Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Christian Scientist I Love" by Alan Dugan is a portrait of a complex character whose personal philosophy and experiences are deeply intertwined with her emotional resilience. Through this poem, Dugan explores themes of personal struggle, societal expectations, and the paradoxical nature of human behavior, especially concerning coping mechanisms and appearances.

The poem introduces a woman who is "Proud, full of sense in nervous instances," highlighting her ability to remain composed and rational under stress. Her laughter and her actions, such as "walking laughing on the tricky cliffs" and "bathing in gasps and sound advice," suggest a person who confronts life's dangers and uncertainties with a fearless, perhaps reckless, demeanor. These activities also metaphorically represent navigating life's precarious situations with apparent ease and humor.

Dugan describes her as being socially active and engaging—"spry and popular at the dances," indicating her vitality and charm. The mention of "split the pints and sampled the fifths" further paints her as someone who fully participates in life’s pleasures but "never at all succumbed to vice," suggesting she maintains control over her indulgences, at least in public perception.

However, the poem quickly introduces a contradiction. Despite her lively and controlled exterior, there is a hint of detachment or disconnection from others, as evidenced by friends who found her "aloof" despite her engaging nature. This aspect of her personality suggests a deeper, perhaps hidden layer of emotional distance or self-preservation.

The narrative takes a dark turn with the mention of her boyfriend, who is described as "handsome, dumb, but swell" and focused on "proper ends." His eventual marriage to someone else triggers a drastic action from the woman—she attempts suicide by jumping off a roof. This act starkly contrasts with her earlier portrayal, revealing the profound impact of personal loss and unmet emotional needs, which were masked by her outward stability and cheerfulness.

Miraculously, she survives the suicide attempt and continues to maintain her facade of laughter, now marked by a physical reminder of her trauma—a limp. Dugan's choice to highlight that she "never cried but always talked, married quickly and kept the bottle corked" underscores her continued effort to control her emotions and maintain appearances. The phrase "kept the bottle corked" metaphorically suggests her suppression of deeper, unresolved feelings which she chooses not to express openly.

Through this poem, Dugan crafts a narrative that challenges the reader to consider the complexities behind a seemingly cheerful and resilient exterior. The Christian Scientist's approach to life, possibly influenced by her religious or philosophical beliefs, involves a strong emphasis on mental control and denial of physical and emotional pain. Her story is a poignant commentary on the human capacity for endurance but also the potential dangers of ignoring or suppressing one's deeper emotional truths. This poem serves as a reflection on the delicate balance between facing life's challenges head-on and the need for genuine emotional expression and healing.

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