Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Rose and Murray" by Conrad Aiken is a poignant poem that delves into the complexities of a romantic and professional relationship set against the backdrop of performance and pretense. The poem portrays the bittersweet dynamics between Rose, a former waitress turned dancer, and Murray, her dance partner and lover, as they navigate their relationship both on and off the stage.

The poem begins with a scene after a movie, where Rose and Murray are about to perform. Rose is described as "all in yellow, like a buttercup," suggesting brightness and vivacity, while her "white face" and the way she "yearns up to him, and clings" indicate a certain dependence and vulnerability in her relationship with Murray. The description of their dance as a "Tango whirl of love" suggests both the passion and the performative aspects of their relationship.

Their dance is characterized by a panther-like, gliding motion, a portrayal that conveys both elegance and a sense of danger or predation. Murray's "idiot stare" as he fawns over Rose during the performance hints at the superficiality of their on-stage relationship. This is contrasted with the off-stage reality where Rose, once a waitress, was picked up by Murray and taught to dance. The line "Love phrases that he whispered her still haunt" suggests a lingering emotional impact on Rose, despite the awareness of his infidelity and the imminent change in their relationship.

The spotlight that circles them, "flashing the spangles on her weighted dress," symbolizes the scrutiny and the glamour of their public life, under which Murray mimics wooing Rose. His internal thoughts reveal his fear of Rose's potential to disrupt their act and his plans to leave her for another partner. This insight into Murray's mind exposes the transactional and opportunistic nature of his feelings towards Rose.

Meanwhile, Zudora, another performer, observes them from the wings. Her leering at Rose's "younger face, so white and dumb" and the "fixed, anguished eyes, ready for tears" highlights the cruelty and competitiveness of their environment. It also foreshadows Rose's impending emotional breakdown.

The final stanza shifts to a more intimate setting, where Rose lies beside Murray with a "false wedding ring," in a cheap room lit by moonlight. The imagery of the "moonlit curtains" reminiscent of a spring evening on the Coney shore adds a layer of nostalgia and lost innocence to the scene. Despite knowing she ought to hate Murray for his infidelity and the pretense of their relationship, Rose clings to the memory of a time when their love seemed genuine, symbolized by the heart drawn on a plate with the words, "I'd die for you."

"Rose and Murray" is a deeply moving poem that explores themes of love, betrayal, illusion, and the harsh realities of life behind the glamor of performance. Aiken skillfully uses vivid imagery and contrasting settings to highlight the disparity between the public facade and private turmoil in Rose and Murray's relationship. The poem serves as a commentary on the complexities of human relationships, where emotions are entangled with ambition, deceit, and the harsh demands of survival.

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