Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Randall Jarrell's "Sears Roebuck" is a wry and satirical poem that juxtaposes the mundane details of everyday consumerism with grandiose and apocalyptic imagery. Through the character of John Doe, the poem explores themes of temptation, materialism, and the juxtaposition of the sacred and the profane in modern life.

The poem begins with the narrator, presumably John Doe, reacting to a passing cyclist's wink with indifference: "A passing cyclist winks; well, let her, let her!" This nonchalant response sets the tone for the poem, highlighting a sense of detachment and resignation. The mention of "baked, cream blinds" and "cotton nainsook union suit" points to the ordinary and somewhat outdated items that define John Doe's existence. These items serve as a protective barrier against the perceived evils of the world, represented by the "lambs of Satan."

John Doe's attire, described with specific details like "Elk-tanned, with woodsman's heels and safety toes," signifies his readiness to face the world's challenges. However, there is an underlying irony in his confidence in these material possessions to "sheathe" him through life's metaphorical wilds.

The poem then takes a turn as John Doe's focus shifts to a catalogue: "I write once more for a pronouncing Bible. / But thumbing these leaves, I light upon a plasterer's hawk, / A wilderness of Women's Intimate Apparel." This transition from a religious text to consumer goods illustrates the clash between spiritual aspirations and earthly desires. The "wilderness of Women's Intimate Apparel" symbolizes the overwhelming and distracting nature of material temptations.

As John Doe contemplates the catalogue, he encounters a provocative image: "A girl slides to me in ribbed flannel panties. ..." This moment of temptation causes an intense, visceral reaction: "Ah, gauds of earth! My heart catches in my throat." The exclamation "gauds of earth" underscores the allure and triviality of material possessions.

The poem's tone becomes increasingly dramatic as John Doe warns of impending doom: "Bewarel the rockets poised above the world! / How even my oilskins, in the evil hour, / Blaze up around me! Ah, the fire, the fire!" These lines blend the apocalyptic with the mundane, suggesting that even the practical oilskins cannot protect against the catastrophic forces at play. The repetition of "Ah, the fire, the fire!" evokes a sense of desperation and futility.

In the concluding lines, Jarrell addresses John Doe directly, likening him to both John the Apostle and Don Juan: "-So John Doe, Don Juan-ah, poor Honest John, / Mailing your endless orders west from Patmos!" This comparison highlights the absurdity of John Doe's situation, caught between spiritual quest and earthly desire. The reference to Patmos, the island where John the Apostle received the Revelation, contrasts sharply with the consumerist activities of ordering from a catalogue, underscoring the poem's satirical tone.

"Sears Roebuck" by Randall Jarrell is a poignant and humorous critique of modern consumerism and the eternal human struggle between spiritual aspirations and material temptations. Through vivid imagery and ironic juxtapositions, Jarrell captures the absurdity and complexity of contemporary life, where the sacred and the profane coexist in a constant, often conflicting, dance.

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