Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Christmas Card, After the Assassinations" is a poem written by Mona Van Duyn in response to the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. It was published in 1969.

Explanation:

The poem reflects on the sense of loss and disillusionment that pervaded American society in the aftermath of the assassinations. Van Duyn juxtaposes the traditional symbols of Christmas - the peace, goodwill and harmony - with the harsh reality of the country at the time. The poem begins with a description of a "holly-decked scene," evoking the idyllic images associated with Christmas. However, this image is soon interrupted by the mention of "gun-smoke", which suggests the violence and turmoil that marked the era.

Van Duyn then goes on to describe the assassinations and their aftermath, describing the mourners as "sheepish" and "blind" in their grief. She seems to be critical of the way that the American people have responded to these tragedies, suggesting that they are unwilling or unable to confront the reality of what has happened. The poem ends on a note of uncertainty, with Van Duyn asking "What kind of peace?" and "What can be hoped?" The questions remain unanswered, underscoring the sense of unease that characterizes the poem.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. This form reflects the uncertainty and unease that the poem explores.
• Imagery: Van Duyn uses vivid and contrasting imagery to convey the sense of disillusionment and loss that characterizes the poem. The peaceful, idyllic image of a holly-decked scene is contrasted with the violence and turmoil of the gun-smoke. The mourners are described as "blind," which suggests a lack of clarity or insight.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is critical and questioning, with Van Duyn seeming to challenge the traditional symbols and values associated with Christmas. The poem is also marked by a sense of uncertainty, with the questions at the end of the poem underscoring the sense of unease.

Conclusion:

"A Christmas Card, After the Assassinations" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the sense of loss and disillusionment that marked American society in the aftermath of the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Through its use of vivid imagery and questioning tone, the poem challenges the traditional symbols and values associated with Christmas, suggesting that they are inadequate in the face of the harsh reality of the time. The poem remains a poignant reminder of the turmoil and uncertainty that characterized the late 1960s in the United States.

Poem Snippet:

"In this hollied-decked scene, how heavy

The gun-smoke seems, how wearily

The mourners move, blind, sheepish."

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