Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Randall Jarrell's "Night Before the Night Before Christmas" (1934) is a deeply evocative and layered poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time through the lens of a young girl's experience. The poem masterfully weaves together elements of the mundane and the profound, creating a narrative that is both intimate and universal.

The setting is the Arden Apartments, where the girl lives with her father, her aunt, and her brother. The opening lines immediately set a tone of melancholy and nostalgia, as the girl dreams of her deceased mother, who "looks more like her sister than her mother." This blurring of identities and the past highlights the girl's longing for the presence of her mother, a presence that lingers in her memories and dreams.

The poem shifts to a vivid winter scene, with the brother looking out over the snow and calling to his sister. The detailed description of the girl's interaction with her brother—waving and making an "O" with her mouth—captures a moment of simple, yet profound connection. The imagery of snow and the setting sun provides a backdrop of quiet beauty and tranquility, contrasting with the underlying themes of loss and longing.

As the girl climbs the stairs, she observes the transformation of the landscape: "the snow / Stopped falling, she saw from the landing / Past the big old houses, the small new houses, / And the wood's scrambled boughs / The sun in the hills." This moment of observation reflects her awareness of the changing world around her and the permanence of her own inner world, marked by the absence of her mother.

The interaction between the girl and her brother is poignant and tender. The brother's innocent question, "Mother, what is snow?" and her poetic response, "It is the cotton-wool, my Son, / That is falling from the ears of God," highlight the girl's imaginative and nurturing nature. This exchange underscores the bond between the siblings, a bond that provides comfort in their shared sense of loss.

The poem also delves into the girl's intellectual and emotional world. Her reading habits, including both serious and whimsical texts, reflect her search for meaning and escape. The contrast between her reading of "The Iron Heel" and "Stalky" showcases her grappling with the harsh realities of life and her longing for the innocence and simplicity of childhood.

As the girl prepares for Christmas, the act of wrapping presents becomes a symbolic gesture of care and connection. The meticulous description of wrapping gifts for her family members reveals her desire to give something meaningful, despite her feelings of inadequacy and frustration. Her thoughts about her father's mottos, like "Do It Now" and "To Travel Hopefully / Is A Better Thing Than To Arrive," reveal her awareness of the limitations of such platitudes in the face of real loss and suffering.

The poem's climax comes as the girl reflects on the death of her pet squirrel, a loss that symbolizes her broader sense of helplessness and grief. The vivid imagery of the squirrel's death and her subsequent rationalizations underscore the depth of her sorrow and her struggle to make sense of the world.

In the final stanzas, the poem takes on a dreamlike quality as the girl drifts between wakefulness and sleep. Her thoughts intertwine with the cosmic and the mundane, reflecting on the vastness of the universe and the smallness of human life. The recurring theme of "Home, home" echoes throughout, signifying a longing for a place of safety and belonging.

The poem concludes with the girl holding her brother's hand, both of them sharing a moment of profound connection and vulnerability. Her tears and the whispered words, "When I was alive," capture the essence of the poem's exploration of life, death, and the enduring power of memory and love.

"Night Before the Night Before Christmas" is a beautifully crafted meditation on the complexities of grief, memory, and the search for meaning in the face of loss. Jarrell's intricate imagery and emotional depth create a poignant and resonant narrative that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and love.

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