Billy Collins "The Names": Summary

Billy Collins' poem "The Names" is a powerful and deeply moving piece that reflects on the tragedy of the September 11th attacks in the United States. In this essay, I will provide a summary of the poem and analyze its key themes and literary devices, as well as discuss the emotional impact it has on the reader.

The poem begins with the speaker imagining the moments before the attacks, as the hijackers go about their daily routines, and the victims unknowingly go about theirs. The speaker then shifts to the aftermath of the attacks, describing the chaos and confusion that ensued. He notes how the names of the victims were all that remained, and how they were read out loud at memorial services, becoming a way to honor and remember those who lost their lives.

Throughout the poem, Collins reflects on the power of names and the significance of remembering the individuals who perished in the attacks. He presents a list of names, each one representing a person who died on that tragic day. The speaker emphasizes the diversity of the victims, highlighting the wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and professions that were represented among those who lost their lives. This serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the attacks and the profound impact they had on individuals from all walks of life.

The poem also explores the idea of memory and the ways in which we remember and honor those who are no longer with us. Through the act of reading out the names of the victims, the speaker suggests that their memories are kept alive and that they continue to have a presence in the world, even after their passing. This idea is encapsulated in the line, "So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart." Here, Collins conveys the overwhelming nature of grief and the difficulty of coming to terms with the sheer number of lives lost.

The poem is filled with rich and evocative imagery, from the "soft vowels" of the victims' names to the "empty desks of the children who have grown up and gone away." These images serve to bring the events of September 11th to life and to evoke a sense of empathy and sorrow in the reader. Collins also uses repetition to powerful effect, with the repeated phrase "the names of the dead" serving as a constant refrain throughout the poem, driving home the significance of these individuals and the weight of their loss.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Names" is its emotional impact. Collins' use of language and imagery creates a deeply moving and poignant portrayal of the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The poem invites the reader to reflect on the human cost of the tragedy and to consider the individual lives that were lost, rather than simply viewing the event as a statistic. By focusing on the names of the victims, Collins emphasizes the personal nature of the loss and encourages us to remember and honor those who perished.

In conclusion, "The Names" is a haunting and powerful poem that captures the tragedy of the September 11th attacks in a deeply moving and evocative manner. Through its exploration of memory, diversity, and the significance of individual lives, the poem invites the reader to reflect on the human cost of the attacks and to consider the lasting impact they had on countless individuals. Collins' skillful use of language and imagery creates a work that is both emotionally resonant and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.