Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mary in Old Age: 1. Mary's House" by David Ferry is a poignant and contemplative poem that delves into the interior life of Mary in her later years, exploring themes of solitude, reflection, and the enigmatic nature of existence. The poem juxtaposes an epigraph from William Wordsworth, which speaks to the mystical and transcendent aspects of Mary's being, with a more grounded and somber portrayal of her current state.

The poem begins with an epigraph from Wordsworth, setting a tone of reverence and mysticism: "Yet— though dread Powers, that work in mystery, spin / Entanglings of the brain; though shadows stretch / O'er the chilled heart-reflect; far, far within, / Hers is a holy Being, freed from Sin." This introduction posits Mary as a figure who, despite the complexities and challenges of existence ("Entanglings of the brain"), remains a "holy Being, freed from Sin," suggesting a spiritual elevation and purity that transcends the typical human experience.

Transitioning from the epigraph to Ferry's own lines, the poem presents a stark contrast in tone and imagery: "Mary's House / The bruised eyes and diffused radiant face, anger and joy fused in a question, / by what possible measure contained?" This depiction of Mary, with "bruised eyes" and an expression where "anger and joy" are fused, paints a portrait of a woman bearing the marks of a long life, filled with both suffering and moments of brightness. The phrase "by what possible measure contained?" highlights the difficulty of comprehending or containing such a complex emotional existence within the confines of one person.

Ferry further explores the theme of inner turmoil and unanswered questions with the line: "A skull's blood beating entirely uninstructed against / whatever the world withheld against the answer." Here, Mary's internal struggles are depicted as almost primal—the blood in her skull beats without guidance, symbolizing a raw, instinctual reaction to the unknowns and the uncertainties that life has not resolved.

The imagery becomes even more vivid and metaphorical as the poem concludes: "Nobody knew the answer. / The trees' dark bodies pressed up against the house, like night by day, how like a night by night." This description of the external environment, with trees pressing darkly against her house, mirrors the internal darkness and the pressing weight of unresolved questions and emotions within Mary. The comparison of day to night and night to night suggests a blurring of distinctions between light and darkness, symbolizing perhaps the fading clarity of old age or the continual presence of somber thoughts.

Overall, "Mary in Old Age: 1. Mary's House" offers a deep and layered exploration of an aged figure grappling with the accumulated weight of life’s experiences. David Ferry masterfully uses vivid, symbolic imagery to convey the complexity of Mary's emotional landscape, juxtaposing spiritual transcendence with the visceral realities of aging and existential reflection. The poem invites readers to contemplate the inner life of a character who is both sanctified and profoundly human, living in a world where answers are as elusive as they are sought after.

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