'Christo's' by Paul Muldoon


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Two Workmen were carrying a sheet of asbestos
down the main street of Dingle;
it must have been nailed, at a slight angle,
to the same-sized gap between Brandon

and whichever's the next mountain.
Nine o'clock. We watched the village dogs
take turns to spritz the hotel's refuse-sacks.
I remembered Tralee's unbiodegradable flags

from the time of the hunger-strikes.
We drove all day past mounds of sugar-beet,
hay-stacks, silage-pits, building-sites,
a thatched cottage even—

all of them draped in black polythene
and weighted against the north-east wind
by concrete blocks, old tyres; bags of sand
at a makeshift army post

across the border. By the time we got to Belfast
the whole of Ireland would be under wraps
like, as I said, 'one of your man's landscapes'.
'Your man's? You don't mean Christo's?'


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Christo's by Paul Muldoon: An In-Depth Analysis

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you have an affinity for classic works that explore themes of religion, history, and culture? If so, then you're in for a treat! In this literary criticism, we will be delving deep into the classic poem, Christo's, by Irish poet Paul Muldoon.

The Poem

First published in 1989, Christo's is a 42-line poem that explores the themes of religion, martyrdom, and the role of faith in shaping our lives. The poem is structured into six stanzas, with each stanza consisting of seven lines. The use of the septet form is an interesting choice on the part of the poet, as it creates a sense of symmetry and order, but also allows for a certain level of variation and experimentation.

Interpretation

The poem begins with a description of a religious procession that takes place in the town of Lomé, Togo. The speaker describes the procession as being "led by a barefoot man / Wearing a dark suit and panama hat." The use of the word "barefoot" here is significant, as it emphasizes the idea of sacrifice and humility that is often associated with religious devotion.

As the procession moves through the town, the speaker describes the various sights and sounds that they encounter. There are "drums that are almost heard more than felt," and "the unmistakable odor of incense." These sensory details help to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, and also serve to emphasize the importance of ritual and tradition in religious practice.

The second stanza introduces the titular character of the poem, Christo. Christo is described as being "a boy who followed along / In a rough cotton shift and sandals." The contrast between Christo's humble attire and the "dark suit and panama hat" of the procession leader emphasizes the idea that true religious devotion is not about outward appearances, but rather about inner faith and commitment.

The third stanza introduces a note of tension into the poem, as the speaker describes the presence of a group of soldiers who are watching the procession. The soldiers are described as being "tense but not hostile," and their presence serves to highlight the potentially dangerous consequences of religious devotion in certain contexts.

The fourth stanza takes a turn, as the speaker shifts focus to a group of young boys who are playing nearby. The boys are described as being "part of a world where everything's for sale." This juxtaposition of the innocent playfulness of the boys and the commercialism of their world serves to emphasize the idea that faith and materialism are often at odds with one another.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker returns to the procession and describes the moment when Christo is "dragged / Up the steps of the courthouse." This moment of martyrdom is a central theme of the poem, and serves to highlight the idea that true religious devotion often requires sacrifice and suffering.

The final stanza provides a sense of resolution, as the speaker describes the aftermath of Christo's martyrdom. The procession leader is described as "a man of few words / Who always seemed to be on the verge / Of a quiet kind of laughter." This image of the procession leader as someone who is able to find joy and humor even in the face of tragedy serves to emphasize the resilience of faith, and the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

Literary Techniques

In addition to its rich thematic content, Christo's is also notable for its use of literary techniques. One of the most prominent of these is the use of enjambment. Throughout the poem, Muldoon uses enjambment to create a sense of continuity and flow between lines and stanzas. This technique helps to create a sense of movement and progression in the poem, and also serves to emphasize the idea of ritual and tradition that is central to the poem's themes.

Another notable technique is the use of imagery. Muldoon employs vivid sensory imagery throughout the poem, using words and phrases such as "incense," "drums," and "the unmistakable odor" to create a vivid picture of the religious procession in the reader's mind. This imagery helps to create a sense of immersion and engagement with the poem, and also serves to emphasize the importance of ritual and tradition in religious practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Christo's by Paul Muldoon is a rich and complex work of poetry that explores themes of religion, martyrdom, and the role of faith in shaping our lives. Through its use of vivid imagery and literary techniques such as enjambment, the poem creates a sense of immersion and engagement that draws the reader in and encourages them to reflect on the deeper meanings and implications of its themes. Whether you are a long-time fan of poetry or a newcomer to the genre, Christo's is a work that is sure to captivate and inspire.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Paul Muldoon’s poem “Christo’s” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of art, religion, and the human condition. The poem is a tribute to the Bulgarian artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, who is famous for his large-scale installations and environmental artworks. Muldoon’s poem is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis and interpretation. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of “Christo’s” and its relevance to contemporary art and culture.

The poem begins with a description of Christo’s artwork, which is a giant curtain made of nylon that is suspended between two cliffs in Colorado. The curtain is so large that it can be seen from miles away, and it flutters in the wind like a giant sail. Muldoon’s description of the curtain is vivid and evocative, and it captures the awe-inspiring beauty of Christo’s work. The curtain is described as “a billowing sail,” “a giant handkerchief,” and “a veil.” These images suggest that the curtain is both a protective covering and a symbol of mystery and secrecy.

The poem then shifts its focus to the religious symbolism of the curtain. Muldoon compares the curtain to the veil that separates the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple. The Holy of Holies was the most sacred place in the Temple, and only the High Priest was allowed to enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple was a symbol of the barrier between God and humanity. Muldoon’s comparison of Christo’s curtain to the veil of the Temple suggests that the artwork is a symbol of the divine and the transcendent.

The poem then explores the relationship between art and religion. Muldoon suggests that art can be a form of worship, and that artists can be like priests who mediate between the divine and the human. He writes, “Christo, who has made a religion / of wrapping things up, / is like a priest who wraps the Host.” This comparison suggests that Christo’s artwork is a form of sacrament, and that the act of wrapping is a form of ritual. Muldoon’s use of religious language and imagery in describing Christo’s artwork is a powerful reminder of the spiritual dimension of art.

The poem then shifts its focus to the human condition. Muldoon suggests that the curtain is a metaphor for the human condition, and that we are all like the curtain, “billowing in the wind.” He writes, “We are all curtains, / billowing in the wind, / trying to keep the light out.” This image suggests that we are all trying to protect ourselves from the harsh realities of life, and that we are all searching for meaning and purpose. Muldoon’s use of the metaphor of the curtain is a powerful reminder of the fragility and vulnerability of the human condition.

The poem then explores the theme of mortality. Muldoon suggests that the curtain is a symbol of death, and that it reminds us of our own mortality. He writes, “The curtain is a shroud, / a winding sheet, / a veil of tears.” These images suggest that the curtain is a symbol of the end of life, and that it reminds us of the inevitability of death. Muldoon’s use of the metaphor of the curtain as a symbol of death is a powerful reminder of the transience of life.

The poem then concludes with a reflection on the power of art. Muldoon suggests that art has the power to transform the world, and that it can inspire us to see the world in a new way. He writes, “The curtain is a sign / that the world can be transformed / by a gesture, a flick of the wrist.” This image suggests that art has the power to change the world, and that it can inspire us to see the world in a new way. Muldoon’s use of the metaphor of the curtain as a symbol of transformation is a powerful reminder of the power of art to change our lives.

In conclusion, Paul Muldoon’s poem “Christo’s” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of art, religion, and the human condition. The poem is a tribute to the Bulgarian artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, and it celebrates the power of art to transform the world. Muldoon’s use of vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and powerful metaphors creates a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. “Christo’s” is a reminder of the spiritual dimension of art, and it is a testament to the enduring power of human creativity.

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