Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "L'homme Et La Bête" (translated as "The Man and the Beast") is a dark and powerful poem that explores the themes of scarcity, violence, and societal justice through the grim event of an execution. The poem is set in a rural community experiencing hardship, and it delves into the stark reality of human and animal suffering.

The poem begins with a description of the difficult summer: "Bread is dear / And last year's wine / Almost gone / And a poor harvest / Not yet in." These lines immediately set a tone of scarcity and struggle, indicating a community on the brink of desperation. The dire circumstances are further emphasized by the horrific event that follows: "Three weeks ago / Mondre's sow / Ate a child." The brutal image of a sow consuming a child shocks the reader and highlights the extremity of the situation.

The mother, too terrified to react, symbolizes the paralysis that can accompany overwhelming fear and trauma. The description of various townspeople—mother with infant, beggar, mayor, pickpocket, pimp, and the town whore—coming together to witness the sow's execution underscores the universality of the community's response to this event. It suggests a collective need for justice or retribution, regardless of social standing.

The execution scene is depicted in vivid, harrowing detail. The sow is described as "Squealing, head down, / With pinioned feet / Pushing in air / Against her fate," conveying the animal's panic and helplessness. The formality of the process, with the clerk's Latin sentence and the drumbeat, contrasts sharply with the brutality of the act itself. The crowd's anticipation and the hangman's methodical actions highlight the ritualistic nature of the execution.

Mondre's shout, expressing relief at the end of the sow's life, reflects the community's need for closure and perhaps a misplaced sense of justice. The final lines of the poem, "In God's world / A pig receives / The ceremony / A pig deserves," offer a bitter commentary on the event. This statement, likely delivered by someone from the community, suggests a harsh view of justice, where even in God's world, the suffering of the innocent (whether human or animal) is met with a cruel and indifferent form of ceremony.

Levine's poem starkly illustrates the brutal intersection of human desperation and animal instinct, set against the backdrop of a community in crisis. The execution of the sow becomes a symbol of both human vengeance and the harsh realities of survival. Through this grim tableau, Levine challenges the reader to reflect on the nature of justice, the thin veneer of civilization, and the underlying violence that can erupt in times of scarcity and fear.

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