The Slipperiness of Time in Rae Armantrout’s “Setup”
In her poem “Setup,” Rae Armantrout prompts readers to consider the human ability to conceive of a future and the effect it has on our perception of time. The poem challenges readers to question the accuracy of their predictions and their level of preparedness for what’s to come. At first, the poem appears to be a practical proposition about humans, but as it progresses, it becomes more slippery and elusive, leaving readers with a sense of uncertainty.
Our Ability to Conceive of a Future
Armantrout begins the poem by acknowledging that humans have the ability to conceive of a future. This trait distinguishes us from other animals and prompts them to view us with mild alarm. Our ability to anticipate and plan for the future allows us to take control of our lives and shape our destinies. However, it also causes us to feel dislocated in time and to struggle when events don’t go according to plan.
The Slippery Nature of Time
As the poem progresses, Armantrout’s language becomes more abstract, and the poem’s meaning becomes more ambiguous. The bets change, and what once appeared to be a practical proposition becomes more like a riddle. Armantrout asks readers to consider what they may have missed or overlooked, leading to a lack of preparation for what’s to come. The forecast may not come to fruition as we anticipated, leaving us stunned and unable to feel what we touch.
Our Belief in Abstractions
Armantrout connects our lack of preparedness to our belief in abstractions. We hold onto concepts and ideals that may not be grounded in reality and fail to see the world as it truly is. Our attachment to abstractions blinds us to certain realities and limits our ability to take meaningful action. We assume that our understanding of the world is accurate, but in reality, we may be missing crucial pieces of information.
Additional Piece: The Illusion of Control
Humans often believe that they have control over their lives and are able to shape their destinies through their actions and decisions. This belief is reinforced by our ability to conceive of a future and plan accordingly. However, the truth is that much of what happens in our lives is beyond our control. We can plan and prepare as much as we want, but there will always be external factors that influence the outcome.
The illusion of control can be dangerous, as it leads us to believe that we are in charge of our lives and that we are solely responsible for our successes and failures. This belief can be empowering in some situations, but it can also lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration when events don’t go according to plan. It’s important to recognize that while we have agency and can take action to shape our lives, we are not in complete control.
One way to cope with the illusion of control is to accept uncertainty and embrace change. Rather than fighting against the natural ebb and flow of life, we can learn to adapt and adjust our expectations. We can also cultivate a sense of gratitude for the moments of joy and contentment that arise, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Summary
Rae Armantrout’s poem “Setup” explores the human ability to conceive of a future and its effect on our perception of time. The poem challenges readers to question their predictions and level of preparedness for what’s to come. The slippery nature of time is highlighted, leading readers to consider what they may have missed or overlooked. Armantrout connects our lack of preparedness to our belief in abstractions, which can blind us to certain realities and limit our ability to take action. In reality, much of what happens in our lives is beyond our control, and it’s important to accept uncertainty and embrace change.
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Rae Armantrout’s “Setup” seems, at first, to be a practical proposition about our species. Our ability to conceive of a future, or at least the vague outline of one, causes other animals to look at us with mild alarm. This capacity also fosters our own confusion, in which we can get dislocated in time. Then the poem becomes slippery. The bets change. What appears to be a proposition now becomes more like a riddle, the solution always just inches out of reach. What, after all, had we not prepared for? And how is it possible that the forecast could close? Selected by Anne Boyer
Preparation
By Rae Armantrout
Animals find us creepy.
We can see what’s coming
roughly-
washed,
frequently displaced.
Still, it hurts us.
Like ghosts we pass from one side to another
between times,
stunned,
unable to feel
what we touch
We believe in abstractions.
*
That’s one way of explaining
our lack of preparation.
anna boyer He is a poet and essayist. His memoir about cancer and care, “The Undying,” won a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Rae Armantrout is a poet whose book “Versed” (Wesleyan, 2010) won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. His most recent book is “Finalists” (Wesleyan, 2022). She is the current judge for the Yale Younger Poets Award.
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