Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s poem "Hypocrisy" delves into the complex interplay between sacredness and the mundane, the inner struggles of individuals, and the facades people maintain in public. Through vivid imagery and reflective narrative, the poem explores themes of authenticity, self-deception, and the human condition.

The poem opens with a stark contrast: "Out of the same paints and objects that make up the bazaar around a cathedral - cup, book, gold for embossing-comes the sacredness of the altar." This juxtaposition highlights how ordinary objects and materials, when arranged and perceived in a certain way, can create a sense of sacredness and reverence. It suggests that the distinction between the sacred and the profane is often a matter of perspective and context.

The scene shifts to the gestures of tourists: "And out of gestures of those in the middle of sightseeing, walking and shifting packages from one arm to another, emerges the one gesture caught on the saint's face, a groaning for that which he feels he himself impedes." This line captures a moment of profound emotion, as the saint’s face reflects a deep, internal struggle—a yearning for something greater that he believes he hinders himself from achieving. The tourists' mundane actions contrast sharply with the saint's spiritual anguish, emphasizing the theme of inner versus outer realities.

The artist's perspective offers a further layer of introspection: "How can he with so much want, the artist says, not surmount himself." This question underscores the tension between desire and self-imposed limitations. It speaks to the human condition of wanting to rise above one's flaws and contradictions but often feeling trapped by them.

The poem then shifts to a more personal and intimate reflection: "Disgust pulls around the mouth of the tourist and he leans against the stone balustrade. He will only say he is tired and hot." This physical description of the tourist conveys a sense of weariness and disillusionment. The tourist’s outward expression of fatigue masks a deeper, unspoken self-awareness: "Why doesn't everyone see the disfigurement in his shoulders and face:— that his whole life is hypocrisy?" This line reveals the tourist’s acute self-consciousness and internalized guilt, suggesting that his entire existence feels like a facade.

The poem questions the nature of honesty and connection: "If they said what they meant, wouldn't each have to go on alone?" This rhetorical question implies that true honesty would isolate individuals, as it would reveal the deeper, often uncomfortable truths that people typically hide. The fear of isolation and the need for social acceptance drive people to maintain their facades.

The poem concludes with a return to the mundane: "So they start again to peruse trinkets, pampering themselves with a drink and cake, liking the religious painting." This closing scene reflects the cycle of distraction and self-indulgence that people use to cope with their inner conflicts. The act of admiring religious art while engaging in trivial activities highlights the irony and hypocrisy of seeking solace and meaning in superficial pleasures.

"Hypocrisy" by Carol Frost is a profound meditation on the human tendency to mask inner turmoil with outward appearances. Through its rich imagery and introspective narrative, the poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which people navigate their desires, fears, and contradictions. Frost's exploration of authenticity and self-deception offers a poignant commentary on the complexity of the human condition and the delicate balance between the sacred and the mundane.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Venus_and_Don_Juan/SMw6m_pC274C?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=HYPOCRISY#f=false

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