsettling image of excessive hairiness quickly expands to encompass themes of fear, isolation, and a desperate desire for peace. The tone is initially anxious and paranoid, shifting towards a melancholic resignation in the final stanzas. The poem is driven by a profound sense of vulnerability and the awareness of impending doom, juxtaposed with a yearning for tranquility.

Historical Context: Post-War Trauma and Israeli Identity

Yehuda Amichai, an Israeli poet, lived through significant periods of conflict and change in Israel's history. While the poem doesn't explicitly mention historical events, the underlying anxiety and sense of vulnerability can be interpreted as reflecting the post-war trauma and the ongoing tensions that characterized Israeli society. The poem's exploration of identity and belonging could also be seen as reflecting the challenges of forging a national identity in a region marked by conflict and displacement.

Theme: The Impossibility of Finding Peace

One of the primary themes is the impossibility of finding peace. The speaker craves calmness, as indicated by the desire to be "calm, like a mound with all its cities destroyed, / and tranquil, like a full cemetery." These images, paradoxically, depict peace as a state of utter destruction and death, suggesting that true peace is unattainable in life. The contrast between this yearning and the speaker's restless state ("Restless I shall wander about") highlights the poem's central conflict. The finality of death is the only peace offered.

Theme: Fear and Paranoia

Fear and paranoia are central to the poem. The opening lines, "I'm afraid they'll start hunting me because of my fur," establish a sense of immediate threat. This fear is not explicitly explained, making it all the more unsettling and suggestive of deeper anxieties. The image of the body "open and awake under the blanket, / like eyes under the blindfold of someone to be shot," further intensifies this theme, evoking a feeling of helplessness and impending execution. The speaker seems to be targeted by an unknown force.

Theme: The Alienation of the Individual

The poem also explores the theme of alienation and isolation. The speaker feels different and hunted, as if their very being is a threat. The line "My multicolored shirt has no meaning of love -- / it looks like an air photo of a railway station" uses a striking image to convey a sense of disconnection. The shirt, which should symbolize love and connection, is instead compared to a cold, impersonal railway station, a place of transient movement and anonymity. The 'air photo' suggests a removed, detached perspective, further emphasizing the speaker's isolation.

Symbolism: The Hairy Body as a Mark of Otherness

The "hairy" body serves as a powerful symbol of otherness and vulnerability. The excessive hairiness distinguishes the speaker, making them a target for persecution. It could also be interpreted as a sign of uncontrolled primal instincts, making the speaker fear their own nature. This image is both grotesque and pitiable, emphasizing the speaker's defenselessness. It can also be interpreted as a symbol of growing older, hair growing more than shrinking.

Concluding Thoughts: A Lament for Lost Tranquility

In conclusion, "I Have Become Very Hairy" is a poignant exploration of anxiety, alienation, and the elusive nature of peace. Through vivid imagery and a somber tone, Amichai creates a compelling portrait of an individual struggling with inner turmoil and a sense of impending doom. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to capture the universal human desire for tranquility and the painful recognition of its fleeting presence in a world filled with uncertainty and fear. The final lines cement the realization that peace will only come with death.