Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Eastern God" by Dora Sigerson Shorter is a poem that explores themes of cultural differences, reverence, personal connection, and intimacy.

The poem introduces us to an image of an Eastern deity, standing abandoned in a Western setting. The speaker encounters this statue alongside companions, but while they laugh, the speaker finds a connection with it and whispers a personal plea.

Theme Analysis

The themes of cultural understanding, reverence, and personal connection run through the poem. The statue, an embodiment of Eastern religion, is placed in a context where it is mocked and ununderstood, symbolizing how Eastern practices and beliefs may be treated in a Western context. Simultaneously, the speaker's personal connection to the statue symbolizes an understanding that transcends cultural boundaries.

Provenance

Dora Sigerson Shorter was an Irish poet who often wrote about love, loss, and longing. This particular poem could be seen as a commentary on the misunderstanding between different cultures, and the power of faith and love.

Context

Considering the time of Sigerson Shorter's writing, the poem might be reflecting the fascination and misunderstanding that often surrounded Eastern cultures in Western literature and art.

Content

The speaker initially mocks the Eastern God, commenting on its many hands and smiling face. However, there is a sudden shift as the speaker begins to speak directly to the statue, asking it to protect a loved one. This shift from mockery to reverence is sudden and unexpected, reflecting the complex emotions and perceptions at play.

Poetic Devices

Imagery: The description of the God, with "many hands" and a "marble face," is vivid and serves to create a visual picture that engages the reader.

Irony: The irony of the speaker's shift from mockery to reverence highlights the complexity of human emotions and beliefs.

Rhyme: The rhyme scheme of AABB contributes to the rhythm of the poem, creating a fluidity that mirrors the shift in the speaker's perspective.

Structure

The poem consists of five quatrains, each with a simple and direct rhyme scheme. This straightforward structure contrasts with the complex emotions explored in the poem, adding to the poem's depth.

Conclusion

"An Eastern God" by Dora Sigerson Shorter is a nuanced exploration of cultural understanding, faith, and personal connection. While it begins with a scene of misunderstanding and mockery, it shifts into a heartfelt plea, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human belief and emotion. The structure and poetic devices serve to enhance these themes, making it a rich and thought-provoking poem.

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