Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"We Had Seen a Pig" by Marvin Bell is a striking and multi-layered poem that delves into themes of violence, mortality, community, and the complex relationship between humans and the animals they consume. Through vivid imagery and a narrative that spans personal and collective experiences, Bell invites readers to reflect on the brutality inherent in the act of slaughter and the ways in which it is normalized within society.

The first section of the poem graphically describes the slaughter of a pig, capturing the violence and force of the act with stark realism. The use of the term "assassins" to describe the men involved underscores the deliberate nature of the killing, while the detailed depiction of the pig's struggle and eventual death highlights the suffering involved. The transformation of the pig from a living being into an object ("the pig face went dull") marks the finality of death and the erasure of individuality.

The second section broadens the scope to include the butcher and his menagerie of animals, providing context for the slaughter and situating it within the rhythms of daily life. The mention of the windmill and the sea breeze adds atmospheric details that contrast with the brutality of the acts described, suggesting a normalcy and routine to the violence that is unsettling.

Bell's reference to the butcher as Italian and the inclusion of other immigrant characters—the barber and the Greek—introduce themes of identity, community, and survival. The diverse backgrounds of these characters reflect the melting pot of American society and the ways in which individuals carve out spaces for themselves within it. The mention of immigrant "submarines" adds a layer of complexity, hinting at hidden lives and the struggle for acceptance and stability.

The final section contemplates the aftermath of the slaughter, with the pig "hung up to drain" and "hacked into portions." The comparison of the dismembered pig to a "puzzle" suggests a disconnection from the reality of the animal's death, as its parts are sanitized, packaged, and consumed without acknowledgment of the violence that produced them. The idea that these portions could form a picture of "a pig of course, a map, clothes or other things" when reassembled in the freezer speaks to the human capacity to compartmentalize and distance themselves from the sources of their sustenance.

"We Had Seen a Pig" is a profound and unsettling meditation on the intersections of life, death, and consumption. Through his detailed and compassionate portrayal of the slaughter of a pig and its implications for both human and animal participants, Marvin Bell challenges readers to confront the ethical complexities of their relationships with the non-human world. The poem ultimately serves as a reflection on the costs of survival and the ways in which societies navigate the delicate balance between necessity and compassion.

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