Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Supper Before Last" by Stanley Jasspon Kunitz presents a dark, ironic vision of intellectuals at a lavish feast, replete with symbolic imagery and a tone of cynical detachment. The poem offers a critical commentary on the nature of intellectual pursuits, the excesses of indulgence, and the detachment from reality that often accompanies both.

The poem begins by describing "The intellectuals at the feast, / Emaciated on their fare," setting a scene of paradox. These intellectuals, despite being at a feast, are "emaciated," suggesting a lack of true nourishment from their pursuits. This emaciation could be interpreted as a metaphor for the intellectual starvation experienced by those who feed only on abstract ideas without grounding themselves in the practical or the real.

As the poem continues, Kunitz introduces the image of a "fabulous new beast / Upon the massive platter borne." This beast, a symbol of something rare and exotic, represents the intellectual novelty that excites the attendees. Their reaction, "Their tongues rejoice, steeped in the rare / Juices of the unicorn," implies a sense of indulgence in something fantastical and unattainable. The unicorn, a mythical creature, underscores the theme of illusion and the insubstantial nature of their feast.

The tone shifts as the crow enters the scene, "While drunk with ptomaines now, the crow / That hoarsely to the table came." The crow, often associated with death and decay, is a stark contrast to the ethereal unicorn. Its presence at the table, "snatches at gobbets flung below," symbolizes the intrusion of reality and mortality into the intellectuals' lofty world. The crow's "greasy frock" and its act of "Clamps beak on the honeyed mortal game / Under the dreaming hip and hock" further emphasize the grotesque and visceral nature of real life, contrasting sharply with the intellectuals' detached celebration.

Kunitz's use of language in this poem is rich and evocative. Words like "fabulous," "rare," "juices," and "honeyed" evoke sensory pleasure and indulgence, while "emaciated," "ptomaines," "hoarsely," and "greasy" introduce a sense of decay and corruption. This juxtaposition creates a powerful tension, highlighting the disconnect between the intellectuals' pursuits and the harsh realities of life.

Structurally, the poem's compact form and rhythmic cadence lend it a sense of urgency and intensity. The enjambment between lines, particularly in phrases like "Clamps beak on the honeyed mortal game / Under the dreaming hip and hock," propels the reader forward, mirroring the relentless march of time and the inevitable intrusion of reality into the intellectuals' insulated world.

"Supper Before Last" ultimately serves as a critique of intellectualism that is disconnected from the tangible world. Kunitz's portrayal of the feast, with its fantastical elements and the dark presence of the crow, suggests that intellectual pursuits can become hollow and self-indulgent when they lose touch with the practical and the real. The poem's imagery and tone work together to create a vivid, unsettling tableau that challenges the reader to consider the value and purpose of intellectual endeavors in a world where reality is inescapable.

In summary, Stanley Jasspon Kunitz's "Supper Before Last" is a rich, multilayered poem that uses vivid imagery and a tone of ironic detachment to explore themes of intellectualism, indulgence, and the intrusion of reality. Through his evocative language and compact structure, Kunitz crafts a powerful critique of the excesses and limitations of intellectual pursuits, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of nourishment and fulfillment.

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