Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Soldier" by David Ferry is a contemplative and intimate portrait of a moment of solitude in a barracks, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and human connection. The setting is a nearly empty military barracks on a Saturday afternoon, where the speaker and only one other soldier remain. The poem delves into the inner lives of its characters, capturing a poignant sense of aloneness and introspection amid the routine of military life.

The poem begins by setting the scene: "Saturday afternoon. The barracks is almost empty. / The soldiers are almost all on overnight pass." This introduction immediately establishes a tone of emptiness and quiet, providing a backdrop for the introspective moments that follow. The speaker is engaged in writing a letter, a personal act that underscores his separation from the person he loves and from the activities typical of his peers.

The mention of the spider, "that hangs by the thread of his guts, / His tenacious and delicate guts," introduces a metaphor for resilience and the fragile yet persistent connection to life. The reference to "Swift’s spider" alludes to Jonathan Swift, perhaps invoking the satirist's cynicism and introspection. The spider, in its solitude and focus on survival, mirrors the soldiers' own situations—suspended in their roles, somewhat detached from the wider world, yet holding on.

The imagery of the spider continues with "In his little sea the spider lowers himself / Out of his depth. He is his own diving bell," further exploring the theme of isolation and self-reliance. The spider, like the soldiers, navigates an environment that is vast and, in some ways, unknowable. The description of the spider's unseeing and instinctual existence parallels the soldiers' perhaps unexamined lives, driven by duty and routine rather than personal insight.

As the speaker reflects on his love and the difficulty of imagining her while he is in such an alienating environment, the poem shifts to the other soldier in the room. This soldier's actions—polishing his boots, sitting on the edge of his bunk—reflect a ritual of self-care and preparation. His intense focus on his task, described as "Private, submissive, and heedful of himself," suggests a coping mechanism, a way to maintain some control and perhaps comfort in a life dictated by external demands.

The other soldier becomes "his mother, and nest, wife, brother, and father" as he tends to himself, embodying the roles of care and kinship he is separated from. The boots, shining brightly enough to serve as a mirror, symbolize his search for identity and self-understanding, reflecting how he sees himself within the military's rigid structure.

Ultimately, "The Soldier" by David Ferry is a powerful meditation on solitude, identity, and emotional survival in a setting that emphasizes conformity and uniformity. Through the mundane yet deeply symbolic act of writing a letter and polishing boots, the poem captures the profound inner lives of individuals stationed far from the familiar, each in their own way navigating the depths of their personal "seas."

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