Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "The Story of Joshua" reinterprets the biblical narrative of Joshua and the conquest of Canaan, exploring the moral complexities and contradictions inherent in divine commands for violence and the pursuit of a promised land. The poem engages deeply with themes of power, divine authority, moral ambiguity, and the loss of innocence, presenting a sobering reflection on the cost of obedience and conquest.

The poem opens with an epigraph from Cotton Mather's "The Wonders of the Invisible World," a text associated with the Puritan witch trials in New England. Mather’s assertion that "The New Englanders are a people of God settled in those which were once the devil's territories" sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the justification of violent conquest in the name of divine will. This epigraph also draws a parallel between the Puritans’ sense of mission in the New World and the biblical story of Joshua, suggesting that both narratives involve the displacement and destruction of native peoples under the guise of religious righteousness.

The poem then shifts to the perspective of Joshua, who, after leading the Israelites for forty years, reaches the promised land. The transition from slavery to seasoned soldiers, and the abundance of wealth, conveys a sense of fulfillment and triumph: "The original ones who were slaves / Have died / The young are seasoned soldiers / There is wealth enough for everyone and God / Here at our side, the people / Are mad with excitement." However, this excitement is tempered by the realization that the land they have reached is already inhabited, and taking it requires violence and destruction.

God’s command to Joshua is stark and brutal: "Burn their villages and cities / Kill their men / Kill their women / Consume the people utterly." The repetition of "kill" and the phrase "consume the people utterly" emphasize the totality of the destruction demanded. This command strips away any pretense of morality or mercy, presenting conquest as a ruthless act of annihilation. The tone is almost clinical, reflecting the dehumanization of the inhabitants of the land.

The poem then delves into the moral implications of this divine command. God acknowledges the moral weight of the actions Joshua and his people are about to undertake: "You will be a nation / Like other nations, / Your hands are going to be stained like theirs / Your innocence annihilated." This acknowledgment of the loss of innocence reveals a deep awareness of the moral corruption that accompanies such acts of violence. God’s words suggest that the Israelites, in their quest for the promised land, will become like the nations they conquer—violent, stained, and morally compromised.

However, God also imparts a unique responsibility to Joshua and his people: "Only to you among the nations / Do I also give knowledge / The secret / Knowledge that you are doing evil." This "secret knowledge" serves as a curse as much as a gift, burdening Joshua with the awareness that his actions, though divinely sanctioned, are inherently evil. This knowledge distinguishes the Israelites from other nations, placing upon them a heavier moral burden.

The poem then introduces the commandment to "Love ye therefore the stranger, for you were / Strangers in the land of Egypt," which stands in stark contrast to the earlier command to annihilate. This duality highlights the paradox of divine instruction: the same God who commands destruction also commands love and compassion for the stranger, reflecting the Israelites' own history of suffering and displacement. The "pillar / Of fire to light your passage / Through the blank desert of history forever" symbolizes both guidance and the enduring burden of these contradictory commands. It suggests that the Israelites are destined to carry the weight of their actions and the knowledge of their moral transgressions through history.

In the poem's final lines, Joshua affirms his understanding of the divine command: "Is it entirely / Clear, Joshua, / Said the Lord. / I said it was. / He then commanded me / To destroy Jericho." This conclusion underscores the inevitability of obedience, despite the moral clarity and heavy burden it imposes. Joshua’s response—"I said it was"—is resigned, indicating his acceptance of the command, even as he understands its moral implications.

"The Story of Joshua" is a profound exploration of the moral complexities of conquest and the contradictions within divine authority. Through the voice of Joshua, Ostriker confronts the reader with the harsh realities of history, where the pursuit of a promised land or divine mission often comes at the cost of innocence, morality, and the lives of others. The poem challenges the reader to grapple with these contradictions and consider the lasting impact of such actions on both the conquerors and the conquered.

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