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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

BOARDMAN AND COFFIN, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"Boardman and Coffin" by Conrad Aiken is a dramatic monologue, a literary form where a single character, who is not the poet, speaks the entire poem about a critical moment in their life. This form allows for a deep exploration of the character's psyche, giving readers insight into their thoughts and emotions.

The poem opens with a startling confession of murder. The speaker, presumably a woman, admits to killing a man after warning him against touching her. This introduction sets a tone of desperation and defiance, engaging the reader immediately with its intensity.

The language Aiken uses is visceral and vivid, drawing the reader into the speaker's traumatic experience. The repetition of "I told him straight, if he touched me, just once more,--" underscores her desperation and determination. It also serves to justify her actions in her own eyes, suggesting a narrative of self-defense against repeated violations.

Aiken's portrayal of the man's eyes as "like wheels of fire" and "like a vampire's" intensifies the horror and fear the speaker feels. This metaphorical language transforms the man into a monstrous figure, almost supernatural in his threat. The imagery of fire and vampirism also suggests a consuming, destructive force against which the speaker feels she must defend herself.

The speaker's description of her physical response to the man's advances – the feeling of being pulled, pressed, and laughed at – conveys a profound violation of her body and autonomy. The physicality in Aiken's language makes the reader feel the claustrophobic, overpowering nature of her experience.

Interestingly, the poem shifts from a narrative of victimhood to one of agency with the act of murder. The speaker's decision to kill is portrayed as an act of empowerment, a final stand against her oppressor. This shift is crucial in understanding the psychological complexity of the speaker – she is both a victim of abuse and an agent of violent retribution.

The final stanza delves into the surreal, with the speaker describing her perception of the murder as stopping the "fire-wheel eyes" and the subsequent suicide attempt. The references to grand opera and the "great bells" suggest a dramatic, almost theatrical understanding of her actions. It's a powerful portrayal of a mind pushed to the brink, where reality blurs with metaphor and fantasy.

In conclusion, "Boardman and Coffin" is a poignant exploration of trauma, power, and agency. Aiken uses vivid imagery, repetition, and a blend of realism and surrealism to delve deep into the psyche of his protagonist. The poem confronts themes of abuse, empowerment, and the psychological aftermath of trauma, leaving the reader with a lasting impression of the speaker's turbulent inner world.


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