The Illiterate

There are moments in life when one is both eager and anxious, knowing full well that the next choice one makes will alter everything that comes after. As much as readers might like to, there are times when readers can’t predict the consequences of their own or others’ actions and must therefore make a leap of faith. “The Illiterate” is a rendering of one of those moments. In the poem, the speaker must decide what to do after “touching […] goodness” (Line 1). The speaker must decide whether to continue exploring the relationship or leave that option unexplored, remaining forever unaware.

Transitional stages are often difficult. They are usually necessary for growth or achievement but can often engender fear and trepidation. One may wonder if going forward will lead to success or doom. In the poem, this uncertainty is made clear by the fact that the speaker feels there is a potential for greater intimacy with the addressee, a fact that has surprised them. This unexpected possibility causes the speaker to be placed into a liminal position, standing on the threshold between what they know to be true and what they don’t know. That this is a new experience is clarified by the speaker’s analogy to the man and his letter.