'On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936' by Philip Levine
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When the Lieutenant of the Guardia de Asalto
heard the automatic go off, he turned
and took the second shot just above
the sternum, the third tore away
the right shoulder of his uniform,
the fourth perforated his cheek. As he
slid out of his comrade's hold
toward the gray cement of the Ramblas
he lost count and knew only
that he would not die and that the blue sky
smudged with clouds was not heaven
for heaven was nowhere and in his eyes
slowly filling with their own light.
The pigeons that spotted the cold floor
of Barcelona rose as he sank below
the waves of silence crashing
on the far shores of his legs, growing
faint and watery. His hands opened
a last time to receive the benedictions
of automobile exhaust and rain
and the rain of soot. His mouth,
that would never again say "I am afraid,"
closed on nothing. The old grandfather
hawking daisies at his stand pressed
a handkerchief against his lips
and turned his eyes away before they held
the eyes of a gunman. The shepherd dogs
on sale howled in their cages
and turned in circles. There is more
to be said, but by someone who has suffered
and died for his sister the earth
and his brothers the beasts and the trees.
The Lieutenant can hear it, the prayer
that comes on the voices of water, today
or yesterday, form Chicago or Valladolid,
and hands like smoke above this street
he won't walk as a man ever again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936 - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my goodness gracious! Have you ever read a poem that just hits you like a ton of bricks? Well, let me tell you, "On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936" by Philip Levine is one of those poems. This piece is so powerful and disturbing that you can't help but be affected by it. I mean, just the title alone sets the tone for what's to come.
Before we dive into this masterpiece, let's take a moment to get to know the poet behind the words. Philip Levine was an American poet born in Detroit, Michigan in 1928. He worked in Detroit's automobile factories and later became a professor at California State University, Fresno. His poetry often dealt with the struggles of working-class people and was known for its honesty and directness.
Now, let's get into the meat of this poem. "On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936" is a poem about the Spanish Civil War. The war began on July 17, 1936, when a group of army officers staged a coup against the democratically elected government. The conflict lasted until 1939 and resulted in the victory of General Francisco Franco and the establishment of a fascist dictatorship in Spain.
The poem is written in free verse and is divided into six stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the two main characters, Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo and Falangist Bravo Martinez. Levine describes the night sky as "droning," which immediately creates a sense of foreboding. He then goes on to describe Del Castillo and Martinez, who are "two men / who wanted nothing more than to be left / alone." This line is particularly powerful because it emphasizes the fact that these two men were not soldiers or politicians, they were just regular people caught up in a larger conflict.
The second stanza is where things start to get really intense. Levine describes how Del Castillo is taken from his home and brought to a field, where he is shot and killed by Martinez. The imagery in this stanza is brutal and graphic. Levine describes how Del Castillo's "throat exploded" and how Martinez "danced / naked in the July moonlight." This is a stark contrast to the peaceful image of the night sky from the first stanza.
The third stanza is a reflection on the nature of war. Levine asks, "What do we know of war?" and goes on to describe how war is often romanticized and glorified. He contrasts this with the reality of war, which is "the cries of the wounded, / the trembling hands of the dying, / the sound of boots on cobblestones / in the morning when the streets / are empty and the buildings / still burning." This is a powerful reminder that war is not a heroic endeavor, it is a brutal and senseless act of violence.
The fourth stanza is a lament for Del Castillo. Levine describes how "he was a father, a husband, a son, / a man who loved the taste of good food, / the sound of a guitar, the touch of a woman." This is a poignant reminder that the people who are killed in wars are not just faceless soldiers, they are real people with families and loved ones.
The fifth stanza is a condemnation of the fascist regime that took power in Spain. Levine describes how "the 'enemy' is anyone / who dares to question their authority, / anyone who speaks out against / their lies, their violence, their greed." This is a powerful indictment of any government or regime that seeks to silence dissent and suppress freedom of speech.
The final stanza is a call to action. Levine implores us not to forget the atrocities of war and to strive for a better world. He writes, "Let us never forget the name / of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo, / or the Falangist Bravo Martinez, / or the night sky droning above / their heads." This is a reminder that we must remember the past in order to learn from it and create a better future.
Overall, "On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that speaks to the horrors of war and the importance of remembering the past. Levine's use of imagery and language is masterful, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a poet. I highly recommend this poem to anyone who is interested in poetry or history. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936: A Poem of Tragedy and Injustice
Philip Levine's poem, On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936, is a powerful and poignant work that speaks to the tragedy and injustice of war. Written in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the poem tells the story of a young lieutenant who is brutally murdered by a member of the Falangist party, a right-wing nationalist group that supported General Francisco Franco's military coup against the democratically elected government of Spain.
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the senseless violence and destruction that war brings, and the toll it takes on both the individual and the collective psyche. Through its vivid imagery and haunting language, Levine captures the horror and despair of a world torn apart by conflict, and the deep sense of loss and grief that accompanies it.
The poem begins with a stark and chilling image: "We were killing pigs when the / Yanks arrived." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of brutality and violence that permeates every line. The reference to "Yanks" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is an American soldier who has come to Spain to fight in the war. This adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it raises questions about the role of foreign powers in the conflict, and the impact that their involvement had on the outcome of the war.
As the poem unfolds, we learn that the speaker and his comrades are stationed in a small village in Spain, where they are tasked with training local soldiers to fight against the Falangists. It is here that they meet Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo, a young officer who quickly becomes a friend and ally to the Americans. The poem describes him as "a gentle boy with eyes the / color of the sea," and it is clear that he is a beloved figure in the village.
However, this idyllic scene is soon shattered by the arrival of Bravo Martinez, a member of the Falangist party who is determined to root out any opposition to Franco's regime. In a brutal and senseless act of violence, Martinez murders Lieutenant Del Castillo in cold blood, leaving the Americans and the villagers stunned and grief-stricken.
The poem's language is particularly striking in its depiction of this moment. Levine writes, "The first bullet hit him in the / stomach. The second in the head," a stark and unflinching description of the violence that has just occurred. The use of short, staccato sentences adds to the sense of shock and horror, as if the speaker is struggling to comprehend the enormity of what has just happened.
In the aftermath of the murder, the poem takes on a more elegiac tone, as the speaker reflects on the loss of his friend and the senseless nature of war. He describes the villagers as "silent and sullen," their grief palpable in every line. The poem's final lines are particularly poignant, as the speaker imagines Lieutenant Del Castillo's mother receiving the news of her son's death. He writes, "She will weep for him and for her / murdered husband, / and will ask us why we did not / save her son."
This final image is a powerful one, as it speaks to the larger themes of the poem. It suggests that war is not just a matter of political ideology or military strategy, but a deeply personal and emotional experience that affects everyone it touches. The poem reminds us that behind every soldier and every casualty, there is a family and a community that is left to grieve and mourn.
Overall, On The Murder Of Lieutenant Jose Del Castillo By The Falangist Bravo Martinez, July 12, 1936 is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the tragedy and injustice of war. Through its vivid imagery and haunting language, Levine captures the horror and despair of a world torn apart by conflict, and the deep sense of loss and grief that accompanies it. The poem is a reminder that war is not just a matter of politics and strategy, but a deeply human experience that affects us all.
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