Narcissus
Last night the shadows chased me
And the wintermoon screamed in my ears
Ah Calcutta, I could not sleep.
I watched
Your silent city weave
A tapestry of poems, songs, dead roses
And a pair of deep brown eyes.
I saw
A thousand gipsy summers
Ride down Midnight avenue
I travelled
National highway 37
And spoke to the wild geese at dawn
I heard
The paddy-birds in the rice-fields
Singing Ave Maria.
And when the thorn-bird brought me back
You did not hear my goodbye
Farewell Virgo
I leave you
Part of my eveningsong
And the dreams autumn borrowed last year
Take care
Of your solipsism
And give my love
To Dylan on the twelve thirty
He’ll be wearing an Arabian night.
About the Poet
Easterine Kire:
• An acclaimed poet from Northeast India (Nagaland) known for her evocative imagery and sensitive portrayals of nature, identity, and the self.
• Kire’s work often weaves personal memory with myth and cultural symbolism, reflecting on the complexities of belonging and self-reflection in a rapidly changing world.
• Writing in English, her poems offer a fresh perspective that bridges traditional Indian aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
2. Background/Context of the Poem
• Literary Context:
– “Narcissus” reimagines the classical myth of Narcissus—a figure who fell in love with his own reflection—to comment on modern self-obsession and the delicate nature of self-identity.
– The poem fits within a tradition of Indian English poetry that often uses myth to explore personal and cultural issues.
• Cultural & Personal Context:
– In a world where images and self-representation are increasingly central, the poem questions the balance between healthy self-reflection and destructive self-absorption.
– Drawing from the myth, Kire reflects on how an overindulgence in one’s own image can lead to isolation and loss of genuine connection.
3. Summary of the Poem
• Opening and Imagery:
– The poem opens with the speaker describing a reflective scene—often involving a body of water that acts as a mirror—evoking the myth of Narcissus.
– The image of the self, reflected in the calm, clear water, serves as both an object of admiration and a warning.
• Development:
– As the poem unfolds, the speaker contemplates the allure of the reflection, noting the beauty and perfection captured in that image.
– However, this admiration is tinged with a sense of melancholy; the reflection becomes a symbol of an inward gaze that may lead to self-obsession.
• Climax & Resolution:
– The speaker shifts from mere admiration to a cautionary tone, suggesting that excessive self-love can lead to a loss of connection with the outside world.
– The poem concludes on a reflective note, urging the reader to balance self-awareness with humility and to be wary of the isolating effects of self-absorption.
4. Main Themes
• Self-Reflection and Identity:
– The poem uses the myth of Narcissus to explore how we see ourselves and the ways in which self-admiration can both empower and isolate us.
• The Danger of Excessive Self-Love:
– While a healthy self-regard can be positive, the poem warns that becoming too enamored with one’s own image may lead to narcissism and isolation.
• Duality of Beauty:
– The reflective image symbolizes beauty and perfection on one hand, yet also hints at a hollowness or emptiness when that beauty is pursued at the expense of broader human connection.
• Alienation in Modernity:
– The poem subtly comments on how modern life—marked by images, reflections, and mediated self-representations—can lead to an inner solitude.
5. Poetic Devices Used
• Allusion:
– Direct reference to the myth of Narcissus establishes a framework for interpreting self-obsession and vanity.
• Imagery:
– Vivid descriptions of water, mirrors, and reflections create a visual and tactile experience that underscores the theme of self-examination.
• Metaphor:
– The reflective surface is a metaphor for the self; it both reveals and distorts the truth about one’s identity.
• Symbolism:
– The water or mirror symbolizes the act of self-reflection and the fine line between admiration and narcissism.
• Tone:
– A reflective, introspective tone runs throughout the poem, shifting from admiration to a cautionary warning about the perils of self-absorption.
• Irony:
– There is an ironic undercurrent in the admiration of one’s own image—it is both beautiful and dangerous, suggesting that what appears perfect may ultimately lead to self-destruction.
6. Sample Essay Questions & Synoptic Answers
Essay Question 1:
Discuss how “Narcissus” by Easterine Kire reinterprets the classical myth to comment on modern identity and self-obsession.
Synoptic Answer:
“Narcissus” by Easterine Kire draws on the ancient myth of a youth entranced by his own reflection to explore contemporary issues of identity and self-obsession. In reinterpreting this myth, Kire shifts the focus from mere vanity to a deeper commentary on the isolation that can arise from an inward, self-centered gaze. The poem’s vivid imagery of reflective surfaces and the mesmerizing allure of one’s own image captures the double-edged nature of self-admiration—while it celebrates individual beauty and uniqueness, it also warns of the dangers of becoming disconnected from others. Kire’s language is both lyrical and cautionary, urging the reader to balance introspection with engagement with the wider world. In this way, the poem serves as a mirror to modern life, where the proliferation of images often leads to an excessive focus on self, at the risk of losing genuine human connection.
Essay Question 2:
Examine the role of imagery and symbolism in “Narcissus” and explain how they contribute to the poem’s overall theme of self-reflection.
Synoptic Answer:
In “Narcissus,” imagery and symbolism are pivotal in conveying the theme of self-reflection. The poem employs vivid imagery—descriptions of clear, reflective water and the mesmerizing play of light—to evoke the classical image of Narcissus gazing at his own reflection. This visual representation serves as a powerful symbol of the self, highlighting both the allure and the inherent risk of self-absorption. The mirror-like quality of water becomes a metaphor for introspection, revealing not only external beauty but also the inner void that can result from an excessive preoccupation with one’s image. By interweaving these images with the classical myth, Kire effectively critiques modern society’s fixation on appearance and the isolation that often follows. The imagery thus deepens the reader’s understanding of how self-reflection can be both enriching and potentially alienating.
7. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
-
Who is the poet of “Narcissus”?
A) Kamala Das
B) Easterine Kire
C) Nissim Ezekiel
D) Sarojini Naidu
Answer: B) Easterine Kire -
Which myth does “Narcissus” allude to?
A) The myth of Apollo
B) The myth of Narcissus
C) The myth of Persephone
D) The myth of Icarus
Answer: B) The myth of Narcissus -
What central theme is explored in “Narcissus”?
A) The beauty of nature
B) The perils of self-obsession
C) The struggle against societal norms
D) The triumph of love over adversity
Answer: B) The perils of self-obsession -
What does the reflective surface in the poem symbolize?
A) The passage of time
B) The self and self-examination
C) The barrier between reality and dreams
D) The chaotic nature of modern life
Answer: B) The self and self-examination -
How is the tone of “Narcissus” best described?
A) Joyful and exuberant
B) Reflective and cautionary
C) Aggressive and confrontational
D) Detached and clinical
Answer: B) Reflective and cautionary -
Which literary device is used when the poem refers to the myth of Narcissus?
A) Personification
B) Allusion
C) Hyperbole
D) Onomatopoeia
Answer: B) Allusion -
What warning does the poem “Narcissus” convey?
A) That nature is uncontrollable
B) That excessive self-love can lead to isolation
C) That modernity undermines traditional values
D) That beauty fades with time
Answer: B) That excessive self-love can lead to isolation -
Which imagery is most prominent in “Narcissus”?
A) Urban landscapes
B) Water and reflective surfaces
C) Rural villages
D) Stormy weather
Answer: B) Water and reflective surfaces -
The poem “Narcissus” can best be classified as:
A) A narrative ballad
B) A confessional poem
C) A lyrical meditation
D) An epic
Answer: C) A lyrical meditation -
What is the overall effect of the poem’s symbolism?
A) It glorifies individual vanity without consequence.
B) It illustrates the beauty of self-reflection while cautioning against self-obsession.
C) It emphasizes the triumph of physical beauty over inner substance.
D) It promotes a rejection of all traditional myths.
Answer: B) It illustrates the beauty of self-reflection while cautioning against self-obsession.