Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field's poem "The Farewell" is a poignant and ironic reflection on trust, fate, and the absurdity of human confidence. Through vivid imagery and a sharp yet melancholic tone, Field explores the consequences of blind faith in others and the inevitability of facing the unexpected.

The poem begins with the speaker recounting the assurances of others: "They say the ice will hold / so there I go, / forced to believe them by my act of trusting people." Despite his reservations, the speaker steps out onto the ice, acting on the belief that it is solid.

However, the ice breaks open, and the speaker falls into the water: "and naturally it gaps open / and I, forced to carry on coolly / by my act of being imperturbable, / slide erectly into the water." The use of "naturally" suggests a sense of inevitability in the speaker's fate, as though falling through the ice is a foreseeable outcome.

Despite the sudden and dangerous situation, the speaker maintains his composure, "coolly" continuing to wear his "captain's helmet" while waving to the shore with a "sad smile." The captain's helmet symbolizes leadership and authority, yet the speaker's fate is entirely out of his control.

The farewell wave and the words "Goodbye my darlings, goodbye dear one" reflect a mixture of irony and tragic humor, as the speaker bids farewell to loved ones while maintaining an air of grace and calm. The poem ends with a chilling image: "as the ice meets again over my head with a click." This final "click" is both a literal and symbolic closing of the ice above the speaker, signifying the end of his journey and the finality of his fate.

Themes and Interpretation:

1. Trust and Betrayal: The poem explores the consequences of blind trust in others. The speaker's decision to step onto the ice is driven by his belief in the assurances of others, leading to his ultimate downfall.

2. Composure and Irony: Despite falling through the ice, the speaker maintains an appearance of composure and imperturbability. This ironic response to a life-threatening situation highlights the absurdity of maintaining appearances in the face of disaster.

3. Fate and Inevitability: The use of "naturally" and the image of the ice closing over the speaker emphasize the inevitability of his fate. The poem suggests that some outcomes are unavoidable, regardless of one's confidence or preparation.

4. Absurdity of Human Confidence: The poem satirizes the human tendency to believe in our own invincibility. The speaker's "captain's helmet" and farewell wave embody the false confidence that can lead to one's undoing.

Structure and Tone:

The poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to use a conversational yet sardonic tone. The language is straightforward but imbued with irony, emphasizing the tragicomic nature of the speaker's predicament.

Conclusion:

"The Farewell" by Edward Field is a sharp and ironic reflection on trust, fate, and the absurdity of human confidence. Through vivid imagery and a melancholic tone, Field captures the tragicomic experience of maintaining composure in the face of disaster. The poem invites readers to consider the complexities of trust and the inevitability of facing the unexpected, even when assured of safety.

POEM TEXT: https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-018/the-farewell/

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