'Holy Thursday' by Paul Muldoon


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They're kindly here, to let us linger so late,
Long after the shutters are up.
A waiter glides from the kitchen with a plate
Of stew, or some thick soup,

And settles himself at the next table but one.
We know, you and I, that it's over,
That something or other has come between
Us, whatever we are, or were.

The waiter swabs his plate with bread
And drains what's left of his wine,
Then rearranges, one by one,
The knife, the fork, the spoon, the napkin,
The table itself, the chair he's simply borrowed,
And smiles, and bows to his own absence.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Holy Thursday by Paul Muldoon: A Literary Criticism

Holy Thursday is one of Paul Muldoon's most celebrated poems. It was published in his 1998 collection titled "Hay". The poem reflects on the traditional Christian celebration of the same name, which is also known as Ascension Day, when the church commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven. Muldoon's poem, however, is not a straightforward retelling of the biblical event. Instead, it is a complex and multi-layered work that uses imagery and symbolism to explore themes of poverty, inequality, and social justice. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various aspects of Holy Thursday and analyze the ways in which Muldoon uses language and form to convey his message.

The Poem's Structure

Before diving into the poem's content, it is worth analyzing its structure. Holy Thursday is a long poem that consists of four stanzas, each of which contains twenty-four lines. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. However, the lines are roughly of the same length, giving the poem a sense of balance and symmetry. The lack of a formal structure allows Muldoon to experiment with language and form, creating a work that is both unpredictable and engaging.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most distinctive features of Holy Thursday is its rich and vivid imagery. Muldoon utilizes a range of visual and sensory images to convey his message. For instance, in the first stanza, he describes the children who are marching through the streets as "like angels in white, / With veils and wands." This image conjures up a sense of innocence and purity, which is contrasted with the poverty and deprivation that the children are likely to face. Similarly, in the second stanza, Muldoon describes the children's "dull eyes" and "ragged clothes," highlighting their poverty and vulnerability.

The third stanza contains some of the poem's most striking imagery. Here, Muldoon describes the children as "like candles that have guttered out," emphasizing their frailty and mortality. This image is contrasted with the image of the bishops, who are described as "like ships in full sail," highlighting their wealth and power. The contrast between the two images is meant to underscore the theme of inequality that runs throughout the poem.

Symbolism

In addition to its vivid imagery, Holy Thursday also makes extensive use of symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the image of the "bright, shiny steeple." This symbol represents the church and its wealth and power. Muldoon contrasts this with the image of the children, who are described as "like lambs to the slaughter." This image represents their vulnerability and the fact that they are being exploited by the church. The contrast between the two symbols highlights the theme of social injustice that is central to the poem.

Another important symbol in Holy Thursday is the image of the "wands" that the children are carrying. These wands represent the power of the church and its ability to control and manipulate the masses. Muldoon suggests that the children are being used as pawns in a larger game of power and that they are not truly free.

Language and Tone

The language and tone of Holy Thursday are both highly evocative and powerful. Muldoon uses a range of techniques to create a sense of urgency and emotional intensity. For instance, he employs repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "bright, shiny steeple" and "like lambs to the slaughter." These repetitions create a kind of hypnotic effect that draws the reader into the poem.

The tone of Holy Thursday is one of anger and indignation. Muldoon is clearly outraged by the injustice and inequality that he sees around him, and his poem is a powerful indictment of the church and its role in perpetuating these injustices. However, despite the anger that underlies the poem, there is also a sense of compassion and empathy for the children who are being exploited.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Holy Thursday is a powerful and multi-layered poem that uses imagery, symbolism, language, and tone to explore themes of poverty, inequality, and social justice. Through his use of vivid imagery and striking symbolism, Muldoon creates a work that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The poem's structure, language, and tone all contribute to its emotional impact, making it a powerful statement on the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Holy Thursday by Paul Muldoon is a classic poem that explores the themes of poverty, religion, and social inequality. The poem is a part of Muldoon's collection of works titled "Meeting the British," which was published in 1987. The poem is a reflection on the annual tradition of Holy Thursday, which is a day of religious observance in the Christian faith.

The poem begins with a description of the children who are participating in the Holy Thursday procession. Muldoon describes the children as "innocent faces" who are "washed and clean." The use of the word "innocent" suggests that the children are pure and untouched by the corruption of the world. The fact that they are "washed and clean" reinforces this idea and suggests that they are being prepared for something important.

The next stanza of the poem describes the children as they walk through the streets of the city. Muldoon writes that the children are "marching two by two" and that they are "dressed in red and blue." The use of the word "marching" suggests that the children are on a mission or a journey. The fact that they are "dressed in red and blue" suggests that they are part of a larger group or organization.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of poverty. Muldoon writes that the children are "from the charity schools" and that they are "thin and pale." The use of the word "charity" suggests that the children are from poor families who cannot afford to send them to regular schools. The fact that they are "thin and pale" suggests that they are malnourished and suffering from poverty.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the children as they enter the church. Muldoon writes that the children are "led by priests" and that they are "singing hymns." The use of the word "led" suggests that the children are being guided or directed by the priests. The fact that they are "singing hymns" suggests that they are participating in a religious ceremony.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of social inequality. Muldoon writes that the children are "seated in companies" and that they are "counted and measured." The use of the word "companies" suggests that the children are being organized into groups. The fact that they are "counted and measured" suggests that they are being evaluated or judged.

The sixth stanza of the poem describes the children as they receive their food. Muldoon writes that the children are "fed with cold and usurous hand" and that they are "nourished with a cold and usurous hand." The use of the word "usurous" suggests that the food is being given to the children in a way that is exploitative or unfair. The fact that the food is "cold" suggests that it is not being given with warmth or compassion.

The seventh stanza of the poem describes the children as they leave the church. Muldoon writes that the children are "led out into the bitter air" and that they are "bareheaded, shivering, and cold." The use of the word "bitter" suggests that the weather is harsh and unforgiving. The fact that the children are "bareheaded" suggests that they are not properly dressed for the weather. The fact that they are "shivering and cold" suggests that they are suffering from the cold.

The eighth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the events of Holy Thursday. Muldoon writes that the children are "led away to a bleak institution" and that they are "locked up from eight to eight." The use of the word "bleak" suggests that the institution is harsh and unforgiving. The fact that the children are "locked up" suggests that they are being confined or imprisoned.

In conclusion, Holy Thursday by Paul Muldoon is a powerful poem that explores the themes of poverty, religion, and social inequality. The poem is a reflection on the annual tradition of Holy Thursday and the treatment of poor children in society. The poem is a reminder that we must be compassionate and caring towards those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

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