Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Traditional Tune" is a reflective and poignant piece that explores the cyclical nature of history, emphasizing the recurring themes of suffering, struggle, and the quest for freedom. Through a blend of biblical allusions and historical references, Rukeyser connects past events with contemporary struggles, creating a narrative that is both timeless and urgent.

The poem opens with a stark juxtaposition: "After the revolution came the Fuehrer; / And after the resurrection, the Christian Era." This line immediately establishes a pattern of transformative events followed by periods of authoritarianism or new regimes. The "Fuehrer" refers to Adolf Hitler, whose rise followed the upheavals of revolution, symbolizing a regression or a turn towards despotism. Similarly, the "Christian Era" following the resurrection alludes to the establishment of a new religious order that, while rooted in a message of salvation, also led to centuries of doctrinal conflicts and crusades.

Rukeyser continues with a biblical reference: "Just after the Exodus, in the divided sea / The chariots drowned, and then the tempering / By forty sandy years of misery." This recalls the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, only to wander in the desert for forty years. The "divided sea" refers to the parting of the Red Sea, a moment of miraculous deliverance followed by prolonged hardship. This pattern highlights the notion that liberation often comes with its own set of challenges and prolonged struggles.

The poem then moves to another historical reference: "And after the King of the Jews came Godfrey King; / Kneedeep in blood the children wandering, / Holy Holy Holy hear the children sing." Godfrey of Bouillon was a leader of the First Crusade and became the ruler of Jerusalem. His reign, marked by violence and bloodshed, contrasts sharply with the peaceful image of the "King of the Jews," referring to Jesus. The children's song, "Holy Holy Holy," juxtaposed with the image of them wandering "Kneedeep in blood," underscores the brutal realities of holy wars and the innocence lost amidst the carnage.

Rukeyser's poem then addresses the contemporary audience: "Now mouthdeep nosedeep the fires reach our eye. / Teach us from torment to fly and not to fly. / Not yet safe, not ready to die." This plea reflects the modern struggle against ongoing violence and oppression. The imagery of being engulfed in flames suggests both physical and spiritual torment. The paradoxical desire to "fly and not to fly" encapsulates the conflict between the urge to escape suffering and the need to confront and overcome it.

The poem's reflection on faith and resilience continues: "Illumination and night cast on the eyes of those / Believing and fighting, playing the Worldly Fool, / Fool of Thy Word, who feel the century / Rule, under whose deep wave explosion waits." Here, Rukeyser invokes the figure of the "Worldly Fool," someone who adheres to divine principles despite the apparent absurdity and danger in a tumultuous world. The "deep wave explosion" waiting signifies the ever-present threat of destruction, a reminder of the precarious nature of existence.

Rukeyser concludes with a return to the biblical narrative: "Sailing, remembering the rock and the child, / Sailing remember the sand, the city, the wild / Holy songs. Deaths! Pillar of cloud and sun, / Remember us and remember them and all / Not safe, not free sailing again upon / The sacred dangerous harbor, Jerusalem." The imagery of "sailing" evokes a journey or quest, both literal and metaphorical. The "rock and the child" likely refer to the foundational stories and the innocence at the heart of these struggles. The "Pillar of cloud and sun" alludes to the divine guidance given to the Israelites in the desert. The invocation of Jerusalem, a city symbolic of both divine promise and historical conflict, ties together the poem's themes of faith, struggle, and the continuous quest for peace and freedom.

"Traditional Tune" thus encapsulates a profound meditation on the cycles of history and human endurance. Rukeyser's use of rich, allusive language and her ability to weave together past and present struggles create a powerful reflection on the enduring nature of human hope and resilience amidst suffering and conflict.

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