Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anthony Hecht's "It Out-Herods Herod. Pray You, Avoid It" navigates the stark contrast between the innocence of children's bedtime stories and the harsh realities of a world where evil often prevails. The poem is a meditation on the complexities of protecting innocence in a world fraught with malevolence.

The poem opens with a scene of the poet's children engrossed in a Western movie, where "the Good casts out the Bad." This setting is reminiscent of classic tales where justice prevails, providing comfort and moral clarity to young minds. The children's stories, where "the warty giant and witch / Get sealed in doorless jails / And the match-girl strikes it rich," reflect a world of clear-cut moral boundaries where good triumphs over evil.

In contrast to this innocent world, the speaker makes "a drink," a symbol of adult coping mechanisms. The poet acknowledges that once the children are asleep, the "giant and witch" are "set / To bust out of the clink," revealing the inevitable return of darker realities once the protective shield of storytelling is lifted. This acknowledgment highlights the persistence of evil, which gains strength and mocks death.

The poet's reflection extends to the biblical figure of Satan, who "bestrides the globe" and "finds out even Job," illustrating the pervasive and relentless nature of malevolence. This imagery evokes a world where evil is powerful and omnipresent, challenging the simplistic moral victories of children's tales.

Despite this, the poet turns to his role as a parent, embodying a hero "Half God, half Santa Claus," who saves the downtrodden and "makes the world behave." This duality reflects the poet's desire to protect and reassure his children, using his "voice and face" to embody hope and justice. The hero figure is a fusion of divine intervention and festive joy, providing a sense of security and ending grief, if only temporarily.

The poem culminates in a poignant reflection on the poet's powerlessness in the face of historical atrocities. The reference to "childermas" invokes the Massacre of the Innocents, linking the poem to themes of sacrifice and the vulnerability of children. The poet's admission that he "could not, at one time, / Have saved them from the gas" acknowledges the horrors of the Holocaust, adding a layer of profound grief and guilt. This stark admission underscores the limitations of parental protection and the haunting presence of historical evil.

Hecht's poem is a powerful exploration of the tension between innocence and evil, the role of storytelling in providing comfort, and the painful awareness of historical atrocities. The poem juxtaposes the simplicity of children's tales with the complex, often grim reality of the adult world, reflecting on the responsibilities and limitations of a parent trying to shield their children from the harshness of life. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Hecht captures the enduring struggle to maintain hope and innocence in a world where darkness frequently encroaches.

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