The poem ends with an equalizing statistic that 100 out of 100 people are mortal, underlining the shared fate that unites us all. This is a highly meaningful piece that contains a great deal of context to dig into. Readers are likely to find themselves learning more and more from this poem if they read it more than once.
Summary
‘A Contribution to Statistics’ by Wislawa Szymborska utilizes numerical figures to categorize different kinds of people based on their characteristics.
The poem starts with observations like “those who always know better — fifty-two” and moves to more complex categories such as “cruel when forced by circumstances — better not to know even ballpark figures.”
There is a hint of irony in the use of cold statistics to describe something as intricate as human nature. Some categories have precise counts, while others are deliberately vague.
Structure and Form
‘A Contribution to Statistics’ by Wislawa Szymborska is a nineteen-stanza poem that is divided into short stanzas. These range from one line in length up to four. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. It should be noted, though, that this poem was originally written in Polish and the version analyzed below was translated from the original by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak.
Literary Devices
In this poem, the poet uses a few different literary devices. For example:
- Enjambment: this can be seen when the poet cuts off a line before its natural stopping point. For example, the transition between lines one and two.
- Paradox: The poem employs paradox when it comes to statements like “harmless singly, savage in crowds,” highlighting the contradictory but often true nature of human behavior.
- Irony: One of the most striking literary devices is the use of irony. Using statistics to analyze the complexity of human nature itself is an ironic act.
Detailed Analysis
Stanzas One-Five
Out of a hundred people
those who always know better
— fifty-twodoubting every step
— nearly all the rest,glad to lend a hand
if it doesn’t take too long
— as high as forty-nine,always good
because they can’t be otherwise
— four, well maybe five,
In the first lines of this piece, the poet presents a group of people who are overconfident or think they are more intelligent than others. The number “fifty-two” suggests this is the majority, thereby critiquing a commonly observed human trait of assuming superiority.
The poet also indicates that this group is also quite large, offering a commentary on the pervasive nature of self-doubt in society. They are willing to help, but only if it’s convenient for them.
In the fifth stanza, he says that people are intrinsically good, not because they want to be seen as good or because it’s convenient, but simply because they can’t be otherwise.
Stanzas Six-Eleven
able to admire without envy
(…)
harmless singly, savage in crowds
— half at least,
The next few short stanzas continue to delve into the complexities and paradoxes of human nature. The phrase “able to admire without envy — eighteen” speaks to a level of emotional maturity and self-assurance that most people find challenging.
The relative number of eighteen underscores how rare it is to find individuals who can truly appreciate the success or beauty of others. This rarity is an interesting counterpoint to the more commonly observed traits mentioned earlier in the poem.
In the next section, the poet explores the naiveté and false perceptions that often accompany younger years. The line “not to be taken lightly — forty and four” is somewhat ambiguous. It could refer to people who have a serious demeanor or people whose actions and words carry weight and significance.
In the next couple of lines, “Living in constant fear of someone or something / — seventy-seven,” the poet observes how many people live their lives gripped by some form of fear.
The poet also notes that only a small group of people are truly capable of feeling happy. This line invites the reader to consider what barriers prevent the majority from attaining this state.
Stanzas Twelve-Fifteen
cruel
(…)
no flashlight in the dark
— eighty-three
sooner or later,
In the next few stanzas, Szymborska utilizes a blend of deliberate ambiguity, irony, and stark specificity to elicit reflection. She begins by addressing the disturbing capability for cruelty that individuals may exhibit when under external pressures. Rather than offering a numerical figure, as she does with other human traits, Szymborska chooses to leave this category open-ended.
Moving on to the subject of wisdom, the poet slyly critiques hindsight bias. She suggests that more people consider themselves wise after an event has unfolded than those who can claim to be wise in anticipation of events.
Moving on, the notion of selfishness is explored with both a numerical value and a personal parenthetical aside from the poet. The use of a number serves as an indictment, but it’s the poet’s own commentary that adds true depth to the poetic conversation.
Next, the poet confronts the inevitable human experience of suffering. She states that the majority will face some form of pain. The exact number here serves to underline the universality of this human experience.
Stanzas Sixteen-Nineteen
righteous
(…)
Thus far this figure still remains unchanged.
The concluding lines of Wislawa Szymborska’s ‘A Contribution to Statistics’ provide a closing argument. Here, the poet merges moral considerations with the existential facts of life. The poet introduces the concept of righteousness, specifically. She says there is a difference between those who are merely righteous and those who are both righteous and understanding.
This reveals the poet’s subtle assertion that true moral virtue is not merely about being right or wrong. Instead, it actually involves a deep level of understanding and empathy, which is exceptionally rare.
The final lines, “mortal /— a hundred out of a hundred. / Thus far this figure still remains unchanged,” is a powerful statement on the universality of human mortality. It injects a note of irony and finality. By ending with the universal condition of mortality, Szymborska underscores the shared fate that binds us all.
FAQs
The central theme of this poem is the complexities and contradictions inherent in human nature. The poem serves as an analytical yet emotionally charged catalog of various human traits.
This piece is a reflective, observational poem that can be categorized as a social commentary or philosophical poem. It employs elements of satire, irony, and paradox.
The mood of the poem is largely analytical but tinged with irony, melancholy, and even a hint of existential dread. While the poet applies a seemingly dispassionate statistical approach, the resulting portrait of humanity is far from neutral.
The tone of the poem is both detached and intimate. It blends a scientific, analytical approach with a deep understanding of human complexities.
Similar Poetry
Readers who enjoyed this poem would also consider reading some other Wislawa Szymborska poems. For example:
- ‘The Three Oddest Words’ – is a poem that addresses peculiarities of language in ways that reflect the peculiarities themselves.
Some other related poems include:
- ‘Early Death’ by Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal – is a haunting meditation on mortality and spiritual transcendence.
- ‘The Eternal Goodness’ by John Greenleaf Whittier – is a relatively unknown 19th-century poem that explores religious themes and the various ways that God’s love comes through.
