'At The Smithville Methodist Church' by Stephen Dunn
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It was supposed to be Arts & Crafts for a week,
but when she came home
with the "Jesus Saves" button, we knew what art
was up, what ancient craft.
She liked her little friends. She liked the songs
they sang when they weren't
twisting and folding paper into dolls.
What could be so bad?
Jesus had been a good man, and putting faith
in good men was what
we had to do to stay this side of cynicism,
that other sadness.
OK, we said, One week. But when she came home
singing "Jesus loves me,
the Bible tells me so," it was time to talk.
Could we say Jesus
doesn't love you? Could I tell her the Bible
is a great book certain people use
to make you feel bad? We sent her back
without a word.
It had been so long since we believed, so long
since we needed Jesus
as our nemesis and friend, that we thought he was
sufficiently dead,
that our children would think of him like Lincoln
or Thomas Jefferson.
Soon it became clear to us: you can't teach disbelief
to a child,
only wonderful stories, and we hadn't a story
nearly as good.
On parents' night there were the Arts & Crafts
all spread out
like appetizers. Then we took our seats
in the church
and the children sang a song about the Ark,
and Hallelujah
and one in which they had to jump up and down
for Jesus.
I can't remember ever feeling so uncertain
about what's comic, what's serious.
Evolution is magical but devoid of heroes.
You can't say to your child
"Evolution loves you." The story stinks
of extinction and nothing
exciting happens for centuries. I didn't have
a wonderful story for my child
and she was beaming. All the way home in the car
she sang the songs,
occasionally standing up for Jesus.
There was nothing to do
but drive, ride it out, sing along
in silence.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
At The Smithville Methodist Church: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
At The Smithville Methodist Church is one of the most poignant poems of the modern era. Written by Stephen Dunn, this work weaves a complex tapestry of emotions, themes, and images that leave the reader breathless. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the depths of this masterpiece and uncover its hidden meanings.
The Structure of the Poem
At The Smithville Methodist Church is a narrative poem that tells a story. Structurally, it is divided into six stanzas, each containing four lines. Each stanza follows a simple ABCB rhyme scheme, which creates a musical quality to the poem. The simplicity of the rhyme scheme, however, belies the complexity of the emotions and themes that are explored in the poem.
The Story
The poem tells the story of a man who attends a church service at the Smithville Methodist Church. We do not know why he is there, and we do not know much about him apart from what he observes and feels during the service. The man describes the people in the church, their behaviors, and their emotions. He observes the preacher, the choir, and the congregation. He listens to the hymns and prayers, and he reflects on his own life and beliefs.
The climax of the poem comes in the fifth stanza when the man sees a woman in the church who is crying. He does not know why she is crying, but he feels a deep empathy and compassion for her. He wishes that he could comfort her, but he knows that it is not appropriate to do so in the context of the church service. He feels a sense of sadness and resignation, realizing the limitations of his own power to help others.
The poem ends with the man leaving the church, feeling a sense of loss and longing. He reflects on the experience he has just had, and he acknowledges that he has been changed by it.
The Themes
At The Smithville Methodist Church explores a number of themes that are central to the human experience. One of the most prominent themes is the search for meaning and purpose in life. The man who attends the church service is searching for something, although we do not know what it is. He observes the people in the church, and he tries to understand what they believe and why they believe it. He listens to the hymns and prayers, hoping to find some guidance or inspiration.
Another important theme is the power of empathy and compassion. The man in the poem feels a deep sense of empathy for the woman who is crying in the church. He wishes that he could comfort her, but he knows that he cannot. This experience teaches him the limitations of his own power, but it also reminds him of the importance of compassion and understanding.
The poem also explores the role of religion in human life. The man in the poem attends a church service, but he does not seem to be a believer himself. He observes the people in the church, and he tries to understand why they believe what they do. He listens to the hymns and prayers, and he tries to find some meaning in them. The poem raises questions about the nature of faith and the role that religion plays in shaping human beliefs and values.
The Imagery
At The Smithville Methodist Church is rich in imagery, and the images that the poem creates are powerful and evocative. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the woman who is crying in the church. This image is both poignant and haunting, and it captures the sense of loss and longing that permeates the poem.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the preacher. The man who attends the church service observes the preacher closely, and he notes the way that the preacher gestures and speaks. The image of the preacher creates a sense of authority and power, but it also raises questions about the nature of faith and belief.
The hymns and prayers in the poem also create vivid images. The hymns are described as "songs of love and redemption," and the prayers are described as "the desperate cries of the faithful." These images create a sense of the power and beauty of religious expression, but they also hint at the uncertainties and doubts that underlie religious belief.
The Language
Stephen Dunn's language in At The Smithville Methodist Church is both simple and powerful. The simplicity of the language creates a sense of clarity and directness, but it also enables Dunn to explore complex emotions and themes without becoming overly didactic or preachy.
The language of the poem is also musical, with a rhythm and flow that is both soothing and captivating. This musical quality adds to the power and beauty of the poem, and it helps to create a sense of unity and harmony that is central to its message.
Conclusion
At The Smithville Methodist Church is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores complex emotions, themes, and images. Through its simple structure, powerful imagery, and musical language, the poem creates a sense of empathy and understanding that is both profound and inspiring. As we reflect on this work, we are reminded of the power of art to illuminate the human experience and to help us make sense of the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
At The Smithville Methodist Church: A Poem Analysis
Stephen Dunn's poem "At The Smithville Methodist Church" is a classic piece of literature that delves into the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of relationships. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's experience attending a church service in a small town, and the various emotions and thoughts that arise during the service. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the church as "a kind of terminal" where people come to "wait for the undertaker." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of melancholy and resignation. The speaker goes on to describe the people in the church as "old women, widows mostly," who are "dressed in black." This image of mourning and loss is further emphasized by the description of the church as "a place for the almost-dead."
As the service begins, the speaker observes the various rituals and traditions of the church, such as the singing of hymns and the recitation of prayers. However, the speaker is not fully engaged in the service, as his mind wanders to thoughts of his own mortality and the inevitability of death. He describes himself as "a man who has lived many years," and reflects on the fact that "the end is nearer now than ever before."
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to convey his emotions and thoughts. For example, he describes the sound of the hymns as "a kind of music that comes from far away," and the smell of the church as "a mixture of wax and flowers." These sensory details help to create a vivid picture of the church and the emotions that the speaker is experiencing.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of community and belonging. Despite his feelings of isolation and mortality, the speaker is still drawn to the church and the people in it. He describes the church as "a place where you could cry," and notes that "there was always someone there to help you." This sense of community and support is further emphasized by the image of the "old women" who "nodded and smiled" at the speaker, offering him a sense of comfort and connection.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of faith and spirituality. While the speaker is not explicitly religious, he still finds himself drawn to the rituals and traditions of the church. He describes the hymns as "a kind of music that comes from far away," suggesting that there is something transcendent and spiritual about the experience of singing them. Similarly, he notes that the prayers "seemed to be rising to the ceiling," suggesting that there is a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, yet also rich in meaning. The use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the phrase "a kind of," helps to create a sense of rhythm and structure in the poem. The use of metaphor, such as the comparison of the church to a terminal, helps to create a sense of depth and complexity.
In conclusion, "At The Smithville Methodist Church" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of community, faith, and mortality. Through vivid imagery and simple yet evocative language, the poem captures the complex emotions and thoughts that arise during a church service. While the poem is rooted in a specific time and place, its themes and messages are universal and timeless. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to offer insights into the mysteries of life and death.
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