Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Kevin Young's "Saint Joe Louis: Surrounded by Snakes" vividly dramatizes the boxing match between Joe Louis, an African American heavyweight champion, and Max Schmeling, a German boxer. The poem encapsulates the cultural, racial, and geopolitical significance of the match, highlighting how it was much more than just a sports event. Young accomplishes this through unconventional structure, the potent use of language, and thematic focus.

The poem's structure is striking, almost mimicking the sounds and moves in a boxing match with phrases like "BIP! SPLAT! BOP!" interspersed. The jagged, staccato lines reflect not just the physical action but also the underlying tension of a fight fraught with racial and international implications. Words and phrases are presented in all caps, emphasizing the high stakes and the intensity of public interest.

The references to "EAST. The Harlem" and "HVYWT CHAMP WORLD" set the geographical and universal stage for the contest. By 1936, Joe Louis was not just Harlem's champion; he was a figure who carried the hopes and aspirations of black America. Young captures the overwhelming pressure on Louis in the phrase "All or nothing," signifying that Louis fought not just Schmeling but also the oppressive racial attitudes of the time.

Schmeling is identified with phrases like "Hindenberged home, a hero. Uber-mensch." The reference to the Hindenburg, a German airship that met a disastrous end, serves as foreshadowing, while "Ubermensch," meaning 'superman' in German, positions Schmeling as a hero for Nazi Germany. Given the political climate and the impending World War, Schmeling's defeat would signify more than just a loss in a boxing ring.

The poem also makes use of potent symbols. The "flags / of Harlem USA / raised / like fists" signify unity and resistance, capturing a moment of collective triumph for black America. The image of "Trainers round / his neck like towels / halo" likens Joe Louis to a saint, canonized for his triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds. His "cauliflower ear" hisses, bearing the marks of battle but also the resilience of the human spirit.

Young's decision to use terms like "1,000,000 YEN" and "Y* BLSTD SW*B" (presumably a censored racial slur) struck through implies the defeat not just of a man but of the hate, racism, and nationalism he was made to represent. In the end, Joe Louis gains the "CROWN," both as the heavyweight champion and as a representative figure of hope, resilience, and equality.

Thus, Young's poem transcends the literal events it describes to provide a poignant commentary on race, geopolitics, and human triumph. Through its stylistic choices and thematic depth, "Saint Joe Louis: Surrounded by Snakes" becomes more than a recounting of a historic sporting event; it serves as a lens through which to view the broader societal implications of Joe Louis's victory.

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