Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Heroics" by Elinor Wylie, the speaker reflects on the nature of heroism and sacrifice, presenting a critical view of those who assume heroic roles or identities, especially when such roles are marked by suffering and endurance that ultimately lack true nobility. Through stark imagery and philosophical questioning, Wylie explores the disconnect between the glorification of suffering for a greater cause and the reality that such heroics are often steeped in moral ambiguity and even futility.

The poem opens with a suggestion that true heroism, marked by “iron thread” and resilience, has become increasingly rare. The line “Though here and there a man is left / Whose iron thread eludes the shears” evokes the image of an unbreakable spirit, someone whose resolve or strength cannot be easily cut or undone. However, the speaker swiftly turns to the martyr, whose sacrifice is not lasting or celebrated but marked by death and decay, as evidenced in “The martyr with his bosom cleft / Is dead these seven heavy years.” The passage of time—seven years—implies that martyrdom, once celebrated, has faded into history, its significance diminished with the passage of time. The martyr's sacrifice, once thought to embody courage or righteousness, seems now to be a forgotten or irrelevant act.

The speaker then shifts focus to an individual whose tongue was cut out, likely as a form of punishment or silencing. The line “Does he survive whose tongue was slit, / To slake some envy of a king's?” suggests that this person, who may have spoken against authority or questioned the king, was punished not for any inherent wrong but out of political or personal envy. The image of “sportive silver cried from it” implies that the martyr, perhaps a whistleblower or dissenter, had once spoken truth or criticism that was precious but ultimately silenced by force. The “savage” cutting of the tongue, removing the ability to speak, reinforces the theme of oppression and the harsh realities of heroism—especially when it is born from envy, fear, or tyrannical rule.

The next few lines reflect on the physical toll of heroism, symbolized by the imagery of the rack, a medieval torture device used to stretch a person’s body beyond its limits. “The rack has crumpled up the limb / Stretched immediate to fly;” This image suggests that the martyr, or hero, is punished not for any noble cause but for their resistance or defiance, their attempts to break free or stand up against the status quo. The “stubborn to outstare the sky” line evokes the unyielding defiance of an individual facing overwhelming oppression, yet despite the hero’s resolve, they remain subject to the cruelty of their circumstances. It is implied that the martyrdom and suffering do not lead to any ultimate victory but rather remain as tragic, futile acts in the face of systemic cruelty.

In the poem's second half, Wylie critiques the posthumous glorification of such suffering. The martyr, or the "hero," who once stood defiantly, “Assuming an heroic mask,” is now seen as little more than an empty symbol. “He stands a tall derisive tree,” evokes the image of a figure that looms over history, not with true grandeur or nobility, but as a mockery of heroism, stripped of its deeper meaning. In contrast, the masses—“servile to the speckled task”—continue to live in a state of devotion but are also stuck in menial, repetitive work, bending in subjugation while falsely revering the martyr’s suffering. The contrast between the supposed hero and the obedient followers is stark: one is celebrated as a figure of resistance, but the other is reduced to servitude, all in the name of honor or virtue.

Finally, the speaker suggests that it is a fault, rather than a virtue, to engage in this sort of suffering, which is more a consequence of oppression than a noble pursuit: “It is no virtue, but a fault / Thus to breathe ignoble air.” The notion of “breathing ignoble air” critiques the acceptance of suffering and oppression as virtuous, drawing attention to the ways in which individuals and societies perpetuate ideals of heroism that are actually tainted by unclean suffering. The image of “suffering unclean assault / And insult dubious to bear” further emphasizes that the heroic suffering associated with martyrdom is often not pure or virtuous, but sullied by political motivations, oppression, or even abuse.

In "Heroics," Wylie critiques the romanticized notion of martyrdom and heroic suffering. The poem offers a sobering view of what heroism often entails—pain, punishment, and the ultimate futility of such sacrifices, especially when motivated by forces of envy, cruelty, or tyranny. Rather than elevating the hero to a figure of eternal glory, Wylie suggests that such heroism may ultimately be a facade, a mask worn by those who endure suffering but whose sacrifices fail to bring about true change or redemption. Through vivid, often brutal imagery, the poem reflects on the moral and existential questions surrounding the nature of heroism and sacrifice.

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