Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Arthur Rimbaud's "Evil" is a searing critique of the human condition, particularly the irony and tragedy of war and religion. The poem unflinchingly presents scenes of violence and death juxtaposed with the institution of faith, suggesting that there is a God who is indifferent to human suffering, only stirred when "their last small coin into his coffer falls."

The poem opens with the imagery of war: "red-stained mouths / of machine guns ring" in an "infinite expanse of day." Here, the sounds of war fill a day that seems endless, as battalions break and melt away before a "posturing King." The King may symbolize not just political power, but also the other institutions and systems that thrive on human conflict and suffering. The senseless violence makes "of a thousand men a smoking pile," which is sharply contrasted with the natural landscape that was meant to see these men smile. The men are described as "Poor fools!"-a pitiful, scathing term that underscores their expendability in the grander schemes of power.

Rimbaud then introduces a seemingly contradictory figure: a God who exists apart from the human chaos and is preoccupied with the "gleam of gold" and "incense-laden air." This God drowses "in a cloud of murmured prayer," and his slumber represents the complacency and detachment of the divine in the face of human suffering. He only wakes when "weeping mothers bow / Themselves in anguish." Even then, his awakening is linked not to a compassionate response, but to the moment when these mothers, "wrapped in old black shawls," place their "last small coin into his coffer." The black shawls can signify mourning, grief, or possibly even a humble socio-economic status, making the last coin a heartbreaking sacrifice that adds another layer of tragedy.

"Evil" reveals the dichotomy between two parallel worlds: one of human violence and suffering, and another of divine apathy. By juxtaposing these worlds, Rimbaud is likely criticizing institutions that promise solace but often perpetuate suffering. The critique can be understood as aimed not just at religion but also at the societal structures that fail to prevent war and suffering.

The poem underscores the disjunction between religious ideals and the realities of human violence and despair. By contrasting these two spheres, Rimbaud questions the moral foundations upon which societies are built. He forces the reader to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of faith, the existence of a benevolent God, and the inherent contradictions in a world that harbors both unspeakable evil and the pursuit of piety.

Rimbaud's "Evil" captures a bleak panorama of human existence, one fraught with contradictions and hypocrisies. It reflects a disenchanted view of a world where the systems and beliefs that are meant to provide comfort and moral guidance seem instead to be a part of the very cycle of suffering they are supposed to alleviate.

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