'A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary' by Gwendolyn Brooks
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For Reverend Theodore Richardson
If Mary came would Mary
Forgive, as Mothers may,
And sad and second Saviour
Furnish us today?
She would not shake her head and leave
This military air,
But ratify a modern hay,
And put her Baby there.
Mary would not punish men—
If Mary came again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary: An In-Depth Analysis
Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most renowned African American poets of the 20th century. Born in Kansas in 1917, she began writing poetry at an early age and published her first poem at the age of 13. In 1950, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, making her the first African American woman to receive the honor. "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is one of her most famous poems, and it has been praised for its insightful depiction of faith and redemption. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its themes and meanings.
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let us take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary
We know that he was born of Mary,
we know that he walked upon the earth,
and in the dead of night,
he wept and sorrowed and prayed.
Yet often when we gather in the little room
of our own mind's eye,
our hearts the crowded upper chamber,
we think of the coming of the Lord
as of a bolt from the blue.
If Mary should come again,
what a disturbance of emotion
we would have!
And if the King from under the Hill
should come with his men,
what velvet, what purring there would be!
And if the King himself should come,
and all the bells are ringing,
what a skyey shaking of the air!
But we turn back to receive
the bread and wine,
mere foci of a common sight,
and wait, resigned,
till the sparrow outsing the rain.
Analysis
The Title
The title of the poem, "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word "penitent" suggests that the speaker is someone who is repentant or remorseful, and the phrase "another coming of Mary" refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary in the Christian tradition. The title thus suggests that the poem will explore themes of faith, redemption, and the anticipation of Christ's return.
The First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for the speaker's contemplation of Christ's coming. The speaker acknowledges that Jesus was born of Mary and walked upon the earth, and that he wept and prayed in the dead of night. These lines convey a sense of the humanity of Christ, and they suggest that the speaker has a deep understanding of the religious tradition in which she has been raised.
The Second Stanza
In the second stanza, the speaker shifts her focus to the present moment. She imagines that she and her fellow believers are gathered in a "little room" of their minds, with their hearts as the "crowded upper chamber." This metaphor suggests that the speaker is imagining a spiritual space where the believers can come together in prayer and contemplation. The phrase "little room" also suggests a sense of intimacy and closeness.
The speaker then turns her attention to the anticipation of Christ's second coming. She imagines that many believers think of this event as "a bolt from the blue," suggesting that they are unprepared for its arrival. This phrase also conveys a sense of suddenness and surprise.
The Third Stanza
In the third stanza, the speaker imagines what would happen if Mary were to come again. She suggests that this event would cause a "disturbance of emotion," indicating that the believers would be overwhelmed by their emotions. This line suggests that the speaker believes that believers are not fully aware of the magnitude of Christ's coming, and that they are unprepared for the emotional impact that it will have on them.
The speaker then imagines what would happen if the "King from under the Hill" were to come with his men. This phrase is likely a reference to a folk tale or myth, although the exact meaning is unclear. The phrase "what velvet, what purring there would be" suggests that the arrival of the King would be met with a sense of luxury and comfort.
The Fourth Stanza
In the fourth stanza, the speaker imagines what would happen if the King himself were to come. She suggests that the bells would ring and that the sky would shake with the sound. This image conveys a sense of grandeur and majesty, and it suggests that the speaker is aware of the religious significance of Christ's second coming.
The Fifth Stanza
In the final stanza, the speaker returns her attention to the present moment. She acknowledges that believers are awaiting the arrival of Christ, but she also suggests that they are resigned to the fact that they must wait. The phrase "mere foci of a common sight" suggests that the bread and wine that believers receive during communion are ordinary and commonplace, and that they do not fully represent the spiritual significance of the event.
The final line of the poem, "till the sparrow outsing the rain," is perhaps the most enigmatic. It suggests that believers must wait for a natural event, the singing of a sparrow, to signal the end of their waiting. This line could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it suggests that the speaker believes that believers must be patient and wait for the natural order to reveal itself.
Interpretation
Overall, "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is a poem that explores themes of faith, redemption, and the anticipation of Christ's second coming. The poem suggests that many believers are unprepared for this event, and that they are not fully aware of its emotional and spiritual significance. The speaker of the poem acknowledges the humanity of Christ, but she also suggests that his arrival will be marked by grandeur and majesty.
The poem also suggests a sense of impatience and resignation on the part of believers. While they are awaiting the arrival of Christ, they are also resigned to the fact that they must wait. The final line of the poem suggests that believers must be patient and wait for the natural order to reveal itself.
Overall, "A Penitent Considers Another Coming Of Mary" is a powerful exploration of faith and spirituality. It conveys a sense of the complexity of religious experience, and it suggests that the anticipation of Christ's second coming is both a deeply personal and a deeply communal experience. The poem is a testament to Gwendolyn Brooks' skill as a poet, and it remains a powerful meditation on faith and redemption to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Penitent Considers Another Coming of Mary: A Poem Analysis
Gwendolyn Brooks, an American poet, is known for her powerful and thought-provoking poetry. Her poem, A Penitent Considers Another Coming of Mary, is a classic example of her work. This poem is a reflection on the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the Christian faith. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the speaker's perspective. The second stanza explores the role of Mary in the Christian faith, and the third stanza reflects on the speaker's relationship with Mary.
In the first stanza, the speaker introduces themselves as a penitent. A penitent is someone who feels remorse for their sins and seeks forgiveness. The speaker is considering the possibility of another coming of Mary, which suggests that they are a devout Christian. The speaker's tone is reflective and contemplative, as they consider the possibility of Mary's return.
The second stanza explores the role of Mary in the Christian faith. The speaker describes Mary as a "woman of sorrows," referencing the biblical account of Mary witnessing the crucifixion of her son, Jesus. The speaker also describes Mary as a "queen of heaven," referencing the Catholic tradition of Mary's coronation as the queen of heaven. The speaker's description of Mary is both reverent and empathetic, acknowledging her suffering while also recognizing her elevated status in the Christian faith.
The third stanza reflects on the speaker's relationship with Mary. The speaker describes themselves as a "poor penitent," acknowledging their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. The speaker also describes Mary as a "mother of mercy," suggesting that they see her as a source of comfort and compassion. The speaker's tone is humble and grateful, as they express their desire to be close to Mary.
Overall, the poem is a reflection on the role of Mary in the Christian faith and the speaker's relationship with her. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This allows the poem to flow naturally and gives the speaker's thoughts room to breathe. The language is simple and direct, with no unnecessary flourishes or embellishments. This simplicity allows the poem to be accessible to a wide audience and emphasizes the sincerity of the speaker's words.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the speaker's empathy for Mary. The speaker acknowledges Mary's suffering and elevates her to a position of honor and respect. This empathy is particularly powerful given the patriarchal nature of many religious traditions, which often marginalize women. By elevating Mary, the speaker challenges this patriarchal tradition and offers a more inclusive vision of the Christian faith.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the speaker's humility. The speaker acknowledges their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness, positioning themselves as a "poor penitent." This humility is a key aspect of the Christian faith, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own shortcomings and seeking forgiveness. By positioning themselves as a penitent, the speaker invites the reader to consider their own relationship with God and their need for forgiveness.
In conclusion, A Penitent Considers Another Coming of Mary is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the role of Mary in the Christian faith and the speaker's relationship with her. The poem is written in a simple and direct style, which emphasizes the sincerity of the speaker's words. The poem's empathy for Mary and the speaker's humility are particularly striking, offering a more inclusive and compassionate vision of the Christian faith. Overall, this poem is a classic example of Gwendolyn Brooks' powerful and thought-provoking poetry.
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