Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Evil Eye" by John Ciardi delves into the rich tapestry of Italian folklore, superstition, and family rituals through the personal lens of a birth story interwoven with the belief in the Evil Eye. This poem is a vivid narrative that explores themes of cultural heritage, protection, and the passage from namelessness into identity within the context of traditional beliefs and practices.

Ciardi begins the poem by describing the ritual of detecting the Evil Eye—a malevolent gaze believed to cause harm—through pouring olive oil on holy water. This practice, rooted in the superstitions of Italian peasants, sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the intersection between ancient beliefs and personal history. The poet's grandmother, Nona, sees the ominous sign of the Evil Eye "Form on my birth," initiating a series of protective measures that blend pagan practices with Christian symbols.

The poem recounts various attempts to ward off the Evil Eye's influence, from physical remedies like being beaten with bay, fennel, and barley, to spiritual protections such as gifts of crucifixes, vows of prayer, and scapulars. These actions reflect a deep-seated cultural impulse to protect the vulnerable newborn from unseen malevolent forces, highlighting the amalgamation of folk traditions and religious faith within Italian peasant culture.

Felice, the midwife, adds another layer of protection by adorning the infant with a tin fish filled with garlic and breadcrumbs, further emphasizing the blend of practical and symbolic measures employed to safeguard against the Evil Eye. The ritual washing with holy water and the glaring presence of the Evil Eye, "wide as original sin," underscore the perceived gravity of the threat and the community's collective effort to neutralize it.

The poem reaches a climax with the decision to baptize the child, a rite that symbolizes both spiritual cleansing and social integration. The narrator humorously notes that this occasion warranted not just a sprinkling but a "ducking," followed by a communal feast marking the child's formal entrance into the community and the Christian faith. The closing of the Evil Eye on the water signifies the successful neutralization of the threat, allowing the child to begin life unburdened by the superstition's ominous shadow.

Ciardi concludes the poem by situating his personal story within the broader historical context of 1916, "The year of the war and the influenza." This reference serves to anchor the narrative in a specific time of global turmoil and uncertainty, juxtaposing the intimate family story with the larger tragedies unfolding in the world.

"The Evil Eye" is a compelling exploration of how cultural superstitions, family traditions, and religious rituals intertwine to shape individual identity and community belonging. Through vivid imagery and a narrative that oscillates between the solemn and the humorous, Ciardi offers a window into the ways in which ancient beliefs persist in modern lives, marking the milestones of birth, naming, and belonging with a tapestry of protective rites and communal celebration.

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