Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "His Terror," Sharon Olds explores the profound fears and vulnerabilities of a father facing terminal illness, along with the complexities of faith and the rituals that provide comfort in his final days. The poem juxtaposes the father's religious devotion with the unspoken fears that may linger within him, reflecting on the physical and emotional aspects of dying.

The poem begins with a description of the father's affection for the portable altar brought to the hospital by the minister. The altar, with "its tiny cruets and phials, its cross that stands up," becomes a symbol of the father's faith and the solace he finds in religious rituals. The comparison of the cross to "the ballerina who unbent when I opened my jewelry box" introduces a poignant image from the speaker's childhood, linking the act of opening the altar to a moment of innocent wonder. This metaphor also foreshadows the folding away of life, much like the ballerina bowing and disappearing into the darkness of the box, and the speaker waiting "under my bed, for morning," hinting at a child's fear of the dark and the unknown.

The father's interaction with the minister, whom he affectionately calls "Father," underscores his deep connection to the religious ceremony and the comfort it brings him. He opens his mouth for the Eucharist, "the porous disc," which is laid on his tongue, participating in a ritual that provides spiritual nourishment and perhaps a sense of peace.

However, the poem shifts to a more introspective and unsettling tone as the speaker considers the possibility of terror lurking within the father. The physical reality of his illness is starkly presented: "The lumps of the cancer are everywhere now, he can lay his palm where they swell his skin, he can finger the holes where the surgeon has been in him." This vivid description conveys the invasive and pervasive nature of the disease, highlighting the palpable presence of the cancer in his body. The father's request for the speaker to touch these lumps suggests a desire for connection and perhaps a way to share his burden.

The central question of the poem arises: "Maybe his terror is not of dying, or even of death, but of some cry he has kept inside him all his life." This line suggests that the father's greatest fear may not be the end of life itself but the unresolved emotions and unexpressed grief he has carried. The idea of a "cry" held inside hints at a deep-seated, unarticulated pain or sorrow, possibly related to regrets, missed opportunities, or unspoken truths.

The poem concludes with the acknowledgment that there are only "weeks left," emphasizing the limited time remaining and the urgency of confronting these inner fears. The final lines leave the reader with a sense of unresolved tension, as the true nature of the father's terror remains unspoken and unknown.

"His Terror" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of facing death, the comfort found in faith, and the deeper, often unspoken fears that accompany the end of life. Sharon Olds delves into the intimate and physical aspects of illness, as well as the psychological and emotional layers that shape a person's experience of dying. The poem's reflective tone and vivid imagery create a powerful meditation on mortality, the rituals that offer solace, and the unexpressed emotions that may haunt us until the end. Through this narrative, Olds captures the universal struggle to find peace and understanding in the face of life's ultimate uncertainty.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...