Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mary Oliver’s poem "The Black Walnut Tree" delves into themes of heritage, responsibility, and the tension between financial pragmatism and the intrinsic value of nature. Through the narrative of a mother and daughter contemplating the sale of a tree to alleviate their financial burdens, Oliver explores the deeper emotional and cultural connections that bind us to our environment.

The poem begins with the practical consideration: "My mother and I debate: / we could sell / the black walnut tree / to the lumberman, / and pay off the mortgage." This opening sets the scene of a serious discussion about a potential solution to a financial problem. The black walnut tree represents a tangible asset that could provide immediate relief, symbolizing a lifeline in difficult times.

However, the practical decision is complicated by the recognition of the tree's potential future threat: "Likely some storm anyway / will churn down its dark boughs, / smashing the house." This acknowledgment of the tree's possible danger adds another layer to their dilemma, mixing practicality with a premonition of inevitable loss.

The dialogue between the mother and daughter is filled with practical concerns: "Roots in the cellar drains, / I say, and she replies / that the leaves are getting heavier / every year, and the fruit / harder to gather away." These lines highlight the physical and maintenance challenges posed by the tree, reinforcing the idea that its removal might be a sensible choice.

Yet, amid these pragmatic considerations, there is a deeper, almost instinctual resistance: "But something brighter than money / moves in our blood–an edge / sharp and quick as a trowel / that wants us to dig and sow." This metaphor of a trowel suggests a connection to the land that goes beyond financial gain, an urge to cultivate and preserve rather than destroy and profit.

This internal conflict leads to inaction: "So we talk, but we don't do / anything." The indecision reflects the weight of the symbolic value of the tree, which is further explored in the dream sequence: "That night I dream / of my fathers out of Bohemia / filling the blue fields / of fresh and generous Ohio / with leaves and vines and orchards." The dream evokes the family’s immigrant past and their labor to create a life in a new land, filling it with nature’s bounty. This ancestral connection to the land and its cultivation ties the family’s identity to the tree.

The realization shared by mother and daughter is profound: "What my mother and I both know / is that we'd crawl with shame / in the emptiness we'd made / in our own and our fathers' backyard." The prospect of selling the tree is equated with a betrayal of their heritage and the values passed down by their forebears. The shame they anticipate feeling is tied to the destruction of something precious and irreplaceable.

The poem concludes with a resolution of sorts: "So the black walnut tree / swings through another year / of sun and leaping winds, / of leaves and bounding fruit, / and, month after month, the whip- / crack of the mortgage." This ending acknowledges the ongoing financial struggle, yet it affirms the decision to keep the tree. The tree’s continued presence is a testament to the enduring values of heritage, connection to the land, and the importance of preserving what is intrinsically valuable.

Structurally, the poem’s free verse allows for a natural, conversational flow, mirroring the real and thoughtful dialogue between mother and daughter. The imagery is vivid and grounded in the natural world, evoking the physicality of the tree and the land, as well as the emotional and cultural weight they carry.

In conclusion, "The Black Walnut Tree" by Mary Oliver is a poignant exploration of the conflicts between financial necessity and the deeper values that connect us to our heritage and environment. Through the narrative of a mother and daughter’s debate, Oliver illuminates the profound ties to nature and the past that shape our decisions and our sense of identity. The poem ultimately celebrates the wisdom of honoring these connections, even in the face of practical difficulties, highlighting the enduring importance of heritage and the natural world in our lives.

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