Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Paul Muldoon's "A Collegelands Catechism" is a playful and intricate poem that intertwines elements of geography, mythology, history, and philosophical musings within the format of a catechism—a series of questions and answers traditionally used for religious instruction. However, Muldoon subverts this form, using it to pose a series of enigmatic and seemingly disconnected questions that challenge the reader to make sense of the associations and narratives embedded within the poem.

The poem begins with straightforward geographical questions: "Which is known as the 'Orchard County'?" and "Which as the 'Garden State'?" These questions refer to Armagh in Northern Ireland, often called the Orchard County for its apple orchards, and New Jersey in the United States, known as the Garden State. The shift from the local (Armagh) to the global (New Jersey) sets up a theme of interconnectedness and the blending of different cultural references that will continue throughout the poem.

The following questions delve into more obscure and mythological territory, such as the reference to "Setanta" and his "magical hurley balls." Setanta is the childhood name of the Irish mythological hero Cú Chulainn, who famously killed a fierce guard dog by striking it with a hurley ball. The inclusion of this mythological reference ties the poem back to Irish cultural heritage while also expanding its scope to include elements of folklore and legend.

The poem then introduces a philosophical figure, likely Diogenes of Sinope, the Greek philosopher known for living in a tub (or a large jar) and rejecting societal norms. The image of Diogenes living in a tub and rubbing "an apple on his sleeve" is a surreal blending of the mundane with the philosophical, suggesting a disregard for material wealth and a focus on simple, self-sufficient living. Diogenes' presence in the poem further complicates the narrative, as he becomes a figure who overhears a plot involving the "Maid of the Mist"—a famous boat that ferries tourists across Niagara Falls.

Muldoon mixes this classical imagery with the modern, as the philosopher seems to overhear a plot to seize the Maid of the Mist while it’s still attempting to cross the Niagara gorge. The poem then takes an even more surreal turn, imagining the philosopher cooking an omelette in his tub, blending the philosophical with the absurd and the domestic.

As the poem progresses, the narrative becomes increasingly convoluted, posing more questions about who "unearthed the egg-trove" and who "would marvel at how the Mounties / had so quickly closed in on him." These lines suggest a crime or a misadventure that has been swiftly addressed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, adding an element of law enforcement and justice to the mix.

The poem closes by returning to the original geographical questions, connecting the figure who "cooked and ate an omelette" back to the "Orchard County" and the "Garden State." This circular structure reinforces the idea of interconnectedness, as well as the blurring of boundaries between different places, times, and narratives.

"A Collegelands Catechism" exemplifies Muldoon’s signature style, characterized by its dense layering of references, wordplay, and the blending of high and low culture. The poem’s structure as a catechism invites the reader to consider how these seemingly disparate elements relate to one another, challenging them to find meaning in the associations and to engage with the text on multiple levels.

In essence, the poem can be seen as a meditation on knowledge, identity, and the strange ways in which history, mythology, and personal experience intertwine. The playful tone and the absurdity of some of the questions serve to both amuse and provoke thought, leaving the reader with a sense of the complexity and interconnectedness of the world as seen through Muldoon’s lens. The final connection between the "Orchard County" and the "Garden State" suggests a shared cultural and historical lineage, despite the vast geographical and contextual differences, underscoring the poem’s exploration of the global within the local and the universal within the particular.

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