Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Beyond Harm," Sharon Olds explores the complex and often contradictory emotions tied to the death of her father, unraveling a poignant meditation on the finality of death and the strange, paradoxical comfort it can bring. The poem delves into the retrospective realization of the speaker, who, in the wake of her father's passing, finds a newfound security in the idea that her father's affection is now beyond the reach of time, change, or disapproval.

The opening lines set a tone of sudden clarity as the speaker reflects on a week following her father's death. She expresses an understanding that her father's fondness for her is now "safe," immune from any future disappointments or judgments. This realization stems from memories of their relationship, highlighted by moments of unspoken affection and respect. The speaker recounts how her father’s face sometimes brightened upon her entrance, and how, even in a half-conscious state, he smiled at the mention of her name. These instances, though perhaps minor, are cherished as proofs of his affection, now permanently untouchable.

Olds employs a conversational and straightforward style, weaving in anecdotal evidence of her father's respect and affection. The reference to being tied to a chair as a child and her father's silent approval of her "spunk" indicates a complicated dynamic. The father's respect, though subdued and unspoken, is a recognition that the speaker held a distinct and respected place in his life. The recollection of a slip of the tongue where her father responds to her greeting with "I love you too" captures a rare, vulnerable moment of explicit emotional expression. This accidental declaration becomes a crucial anchor for the speaker, a word "to lose" or hold onto amidst the sea of uncertainties that defined their relationship.

The poem reaches a turning point as the speaker confronts the reality of her father's death. The repetition of "dead, dead!" emphasizes the finality and the profound impact of this realization. It marks a shift from the anxieties of seeking approval and fearing disapproval to a bizarre sense of relief. The father’s critical gaze and potential for expressing "old mouths of disgust" are no longer threats. The speaker is free from the possibility of future harm, as her father is no longer capable of altering her perception of herself or skewing her life with his judgments.

This freedom is unexpectedly liberating. Olds captures the ambivalence of grief—the sorrow of loss intertwined with the relief from the constant pressure of living up to parental expectations. The poem's tone oscillates between somber reflection and a strange, almost guilty amusement at the irrevocable end of a complex relationship. The speaker's laughter, born from the recognition that her father's love is now immutable, suggests a release from a lifetime of navigating his approval.

"Beyond Harm" masterfully captures the intricate layers of a father-daughter relationship, shaped by unspoken love, respect, and the ever-present fear of disapproval. Through this introspective narrative, Olds explores the paradoxical nature of death as both an end and a preservation of love. The poem leaves the reader with a haunting sense of the permanence that death bestows upon emotions, encapsulating the security found in knowing that some things, once past the threshold of mortality, remain untouched and unchangeable. In this way, Olds offers a poignant commentary on the complexities of familial bonds and the curious solace that can sometimes be found in the finality of loss.

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