Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Amorosa and Company" by Conrad Aiken is a dramatic and emotionally charged poem that delves into themes of jealousy, rivalry, and the bitter feelings of an aging performer towards a younger rival. The poem provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of performance and competition, set in what appears to be a theatrical or dance setting.

The poem begins with a description of "Amorosa," presumably the narrator or the main character, who is characterized by her confident and commanding presence on stage. The image of her "in a casket of light, / In the jet velvet blackness" suggests her prominence and allure as a performer. The python coiling around her "cool" arms symbolizes both the allure and potential danger of her persona.

However, the focus quickly shifts to a younger performer, a "Russian upstart" who captures the audience's attention with her energetic and flamboyant dancing. The narrator's disdain for this younger dancer is evident in the description of her movements as "affected" and "foolish." The use of phrases like "ridiculous dances" and "perking her rat's head sideways" further illustrates the narrator's contempt and jealousy.

The narrator's jealousy is compounded by the attention the young dancer receives, not only from the audience but also from the men in the company, including the narrator's own husband. The mention of her husband's infatuation with the younger dancer hints at personal betrayal and deepens the narrator's resentment.

The scene where the young dancer receives a box of roses is particularly poignant, symbolizing the shift in favor and admiration from the narrator to her rival. The narrator's internal struggle and the temptation to publicly humiliate the younger dancer reveal the depth of her bitterness.

The final lines of the poem, "She wondered if her strength would fail her, sometimes; / And if, instead of smiling, when the girl / Was given an encore (taking her hand to share it), / She'd suddenly burst out laughing and slap her face," highlight the narrator's internal conflict between maintaining a professional facade and giving in to her anger and envy.

The closing image of the narrator staring at her "red mirrored eyes" and acknowledging that she is "getting old" is a powerful commentary on the challenges of aging, especially in a profession where youth and beauty are highly valued. The poem concludes with a sense of unresolved tension and the narrator's painful awareness of her changing place in the world of performance.

In "Amorosa and Company," Conrad Aiken captures the complex emotions of an aging performer grappling with the inevitable passage of time and the rise of a younger generation. Through vivid imagery and a strong narrative voice, Aiken explores themes of envy, aging, and the transient nature of fame and admiration in the competitive world of performance.

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