Poem Analysis - What Kind Of A Person

Yehuda Amichai's "What Kind Of A Person" is a profound exploration of self-identity in the face of existence. The poem grapples with the complexities of being human, caught between the ancient and the modern, the divine and the mundane. The tone starts as slightly defensive, answering a posed question, but evolves into a more introspective and ultimately accepting stance. There's a gentle humor underlying the seriousness, a characteristic often found in Amichai's work.

Historical and Personal Context

Yehuda Amichai, an Israeli poet, lived through significant historical events, including World War II and the establishment of the State of Israel. While not explicitly stated, the poem resonates with the feeling of living in a world shaped by both ancient traditions and modern anxieties. The reference to the "end of the twentieth century" anchors the poem in a specific time period marked by rapid technological advancement and profound cultural shifts, potentially impacting the poet's exploration of identity.

The Burden of Being: Themes of Identity and Limitation

One central theme is the multifaceted nature of identity. The speaker defines himself through contrasts: old body/old God versus sophisticated modern soul, fear of heights and depths, and the clumsy pestle instead of precise tools. This highlights the inherent contradictions within the self. Another theme revolves around limitations. The speaker acknowledges his fears and clumsy nature, rejecting idealized notions of strength or precision. He is not a sharp knife or a flat spatula but something heavier, more cumbersome, accepting the messiness of life. The numbered days alluded to near the end of the poem, under the proclamation of “Hallelujah,” suggests the theme of mortality. The poet acknowledges his time on earth is limited, infusing the self-portrait with a sense of urgency and finality.

Symbols of Self: The Pestle and Parking Meter

The recurring image of the speaker as a "heavy and clumsy pestle" is symbolic. A pestle mashes ingredients together, both good and bad, to create a taste or fragrance. This represents the speaker's approach to life – accepting the mixture of positive and negative experiences to form a whole, even if the process is not always graceful. The image of leaning on a parking meter has multiple layers. The meter, an emblem of modern urban life and the passage of time, contrasts with the speaker's ancient soul. The fact that he can stand there "for nothing, free" suggests a moment of liberation, finding peace in simply existing outside the demands of time and commerce. The parking meter is a very strong symbol of our modern lives, with its need for constant payment and fear of fines.

God and Man

The "man-god, a god-man" phrase captures the tension between human fallibility and divine potential. It suggests that within each person lies the capacity for both greatness and weakness. This duality is a recurring motif in Amichai's work, reflecting the complexities of faith and existence in a secular world. What does it really mean to be both?

Concluding Thoughts

"What Kind Of A Person" is a testament to the beauty of embracing human imperfections. Amichai crafts a complex self-portrait that acknowledges the contradictions and limitations inherent in being. The poem's power lies in its honesty and acceptance, reminding us that true identity is found not in perfection but in the messy,fragrant mixture of good and bad that makes up the human experience. The poem's concluding "Hallelujah" is not a triumphant cry, but rather an acknowledgement of the human condition - flawed, finite, yet somehow, still worthy of praise.