Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson's poem "The Marriage of Pocahontas" is a rich and complex narrative that weaves together historical accounts, mythology, and personal reflection to explore themes of colonialism, cultural encounter, and the blending of history with myth. The poem is structured around episodes taken from John Smith's *Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles*, but Simpson imbues these episodes with a modern sensibility, questioning the veracity of historical narratives and the motivations behind them.

The poem opens with a tone of skepticism, as Simpson directly addresses the reader: "How far he tells the truth, / Seeing that he was baiting hooks / To catch investors, / I leave to the reader's judgment." This introduction sets the stage for a reading of history that is not straightforward, but instead one that is layered with the complexities of personal and political agendas. Simpson hints at the idea that history, as told by figures like John Smith, is often embellished or manipulated to serve specific purposes, in this case, to attract investment and support for colonial ventures.

The first section, "Pocahontas Saves His Life," recounts the famous story of Pocahontas saving John Smith from execution by her father, Powhatan. The scene is depicted with vivid imagery, as Simpson describes the "two hundred of those grim courtiers" and Powhatan "covered with a robe / Of rarowcun skins, and all the tails hanging by." The ritualistic nature of the scene, with the "great stones" and the preparation for Smith's execution, underscores the gravity of the moment. However, the intervention of Pocahontas introduces a dramatic twist, one that has been romanticized and mythologized over centuries. Simpson presents this story with a degree of ambivalence, acknowledging its legendary status while also suggesting that it may be more myth than fact.

The second section, "Savage Entertainment," describes an encounter between the English and the indigenous people, where thirty young women perform a ritualistic dance. The description of the women as "naked out of the woods, / Covered only before and behind / With a few green leaves," and their "hellish sounds and cries," reflects the Englishmen's perception of the native customs as both exotic and threatening. The portrayal of these women as "fiends" and the ritual as "infernal passions" reveals the deep cultural divide and the fear that underlies the colonial encounter. The section also touches on the theme of seduction and manipulation, as the women, through their dance and later behavior, both entice and torment the Englishmen, leading to an uneasy tension between fascination and revulsion.

In "A Dialogue of Peace and War," Powhatan speaks with Captain Smith, expressing his concerns about the true intentions of the English. Powhatan's speech is pragmatic and reflects his understanding of the precariousness of his position: "What will it avail you to take by force / What you may quickly have by love?" This dialogue underscores the strategic considerations of both parties, where trust is fragile and the potential for violence looms large. The section also highlights the disparity between the English and the indigenous peoples in terms of power and resources, with Powhatan attempting to negotiate from a position of vulnerability.

"Pocahontas Reveals a Plot" continues the theme of betrayal and deceit, as Pocahontas warns Smith of an impending attack. The scene is filled with tension, as Pocahontas, despite her loyalty to her father, risks her life to save Smith and the Englishmen. The emotional weight of this section is conveyed through the image of Pocahontas with "tears running down her cheeks," torn between her love for her people and her attachment to Smith. This section deepens the complexity of Pocahontas as a figure caught between two worlds, each demanding her loyalty.

The section titled "She Is Betrayed and Captured" recounts the capture of Pocahontas by Captain Argall, who uses her as a bargaining chip to negotiate peace with Powhatan. The betrayal of Pocahontas by Japazaws and his wife, who are motivated by the promise of a copper kettle, highlights the tragic nature of her situation. Despite the kindness shown to her by the English, Pocahontas is ultimately a pawn in the colonial struggle, her fate determined by the machinations of those around her.

The penultimate section, "Her Wedding," describes Pocahontas's marriage to John Rolfe, a union that is presented as a diplomatic and cultural exchange. The marriage is depicted as a moment of temporary peace and mutual benefit, with Pocahontas converting to Christianity and adopting English customs. However, the underlying tensions remain, as the "strange apparitions and violent passions" experienced by Rolfe suggest that the cultural and emotional complexities of this union cannot be easily resolved.

"Powhatan Laughs" provides a brief moment of levity, as Powhatan responds with laughter to the news that his daughter is content with her new life among the English. This reaction, however, is ambiguous—Powhatan's laughter could be interpreted as acceptance, resignation, or even mockery of the absurdity of the situation.

The final section, "A Dream in the Woods of Virginia," shifts to a more introspective and symbolic mode, where the speaker reflects on the transformation of Pocahontas from a native woman to a figure assimilated into English culture. The dream-like quality of this section, with its imagery of a "Lady with horns, / And bow and arrows, and an otter skin," evokes the tension between the natural world and the imposition of European norms and values. The transformation is depicted as both inevitable and tragic, with Pocahontas losing her "naked ways" and being urged to "Marry perhaps an English gentleman."

The poem concludes with a meditation on the broader implications of colonialism and the reduction of the natural world to human terms. The reference to a stomach that can "digest / Rubber, coal, uranium, moons, poems" suggests the voraciousness of colonial expansion, consuming everything in its path. The final lines, with the image of the shark containing a shoe, evoke the absurdity and destructiveness of this process, where the richness and mystery of the world are reduced to mere objects and commodities.

"The Marriage of Pocahontas" by Louis Simpson is a powerful exploration of the intersections between history, myth, and personal experience. Through its intricate narrative structure and rich imagery, the poem offers a nuanced reflection on the complexities of cultural encounter, the manipulation of historical narratives, and the enduring impact of colonialism on both individuals and societies. Simpson's poem invites readers to question the stories we inherit and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the past and the present.

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