The Door” by Miroslav Holub

The poem “The Door” demonstrates to us that change in self involves taking chances and the positive consequences of change. Holub expresses change as an individual’s commitment to embrace new opportunities presented to them, leading to a new perspective of life. The door, being the central metaphor of the poem, represents a barrier, which holds us back from instigating a change. It is a gateway to new opportunities if the individual decides to take the initiative. The poet uses repetition of the phrase “go and open the door” as the opening line of each stanza to create a emphatic tone that implores the reader to take a chance, to leave their comfort zone and take on the outside world.

The italic word “maybe” shows the uncertainty and unpredictability of the consequences after the person had gone and opened the door. “A tree, or a wood, a garden, or a magic city”, these images open our minds to change and start to make us think to ourselves about what is really out there in this “magic city” of ours. This subtle use of cumulation also demonstrates the varying levels of reward of change, from a lone “tree” to a benign “wood”, from a beautiful “garden” to something grand like a “magic city”. This process continues even to the unpleasant sight of “a dog’s rummaging” in search and curiosity through the fixed gaze of “an eye” to “the picture, of a picture” where one learns more about themselves and gains a new perception, which in essence results in a change in self.

Up until this section of the poem, Holub expresses only the positive aspects of change. In the following stanzas, the poet employs a great deal of symbolism to suggest that there may be initial difficulties that one may encounter. The fog symbolises a problem or uncertainty that a person may have when they open the door, but the poem reassures the reader that “it will clear”. Threatening images of “the darkness ticking” or a “hollow wind” emphasises that what they find may not always be pleasant, but the soothing tone of the stanza calms the reader’s fears and doubts. Once again, the poet uses cumulation: “even if…even if…even if…” bringing the poem into a climax, reaching the apex by the abrupt use of enjambment with the word “nothing” singled out. The poet encourages the reader to “go and open the door”, to take a chance, even if there is no reward and just emptiness beyond it. The poem finishes with a definite, yet almost humourous ending phrase: “at least there’ll be a draught”. The phrase concludes the poet’s optimistic view on change and suggests that even if there is nothing outside the door, something will eventually come up even if it’s just a cool breeze.

This text points out that although we cannot predict what will come about upon the instigation of a change, benefit is found in the process of seeking it. Holub is saying that the essence of change is found with in the individual and only through one’s actions can change be triggered.