Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "The Bathers", Irving Feldman explores themes of sensuality, innocence, societal norms, and the mythological interplay between good and evil, using vivid imagery and symbolic references. The poem presents a scene that reflects both the timeless allure and fragility of femininity, framed within the mythic context of the serpent and Eve.

The poem begins with a question that echoes the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden: "Can there be women alone and no serpent near?" This question immediately sets up the atmosphere of a world where desire and innocence coexist. The serpent, representing temptation and danger, is “a student of opportunities” who “licks the air.” Feldman imagines the serpent observing a group of women in swimsuits, referring to them as “waves of their hair waves of the sea,” suggesting fluidity and interconnectedness among them.

Feldman continues by describing the serpent’s curiosity about these women, who are "strangers, with sharp little teeth and little pink tongues.” They are busy adjusting their appearances—"fiddling with their hair, making it behave." The uniformity in their appearance, all "combed alike, all made up alike, all dressed in the uniform of loveliness," hints at societal pressures that demand conformity.

Through the conversation between these women, Feldman brings in the trivialities and tastes that form their social identities: " 'I love cerise!' 'I can't stand chartreuse!' 'Me, I'm just crazy about egg-clairs!' " This chatter serves to distinguish the women as individuals despite their outward uniformity. Feldman writes, “precious tastes by which they mean to say that not all raindrops are the same,” suggesting that despite their similarities, each woman strives to assert her uniqueness.

Feldman then shifts to the serpent’s viewpoint, portraying his intent to charm and tame the women. He imagines them teaching the serpent “this is how you treat a girl,” thereby seeking to "civilize the creature" while using him for their desires. The poem hints at a relationship of manipulation and dependency, where the serpent may believe himself to be the women's pet but remains a predator. The serpent is compelled to “hold still to have his toenails painted,” and even begs to become “her own, her private particular sun.”

The serpent’s role as tempter and manipulator is underscored by the women’s susceptibility to his influence, revealing the inherent vulnerability of their desire for admiration and control. Feldman writes, “so great her neediness is, so great must be his services—his servitude for her distress.” The relationship between the serpent and the women is symbiotic, marked by both manipulation and mutual dependency.

The poem then delves into the psychological aspects of the women’s longing for acceptance, as Feldman describes one who must have her way “since she has nothing else.” Here, the poem touches on the emptiness and fragility that often accompany social conformity. The women’s stories are “fib fibs fibs,” suggesting that they perpetuate societal myths rather than live authentically. They are left “discarded afterward, if not devoured during,” reduced to mere servants to “everyone's hunger.”

Feldman uses powerful imagery to convey the existential struggle of women caught between societal expectations and their desire for agency: “If she doesn’t, the little pitcher of her lap pours nothing out.” The metaphor of the “pitcher” suggests the potential for creation and fulfillment, which remains unrealized if she does not take control of her destiny.

The poem culminates in a powerful declaration: “I have been bloody and I will be a bellyache to the wave that takes me!” The woman defiantly claims her own story, asserting her identity against the forces that seek to diminish her. However, this assertion is tempered by the realities of loss and betrayal, as Feldman notes, “And later, no laying out the dead, no lamentation, submission, surviving.”

In the final stanza, the serpent recedes as the women pack up and leave. They become “dull silhouettes lumped out with comforting bundles, bulk and clutter of being.” Despite their confident facade, they remain bound by societal expectations, “required, requested, rich in society, in obligations.”

The serpent, now alone, remains vigilant: “A serpent alone and no women near?” He watches as a new group of women approaches, setting the cycle in motion once more. The poem ends with the hopeful yet ominous question, “ 'But who are these, lightly daring forward, who approach, who appear?' ”

Overall, "The Bathers" is a richly layered poem that weaves together mythological imagery, social commentary, and psychological insights. Feldman captures the delicate balance between vulnerability and agency in the portrayal of the women, while the serpent serves as both tempter and observer. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of desire, identity, and the social constructions that shape our lives.

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