Interpretation of “Not of This World”

(Click here for text of Hostetler's poem.)

In this poem Hostetler compares her Mennonite lifestyle to a worldly lifestyle. The title of the poem and its underlying tone remind me of a reoccuring theme in the New Testament of the Bible, reminding followers that they are not to be of the world. Followers of Jesus are urged not to conform to the “worldly” lifestyle in Romans 12:2. In this poem, the speaker is addressing the “world.”

The speaker contrasts herself and the “world” by using images to display generalizations about each. The world is all “Wonder Bread and drive-ins” (line 3), two symbols of industrialization and modern efficiency versus traditions in quality. She describes herself with images of “fertile fields, head coverings, memories of martyrdom like yesterday…” (lines 3-5). She implies that she has a rich culture with history and her life is still closely connected with that rich past. 

Hostetler also shows the deep contrast between the two cultures. We see, in her poem, two different worlds. In lines 13 and 14 she states, “All around us pins drop, and, still, we are still.” I see this as a metaphor of the chaotic world around them failing, while they--the Mennonites--are still, and they continue their work, as they have since their beginning. She also proves that her people's way of life is rich by stating that Nature loves what they have (line 15). They are blessed; their barns are overflowing with an abundance of treasures that we, the “world,” wouldn’t consider valuable.

She wraps it up by noting that we, “the world," and she are woven closely together. We live side by side, and we know each other. We aren’t strangers to each other, but we are different. While we have our typical picture of heaven, and assume we’ll go there when we die, she has her own place she is going (lines 25-26). This place is her picture of heaven, which is seemingly far better than the mainstream idea of heaven, by her standards. It seems as though her religion has become far better in the view she’s taken.

As a follower of Christ, I can relate to this very well. I am not of this world, and I have a history unlike those who have become of this world. I have a different plan in store for me when I die. As a non-Mennonite, though, I was slightly confused. I didn’t know if I should be upset or inspired by this poem. My world, my life, is more than “Wonder Bread and drive-ins.” This opinion of the “world” may not really be Hostetler's opinion, but it is quite unsettling that this may be the perspective some Mennonites take.

This poem is moving, and at times, unsettling. I bring into this poem much of my own feeling, and my own thoughts about the Mennonite lifestyle. While I can’t say I like the feeling I get from reading this poem, it evokes quite a wealth of emotions. This poem is, at least from my perspective, universally relevant.