Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Formal Elegy" by John Berryman is a complex and multi-layered meditation on violence, loss, and the collective grief following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, Berryman navigates the tumultuous emotional and political landscape of America in the aftermath of this national tragedy. The poem oscillates between personal reflection, political commentary, and universal questioning, creating a tapestry of mourning that captures the zeitgeist of a nation in shock.

The poem begins with an evocation of violence and the chilling coldness of death, setting the tone for a reflection on the senselessness of murder and the moral ambiguities that surround acts of violence committed in the name of principle or mercy. Berryman's reference to Byzantium, a symbol of a golden age of art and intellectual achievement, juxtaposed with the brutality of murder, underscores the tragic loss of potential and the degradation of societal values.

In the second section, Berryman shifts focus to the individual casualties of violence, honoring Patrolman J.D. Tippit, killed by Lee Harvey Oswald, and extending peace to Oswald's widow. This gesture humanizes the tragedy, acknowledging the personal losses and the ripple effects of such a public act of violence. The mention of the seven fatherless children further emphasizes the personal cost of political violence.

Berryman's elegy then moves to a critique of American culture, lamenting the stagnation and escapism of a society glued to television screens, disconnected from reality. The metaphor of the speaker being "four feet long, invisibly" suggests a feeling of diminishment and invisibility in the face of overwhelming societal issues. The image of a stare underwater signifies the drowning of the individual's voice and agency in the vastness of collective grief and apathy.

The fourth section reflects on the lost potential and the disillusionment with political leadership, using the Bay of Pigs as a symbol of failed promises and misguided actions. Berryman's allusion to Kennedy's "splendid hair" not being "wholly real" captures the disillusionment with the image versus the reality of political figures and their actions.

As the poem progresses, Berryman grapples with the collective shock and the inability to articulate the depth of grief, encapsulated in the imagery of "Black foam. A weaving snake. An invulnerable sleep." This suggests the numbing effect of such a profound loss on the national consciousness.

Berryman's personal reflection on Kennedy's death and the shameful reaction of some schoolgirls in Dallas cheering upon hearing the news highlights the deep divisions within American society and the moral and educational failings that allow for such a response. This moment of personal shame and reflection on societal values underscores the complexity of navigating grief and understanding in a divided nation.

The elegy culminates in a hopeful, albeit cautious, vision for the future, with Berryman expressing a wish for the bullets intended for the President to go astray and for a collective effort to support and protect the nation's leader. This reflects a desire for unity and healing in the face of division and violence.

The poem closes with a somber acknowledgment of the finality of death and the ongoing struggle to make sense of senseless acts of violence. Berryman's call to "Let us continue" serves as a rallying cry to move forward, to heal, and to find a way to live in the aftermath of tragedy, emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of collective perseverance.

"Formal Elegy" is a profound and deeply moving exploration of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in the wake of a national tragedy. Berryman's use of varied imagery, personal reflection, and political commentary creates a rich and nuanced portrait of a nation in mourning, offering insights into the complexities of human emotion, societal values, and the enduring quest for understanding and healing.

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