The chatter of little people
Breaks on my purpose
Like the water-drops which slowly wear the rocks to powder.
And while I laugh
My spirit crumbles at their teasing touch.
Source: Selected Poems of Amy Lowell (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002)
"Aliens" by Amy Lowell is a short poem that delves into the speaker's sense of alienation or disconnection from the "little people" around them. The title itself, "Aliens," suggests a feeling of being apart or different.
The first line, "The chatter of little people," sets the tone of the poem, presenting the speaker's perception of others as insignificant or diminutive. This could refer to individuals who are perceived as trivial or inconsequential in the speaker's life, or it could symbolize societal norms and expectations that the speaker feels alienated from.
The comparison of the chatter to "water-drops which slowly wear the rocks to powder" evokes a sense of persistence and erosion. It suggests that the constant chatter of these "little people" is gradually wearing down the speaker's resolve or sense of purpose. Despite the speaker's attempt to laugh it off ("And while I laugh"), their spirit is still affected, depicted as crumbling under the weight of this persistent intrusion ("My spirit crumbles at their teasing touch").
Overall, the poem captures a sense of vulnerability and fragility in the speaker's emotional state, as they struggle with the impact of external influences on their sense of self and purpose. It suggests a tension between the desire for independence and the inevitability of being influenced or affected by others.
Poem Analysis by Allpoetry:
The poem "Aliens" by Amy Lowell depicts the speaker's struggle against the trivial gossip and mockery of others. The "chatter" of "little people" chips away at the speaker's resolve and spirit, like water eroding rock. The speaker tries to remain resilient, but their inner self is gradually weakened by the relentless criticism.
Compared to Lowell's other works, this poem exhibits a more somber tone and introspective focus. It lacks the exuberant celebration of nature and beauty found in many of her nature poems. Instead, it explores the psychological impact of social pressure and the difficulty of maintaining inner strength in the face of adversity.
For its time period, "Aliens" reflects the growing sense of alienation and isolation in modern society. The poem captures the struggle to find one's place in a world that often seems indifferent or even hostile. It resonates with the themes of loneliness, social fragmentation, and the need for self-discovery that permeated much of early 20th-century literature.
