Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "Son of the Romanovs" is a compelling narrative that intertwines themes of survival, irony, and the absurdity of history. Through the character of Avram, a Jewish cello-mender who finds himself in the unlikely position of a sergeant in the Tsar’s army, Simpson explores the precariousness of life under oppressive regimes and the dark humor that often accompanies such precariousness. The poem's blend of historical reference, personal narrative, and the tragic absurdity of human fate offers a rich tapestry for reflection.

The poem opens with the introduction of Avram, "the only Jewish sergeant in the army of the Tsar," immediately setting up the tension between his identity and his unlikely position in a predominantly Russian, anti-Semitic military force. The specificity of Avram's trade as a cello-mender adds a layer of irony, as it contrasts the delicate art of instrument repair with the brutality and harshness often associated with military life. The scene of Avram being ordered to join an inspection for the Tsar, who is struck by the sight of Avram among "Russians who were seven feet tall," serves as a comical yet pointed commentary on how individuals who stand out, even for mundane reasons, can be thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

The Tsar’s remark, "He must be a genius. I want that fellow at headquarters," encapsulates the randomness of fate and the superficiality with which power can bestow privilege. The line "Luck is given by God. A wife you must find for yourself" speaks to the mixture of divine intervention and human agency that governs Avram’s life. Avram’s subsequent marriage to a rich widow in Odessa, who lives in a house "filled with music," further underscores the unexpected turns his life takes, blending cultural and domestic elements in a way that feels both poignant and surreal.

The poem takes a darker turn with the arrival of a beggar, described as "a Russian, who had been blessed by God—that is, he was crazy." This beggar claims to be "a natural son of the Grand Duke Nicholas," an assertion that Avram meets with a kind of resigned hospitality. The phrase "I owe your people a favor" is loaded with historical irony, hinting at the complex, often fraught relationships between Jews and the Russian aristocracy. By inviting the beggar to stay and assigning him the role of a footman—a role unheard of for Jewish people—Simpson introduces a layer of absurdity that reflects the broader absurdity of social roles and survival mechanisms under oppression.

The narrative reaches its tragic climax with the arrival of the Germans, representing the imminent danger of the Holocaust. The poem’s tone shifts to one of sorrow and disbelief as it describes the scene of "old people holding onto their baggage" and "children" who have been falsely told that "it’s a game." The tension between the adults' desperate attempt to shield the children from the horror of their fate and the children's mistrust of this deception is heart-wrenching, capturing the devastating human cost of war and persecution.

When the German soldier questions Nicholas, pointing out that "he doesn’t look like a Jew," Nicholas’s response—"I’m the natural son of the Grand Duke Nicholas"—leads to his tragic demise. His inability to "keep his mouth shut," as noted by the speaker's Grandmother, becomes his downfall, reflecting both the innocence and the madness that defines his character. The Grandmother’s final observation, "All of those Romanovs were a little bit crazy," serves as a bitterly ironic commentary on the twisted fates of those entangled in the machinations of power, be they aristocrats, beggars, or ordinary people like Avram.

"Son of the Romanovs" is a masterful exploration of the intersection of history, fate, and irony. Simpson weaves a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, capturing the absurdity of life under tyranny and the small, sometimes darkly humorous, acts of survival that accompany it. Through the character of Avram and his encounter with Nicholas, Simpson reflects on the randomness of fortune, the cruel twists of history, and the often surreal ways in which people navigate their lives within oppressive systems. The poem leaves readers with a sense of the tragic absurdity of human existence, where even the most seemingly inconsequential details can lead to the most profound consequences.

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