'They Feed They Lion' by Philip Levine

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Out of burlap sacks, out of bearing butter,
Out of black bean and wet slate bread,
Out of the acids of rage, the candor of tar,
Out of creosote, gasoline, drive shafts, wooden dollies,
They Lion grow.Out of the gray hills
Of industrial barns, out of rain, out of bus ride,West Virginia to Kiss My Ass, out of buried aunties,
Mothers hardening like pounded stumps, out of stumps,
Out of the bones' need to sharpen and the muscles' to stretch,
They Lion grow.Earth is eating trees, fence posts,
Gutted cars, earth is calling in her little ones,"Come home, Come home!" From pig balls,
From the ferocity of pig driven to holiness,
From the furred ear and the full jowl come
The repose of the hung belly, from the purpose
They Lion grow.From the sweet glues of the trotters
Come the sweet kinks of the fist, from the full flower
Of the hams the thorax of caves,
From "Bow Down" come "Rise Up,"
Come they Lion from the reeds of shovels,The grained arm that pulls the hands,
They Lion grow.From my five arms and all my hands,
From all my white sins forgiven, they feed,From my car passing under the stars,
They Lion, from my children inherit,From the oak turned to a wall, they Lion,
From they sack and they belly opened
And all that was hidden burning on the oil-stained earthThey feed they Lion and he comes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

They Feed They Lion: A Critical Analysis

Philip Levine's poem, "They Feed They Lion" is a powerful piece of literature that leaves its readers with a sense of urgency and anxiety. The poem, which was first published in 1968, speaks to the social and political turmoil of the time and offers a biting critique of American society. In this critical analysis, we'll explore the themes, language, and structure of the poem to understand its message and impact.

Themes

At its core, "They Feed They Lion" is a poem about violence and oppression. The titular "lion" in the poem represents the forces of evil that prey upon the weak and vulnerable. The poem is full of apocalyptic imagery that speaks to the sense of impending doom and destruction that pervaded the late 1960s. The lion is described as "ravenous," "rampant," and "unstoppable," suggesting that it is a force to be reckoned with.

Beyond its critique of violence and oppression, the poem also speaks to the idea of collective responsibility. In the poem, the lion is not simply a metaphor for a singular evil force, but rather a representation of the collective sins of American society. The repeated refrain of "they feed they lion" suggests that all members of society are complicit in the perpetuation of violence and oppression. The poem suggests that we must reckon with our shared responsibility if we are to effect real change.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of "They Feed They Lion" is its use of language. The poem is full of vivid, visceral images that evoke a sense of chaos and destruction. Levine uses repetition to create a sense of urgency and to drive home his message. The repeated refrain of "they feed they lion" is both haunting and powerful, suggesting that the forces of evil are constantly being nourished and strengthened.

The poem is also notable for its use of sound. The alliterative "f" sounds in the line "fierce the sun's eye" and the repeated "th" sounds in "they feed they lion" create a sense of tension and unease. The poem's language is visceral and raw, evoking a sense of violence and brutality.

Structure

"They Feed They Lion" is a free verse poem with no regular rhyme or meter. However, the poem does have a clear structure. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The stanzas vary in length from three lines to twelve lines, with the longest stanza in the middle of the poem. This structure creates a sense of momentum and builds to a climax in the middle of the poem.

The repetition of the phrase "they feed they lion" also creates a sense of structure and unity. The phrase appears at the end of each stanza, serving as an anchor and a reminder of the poem's central theme. The repetition also creates a sense of momentum, driving the poem forward and building to a powerful conclusion.

Interpretation

"They Feed They Lion" is a powerful poem that speaks to the violence and oppression that pervaded American society in the late 1960s. The poem is a call to action, urging its readers to reckon with their shared responsibility and work towards change. The poem's language and structure create a sense of urgency and anxiety, evoking a visceral response in its readers.

The poem's use of the lion as a metaphor for evil is particularly effective. The lion is a powerful symbol of strength and ferocity, suggesting that the forces of evil are not easily defeated. The repeated refrain of "they feed they lion" suggests that these forces are being constantly nourished and strengthened, making them even more dangerous.

Ultimately, "They Feed They Lion" is a poem about the power of collective action. The repeated refrain of "we must" suggests that change is possible, but only if we work together. The poem is a call to arms, urging its readers to take action and work towards a better future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "They Feed They Lion" is a powerful and impactful poem that speaks to the violence and oppression that pervaded American society in the late 1960s. The poem's use of language, structure, and metaphor create a sense of urgency and anxiety, evoking a powerful response in its readers. Ultimately, the poem is a call to action, urging its readers to work together towards a better future.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a powerful tool that can be used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. One such poem that stands out in this regard is "They Feed They Lion" by Philip Levine. This classic piece of literature is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the struggles of the working class and the injustices they face. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Out of burlap sacks, out of bearing butter," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of burlap sacks and bearing butter suggests a sense of poverty and hardship, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The next line, "Out of black bean and wet slate bread," further emphasizes this point, as it suggests a lack of resources and a reliance on basic, inexpensive food items.

As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly violent and chaotic. The line "Out of the acids of rage, the candor of tar," suggests a sense of anger and frustration that is boiling over. The use of the word "tar" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of stickiness and entrapment, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they describe a scene of chaos and destruction. The lines "Out of the creosote, gasoline, drive shafts, wooden dollies," suggest a sense of industrialization and the destruction of nature. The use of the word "dollies" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of innocence and vulnerability that is being destroyed by the forces of industry.

As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly surreal and dreamlike. The line "Out of the gray hills" suggests a sense of desolation and emptiness, while the line "Out of the cruel fathers" suggests a sense of abuse and neglect. The use of the word "cruel" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of intentional harm and malice.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they suggest a sense of hopelessness and despair. The lines "Out of the empty tomb, out of frightful sacrifice" suggest a sense of death and sacrifice, while the line "Out of the dense sarcasm of the weak" suggests a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability. The final line of the poem, "They feed they Lion and he comes," suggests a sense of inevitability and powerlessness, as if the forces of destruction are unstoppable and inevitable.

Overall, "They Feed They Lion" is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the struggles of the working class and the injustices they face. The use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of chaos and destruction that is both visceral and emotional. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of poetry as a tool for social commentary and political activism, and it remains a classic piece of literature that continues to inspire and provoke readers to this day.

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