Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon's poem “The Argument” captures a moment of intense internal conflict, set against the backdrop of a drive through a familiar rural landscape. The poem weaves together vivid imagery, personal memories, and reflections on religious teachings, exploring themes of fear, faith, and the struggle to find comfort in the face of loss.

The poem begins with a simple, mundane activity: “On the way to the village store / I drive through a down-draft / from the neighbor’s chimney.” This opening sets a tranquil, everyday scene, but the peace is quickly disrupted by the sight and smell of woodsmoke: “Woodsmoke tumbles from the eaves / backlit by sun, reminding me / of the fire and sulfur of Grandmother’s / vengeful God.” The smoke, illuminated by the sun, evokes the fiery imagery of a punitive deity, reflecting the speaker's childhood memories of a harsh and judgmental religious upbringing.

Kenyon vividly recalls the teachings of her grandmother’s “vengeful God,” who disapproves of “jeans and shorts for girls, / dancing, strong waters, and adultery.” This list of prohibitions highlights the rigidity and moral strictness of the grandmother’s faith, setting the stage for the speaker's internal struggle. The smoke’s penetration into the car, despite the windows being closed, symbolizes the inescapable nature of these ingrained fears: “insinuating that I might, like Judas, / and the foolish virgins, and the rich / young man, have been made for unquenchable / fire.” The reference to these biblical figures, condemned for their failings, underscores the speaker’s anxiety about judgment and damnation.

The poem then shifts to a memory of a family funeral, where the speaker’s grandmother attempts to offer comfort: “‘All things work together for the good / for those who love God,’ she said / to comfort me at Uncle Hazen’s funeral.” The grandmother’s well-intentioned words, intended to provide solace, instead provoke a crisis of faith in the speaker. The detailed description of the funeral—“the maroon gladiolus that trembled / as we approached the bier, the elaborate / shirred satin, brass fittings”—captures the ceremonial aspects that fail to distract from the stark reality of death.

The speaker's emotional outburst—“‘No! NO! How is it good to be dead?’ / I cried afterward, wild-eyed and flushed”—reveals the depth of her distress and confusion. This moment of raw emotion contrasts sharply with the grandmother’s stoic response: “‘God’s ways are not our ways,’ / she said then out of pity / and the wish to forestall the argument.” The grandmother’s attempt to quell the speaker’s anguish with a platitude reflects both compassion and a desire to avoid further confrontation.

In “The Argument,” Jane Kenyon masterfully captures the tension between inherited religious beliefs and personal doubt. The poem’s vivid imagery and emotional depth convey the struggle to reconcile the comfort promised by faith with the harsh realities of life and death. Kenyon's exploration of this internal conflict invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with faith, fear, and the search for meaning in the face of loss. Through her nuanced portrayal of a deeply personal struggle, Kenyon offers a poignant meditation on the complexities of belief and the enduring quest for understanding.

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