'More Light! More Light!' by Anthony Hecht
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For Heinrich Blucher and Hannah Arendt
Composed in the Tower before his execution
These moving verses, and being brought at that time
Painfully to the stake, submitted, declaring thus:
"I implore my God to witness that I have made no crime."
Nor was he forsaken of courage, but the death was horrible,
The sack of gunpowder failing to ignite.
His legs were blistered sticks on which the black sap
Bubbled and burst as he howled for the Kindly Light.
And that was but one, and by no means one of he worst;
Permitted at least his pitiful dignity;
And such as were by made prayers in the name of Christ,
That shall judge all men, for his soul's tranquility.
We move now to outside a German wood.
Three men are there commanded to dig a hole
In which the two Jews are ordered to lie down
And be buried alive by the third, who is a Pole.
Not light from the shrine at Weimar beyond the hill
Nor light from heaven appeared. But he did refuse.
A Luger settled back deeply in its glove.
He was ordered to change places with the Jews.
Much casual death had drained away their souls.
The thick dirt mounted toward the quivering chin.
When only the head was exposed the order came
To dig him out again and to get back in.
No light, no light in the blue Polish eye.
When he finished a riding boot packed down the earth.
The Luger hovered lightly in its glove.
He was shot in the belly and in three hours bled to death.
No prayers or incense rose up in those hours
Which grew to be years, and every day came mute
Ghosts from the ovens, sifting through crisp air,
And settled upon his eyes in a black soot.
Editor 1 Interpretation
More Light! More Light! by Anthony Hecht
Have you ever read a poem that has left you feeling haunted? A poem that lingers in your mind, long after you’ve finished reading it? More Light! More Light! by Anthony Hecht is one such poem. This powerful piece of literature not only deals with the horrors of war, but also with the concept of justice and morality.
Background
First published in 1973, More Light! More Light! is a poem that was inspired by the execution of German poet and playwright, Johann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin. Hölderlin was deemed insane by the state and was placed under house arrest. However, he attempted to escape and was eventually captured by the authorities. As punishment, he was placed in a tower and left to live out the rest of his days in isolation.
This poem is not only a tribute to Hölderlin, but also a commentary on the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Hecht himself was a veteran of World War II and saw firsthand the horrors of war. In fact, More Light! More Light! was the last poem in his collection, The Hard Hours, which was published in 1967.
Analysis
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which is comprised of four stanzas. The first section describes the setting in which the execution takes place. Hecht uses vivid imagery to describe the darkness and the cold, which creates a sense of foreboding. The first line, “American and not a German court” immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is clear that Hecht is trying to distance himself from the events that are about to take place.
The second section describes the execution itself. The repetition of the phrase “More Light! More Light!” serves to reinforce the idea that justice is being served. The speaker is demanding more light so that the executioner can see what he is doing. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that justice is not being served at all.
The final section of the poem is a reflection on what has just happened. The speaker is left feeling haunted by the execution and questions the morality of it all. The final line, “O, all ye powers that he implanted” is a reference to God and serves to highlight the idea that justice ultimately lies in the hands of a higher power.
Throughout the poem, Hecht uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. The repetition of the phrase “More Light! More Light!” serves to create a sense of urgency and desperation. The use of vivid imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Hecht also uses enjambment to create a sense of momentum, which adds to the tension of the poem.
Interpretation
At its core, More Light! More Light! is a poem about the nature of justice and morality. The execution of Hölderlin is used as a metaphor for the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Hecht is trying to ask the question, “What is justice?” Is justice simply a matter of punishing those who have committed crimes? Or is there something more to it?
The repetition of the phrase “More Light! More Light!” serves to highlight the idea that justice is a murky concept. The speaker is demanding more light so that justice can be served, but in reality, justice is not being served at all. The darkness and cold that are described throughout the poem serve as a metaphor for the darkness that exists within humanity.
The final line of the poem, “O, all ye powers that he implanted” serves to highlight the idea that justice ultimately lies in the hands of a higher power. Hecht is suggesting that justice cannot be achieved through human means alone. There must be a higher power that is responsible for justice.
Conclusion
More Light! More Light! is a haunting and powerful poem that deals with the concept of justice and morality. Hecht’s use of vivid imagery and repetition serves to create a sense of tension and urgency, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem. The final line of the poem serves as a reminder that justice ultimately lies in the hands of a higher power. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
More Light! More Light! is a classic poem written by Anthony Hecht, a renowned American poet. The poem is a powerful and haunting depiction of the horrors of war and the brutality of human nature. It is a reflection on the atrocities committed during the Second World War, particularly the Holocaust, and the need for justice and accountability.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character, a prisoner who is about to be executed. The second stanza describes the execution itself, while the third stanza is a plea for justice and a call for the truth to be revealed.
The poem opens with the line "O stern and sacred rite of Death," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "sacred" is particularly striking, as it suggests that death is not just a physical event, but also a spiritual one. The use of the word "rite" also implies that the execution is a ritual, a ceremony that must be performed with solemnity and reverence.
The second line of the poem introduces the main character, who is described as "a man who is pale." This description immediately creates a sense of sympathy for the prisoner, as it suggests that he is weak and vulnerable. The use of the word "pale" also implies that he is sick or injured, which adds to the sense of injustice and cruelty.
The third line of the poem is a direct address to the executioner, who is described as "the hangman." The use of this term is significant, as it suggests that the executioner is not just a person doing a job, but someone who is actively involved in the act of killing. The use of the word "hangman" also implies that the execution is a form of punishment, rather than a means of justice.
The fourth line of the poem is a plea for mercy, as the prisoner asks for "more light." This request is not just a physical one, but also a metaphorical one. The use of the word "light" suggests that the prisoner is seeking enlightenment, or a deeper understanding of the situation he is in. It also implies that he is seeking justice and accountability, as light is often associated with truth and transparency.
The fifth line of the poem is a repetition of the fourth, with the prisoner again asking for "more light." This repetition adds to the sense of urgency and desperation, as it suggests that the prisoner is running out of time and needs to know the truth before he dies.
The final line of the stanza is a plea for the executioner to "be merciful." This plea is significant, as it suggests that the prisoner is not just seeking justice for himself, but also for others who have suffered at the hands of the executioner. It also implies that the prisoner is aware of the executioner's role in the atrocities committed during the war, and is calling for him to take responsibility for his actions.
The second stanza of the poem describes the execution itself, and is a powerful and graphic depiction of the brutality of war. The first line of the stanza is a repetition of the first line of the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the execution is a sacred rite.
The second line of the stanza describes the prisoner being led to the gallows, and the use of the word "led" suggests that he is being forced to go, rather than going willingly. The third line describes the prisoner being "strapped to the chair," which creates a sense of helplessness and vulnerability.
The fourth line of the stanza is a repetition of the fourth line of the first stanza, with the prisoner again asking for "more light." This repetition reinforces the idea that the prisoner is seeking justice and accountability, even in his final moments.
The fifth line of the stanza describes the executioner pulling the lever, and the use of the word "jerked" suggests that the act is sudden and violent. The final line of the stanza is a powerful and haunting image of the prisoner's body "swinging in the air." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the prisoner's life has been reduced to a mere object, swinging back and forth in the wind.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a plea for justice and a call for the truth to be revealed. The first line of the stanza is a repetition of the first line of the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the execution is a sacred rite.
The second line of the stanza is a direct address to the "judges," who are called upon to "search his heart." This line is significant, as it suggests that the judges have a responsibility to look beyond the surface and to seek the truth about the prisoner's life and actions.
The third line of the stanza is a repetition of the fourth line of the first stanza, with the prisoner again asking for "more light." This repetition reinforces the idea that the prisoner is seeking justice and accountability, even in death.
The fourth line of the stanza is a plea for the truth to be revealed, as the prisoner asks the judges to "let him speak." This plea is significant, as it suggests that the prisoner has information that could shed light on the atrocities committed during the war, and that he is willing to share this information, even at the cost of his own life.
The fifth line of the stanza is a call for justice, as the prisoner asks the judges to "let him know the truth." This line is significant, as it suggests that the prisoner is not just seeking justice for himself, but also for others who have suffered at the hands of the executioner.
The final line of the poem is a powerful and haunting image of the prisoner's body "swinging in the dark." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that even in death, the prisoner is still seeking the truth and seeking justice.
In conclusion, More Light! More Light! is a powerful and haunting poem that reflects on the horrors of war and the brutality of human nature. It is a reflection on the atrocities committed during the Second World War, particularly the Holocaust, and the need for justice and accountability. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines, and is a powerful and graphic depiction of the brutality of war. It is a call for justice and a plea for the truth to be revealed, even in death.
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