Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Assassination of John F. Kennedy" by Gwendolyn Brooks is a poignant reflection on the profound impact of the tragic event that shook America and the world. Through her evocative language and imagery, Brooks captures the collective grief and the unsettling aftermath of the assassination of a leader who was widely regarded as a symbol of hope, progress, and kindness. The poem delves into the emotional and existential turmoil that ensues when such a figure is suddenly removed, leaving a void filled with confusion, sorrow, and a reevaluation of the world's assumed order.

Brooks begins the poem with a quote from Senator Mansfield, describing Kennedy as "this Good, this Decent, this Kindly man," immediately establishing the tone of reverence and loss that pervades the piece. This introduction sets the stage for a lamentation not only of a person but of the ideals and potential that he embodied. The assassination is presented not just as the loss of a leader but as a moment that challenges the very foundations of collective identity and hope.

The phrase "I hear things crying in the world" captures the universal scope of mourning, suggesting a global community united in its grief and disbelief. Brooks personifies the world's response to Kennedy's death, describing it as a "nightmare congress of obscure / Delirium," which conveys the chaos and confusion that followed the assassination. The use of the word "congress" subtly alludes to political gatherings, thereby intertwining the personal and political dimensions of the tragedy.

The "tilt and jangle of this death" is a recurring line that evokes the disorientation and upheaval caused by Kennedy's assassination. The imagery suggests a world off-balance, its harmony disrupted by a sudden and violent act. This line, repeated throughout the poem, serves as a refrain that emphasizes the ongoing struggle to comprehend and come to terms with the magnitude of the loss.

Brooks's depiction of Kennedy as someone "Who had a sense of world and man, / Who had an apt and antic grace" highlights his unique blend of political acumen, humanity, and charisma. The contrast between his dynamic presence and his being "lenient, lapsed and large beneath" the weight of his untimely death underscores the irrevocable loss of his leadership and vision.

The final stanza reflects on the aftermath of the assassination, suggesting a return to the status quo with "Its reasoned, right and only code." This line hints at the resilience or perhaps the indifference of societal structures, which continue unchanged even in the face of profound loss. The mention of "military faith" suggests a critique of the systems that persist, unaltered by the ideals Kennedy represented, coaxing "The tilt and jangle of this death" into a narrative that can be managed or contained.

In "The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," Gwendolyn Brooks offers a deeply moving meditation on the impact of loss, both personal and collective, and the challenge of finding meaning in a world that seems to insist on moving forward, despite the "tilt and jangle" of such profound disruptions. Through her masterful use of language and imagery, Brooks captures the essence of a moment that continues to resonate in the collective memory, exploring the tension between the ideals embodied by Kennedy and the realities of the world he left behind.

POEM TEXT: https://folkways-media.si.edu/docs/folkways/artwork/FW09721.pdf

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