Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Story" by Elaine Maria Upton presents the haunting narrative of an African woman, offering a commentary on the brutal impact of colonialism and patriarchal systems on her life. The poem delves into themes of resilience, vulnerability, and the complex interplay between strength and suffering.

The poem begins by setting up an almost mythological atmosphere with the phrase "there is this story," as if to prepare the reader for a tale that is both specific and universal. The woman is introduced as almost superhuman in her capacity to endure hardships, described as "bored with her own near perfection." This phrase creates an ironic twist; her 'perfection' lies not in grand achievements but in her grim ability to bear tremendous burdens.

Upton catalogs a harrowing list of challenges and adversities the woman has weathered. From the "alligators' snaps from sleep" to "babies buried from smallpox," the poem paints a vivid picture of a life lived on the edge of endurance. The items on this list are not merely physical hardships but also emotional and spiritual tribulations-like "drums signaling her gods' displeasure" and "war as the price of chastity."

But it's not just the elements or cosmic displeasure she has to deal with; societal constraints also hem her in. There's "public rite as the price of woman love" and the watchful, judgmental gaze of "the other wives' suspicious eyes," underlining the woman's entrapment within a complex web of cultural, religious, and gendered norms.

The poem takes a gut-wrenching turn when "hirsute strangers" arrive, likely referring to colonizers. This arrival shifts the entire dynamic of the poem, transforming her formidable resilience into a tragic vulnerability. When one of the strangers "slammed her scars with the silvered butt of his gun and took her child," it's a devastating climax to a life of endurance. Her past trials, which she has so resiliently weathered, cannot prepare her for the calamity of this new form of violence.

The structure of the poem adds to its emotional weight. Upton employs a continuous flow of words, using very little punctuation, which allows the poem to unfurl in a manner as relentless as the woman's hardships. This mirrors her constant, exhausting struggle, where one challenge seamlessly flows into the next without respite.

Elaine Maria Upton's "Story" is a poetic narrative filled with searing images and haunting questions about the human capacity for endurance. It's a challenging exploration of how external forces-nature, society, and colonialism-impact one woman's life, and by extension, the lives of those who share her gender, her culture, or her history. It forces the reader to confront the intersection of personal resilience and systemic violence, raising uneasy questions about the limits of human endurance.

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