Account by Czeslaw Milosz

Czeslaw Milosz

·  Czeslaw Milosz (1911-2004) was a Polish-American poet, essayist, and translator.

·  He was born in Lithuania and later became a US citizen.

·  Milosz is known for his significant contributions to 20th-century poetry and literature.

·  He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1980.

·  Notable works include "The Captive Mind" (1953) and "The Issa Valley" (1955).

·  His writing often explored themes of human suffering, totalitarianism, and the human condition.

·  Milosz's works have been translated into multiple languages, making him an internationally renowned literary figure.

Account

 The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes.

 

Some would be devoted to acting against consciousness,

Like the flight of a moth which, had it known,

Would have tended nevertheless toward the candle’s flame.

 

Others would deal with ways to silence anxiety,

The little whisper which, though it is a warning, is ignored.

 

I would deal separately with satisfaction and pride,

The time when I was among their adherents

Who strut victoriously, unsuspecting.

 

But all of them would have one subject, desire,

If only my own—but no, not at all; alas,

I was driven because I wanted to be like others.

I was afraid of what was wild and indecent in me.

 

The history of my stupidity will not be written.

For one thing, it’s late. And the truth is laborious.

Summary

"Account" by Czeslaw Milosz is a contemplative and introspective poem that delves into the speaker's self-reflection on their own history of foolishness, regrets, and desires. It's a meditation on the complex nature of human consciousness and the intricate motivations that drive our actions.

The poem begins by acknowledging the vastness of the speaker's own foolishness, suggesting that it would require many volumes to capture its full scope. This foolishness is categorized into different aspects, some of which are devoted to actions taken against one's own consciousness, like the moth's fatal attraction to a flame. This symbolizes how humans sometimes act against their better judgment, drawn to self-destructive behaviors.

Another facet of this history deals with attempts to silence anxiety, indicating the futile struggle to quiet the inner turmoil even when the warning signs are apparent. The poem then shifts to recounting times when the speaker succumbed to satisfaction and pride, becoming oblivious to the consequences of their actions, much like those who strut victoriously without awareness.

However, the central theme that ties all these aspects of foolishness together is desire. The speaker acknowledges that their desire wasn't solely driven by their own wants but by a yearning to conform and be like others, to fit into societal norms and expectations. This desire is rooted in a fear of the wild and indecent aspects of their own nature, illustrating the inner conflict between conformity and individuality.

The poem concludes with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The speaker suggests that the history of their own foolishness will remain unwritten, in part due to the lateness of the hour and the laborious nature of revealing the truth. This implies that the complexity of human nature and the motivations behind our actions are too intricate to be fully understood or expressed in words, leaving the history of their stupidity unaccounted for.

Multiple Choice Questions

 

1. What is the main theme of the poem "Account" by Czeslaw Milosz?

A. Love and romance

B. Wisdom and knowledge

C. Human folly and desires

D. Nature and beauty

Answer: C. Human folly and desires

 

2. In the poem, what metaphor is used to describe making choices against one's better judgment?

A. The flight of a bird

B. The charge of a bull

C. The flight of a moth

D. The journey of a ship

Answer: C. The flight of a moth

 

3. What is the significance of the little whisper mentioned in the poem?

A. It provides guidance and wisdom

B. It serves as a source of anxiety

C. It is a sign of victory

D. It is a comforting thought

Answer: B. It serves as a source of anxiety

 

4. How does the poem describe the speaker's experiences of satisfaction and pride?

A. As moments of introspection

B. As times of great achievement

C. As moments of confidence and triumph

D. As times of defeat and despair

Answer: C. As moments of confidence and triumph

 

5. What is the common subject that would run through all the volumes of the speaker's history of stupidity?

A. Fear and anxiety

B. Desires and conformity

C. Wisdom and knowledge

D. Silence and caution

Answer: B. Desires and conformity

 

6. Why does the speaker state that the history of their stupidity will not be written?

A. Because it is too late to write it

B. Because the truth is too painful

C. Because it is too complex and laborious

D. Because the speaker is lazy

Answer: C. Because it is too complex and laborious

 

7. What does the moth's attraction to the candle's flame symbolize in the poem?

A. A desire for enlightenment

B. The pursuit of happiness

C. The paradox of self-destructive choices

D. Fear of the unknown

Answer: C. The paradox of self-destructive choices

 

8. What emotion is represented by the little whisper in the poem?

A. Joy and excitement

B. Wisdom and guidance

C. Anxiety and warning

D. Contentment and satisfaction

Answer: C. Anxiety and warning

 

9. What does the poem suggest about the speaker's desires and motivations?

A. They were entirely self-determined

B. They were driven by fear and conformity

C. They were always fulfilled

D. They were spontaneous and impulsive

Answer: B. They were driven by fear and conformity

 

10. What is the ultimate reason given for not writing the history of the speaker's stupidity?

A. Lack of writing skills

B. Fear of exposing weaknesses

C. Complexity and lateness

D. Lack of memory

Answer: C. Complexity and lateness

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is the central theme of "Account"? 

Answer: The central theme of "Account" is the exploration of human folly, desires, and the choices people make against their better judgment.

2. What metaphor is used in the poem to describe the speaker's choices against their better judgment, and why is it significant? 

Answer: The metaphor of a moth's flight towards a candle's flame is used to describe the speaker's choices against their better judgment. It is significant because it illustrates the paradox of knowingly making self-destructive decisions, mirroring the human tendency to be drawn to things that are ultimately harmful.

3. What is the role of the "little whisper" mentioned in the poem, and why is it ignored?

Answer: The "little whisper" serves as a warning, but it is ignored because it symbolizes anxiety, and people often dismiss such warnings due to their desire to pursue their desires and avoid confronting their fears.

4. How does the poem describe the moments of satisfaction and pride in the speaker's life? Answer: The poem describes these moments as times when the speaker struts victoriously, feeling successful and confident, unaware of the consequences or the potential folly of their actions.

5. Why does the speaker assert that the history of their stupidity will not be written? 

Answer: The speaker suggests that the history of their stupidity will not be written because it is late, and the truth is laborious to convey. The poem implies that the complexity of human desires and the difficulty of understanding one's own choices make it a challenging task to fully document and comprehend one's past mistakes.