Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Affirmation: 3. The Killer and the Dove" is a poem by Peter Viereck, first published in his poetry collection "Tide and Continuities" in 1942. The poem reflects on the duality of human nature and the contrast between violence and compassion.

Explanation:

The poem begins with a description of a violent scene: "A killer with a heart of stone, / His fingers itch for trigger-play". The killer is contrasted with a dove, a symbol of peace and gentleness. The dove is described as "tranquil", "subtle", and "pure". The speaker acknowledges the contradiction between these two opposing forces: "So killer and so dove, alas! / Within one body how they thrive".

The second stanza delves deeper into the nature of the killer, describing his "veiled delight" in destruction and his lack of empathy for his victims. The speaker then turns to the dove, describing its "still small voice" and its power to calm the killer's violent impulses. The final stanza of the poem expresses the speaker's hope for humanity, that we can learn to temper our violent instincts and embrace compassion: "Yet hope survives, the dove prevails, / And love in some soft form survives".

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid images to contrast the killer and the dove. The killer is described as having a "heart of stone", while the dove is "pure". The killer is associated with violence and destruction, while the dove is associated with peace and gentleness.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and reflective, as the speaker considers the contrast between violence and compassion.

Conclusion:

In "Affirmation: 3. The Killer and the Dove", Peter Viereck presents a powerful contrast between violence and compassion, personified by the killer and the dove. The poem suggests that despite the violent tendencies of humanity, there is still hope for us to embrace love and compassion.

Poet Snippet:

"Man, both saint and self-destroyer,

Finds, if he seeks, both ill and joy.

He can kill like the cock in the morning,

Or soar like the dove he can never destroy."