Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Of Politics, & Art" by Norman Dubie is a reflective and atmospheric poem that juxtaposes a historical literary moment with contemporary discussions on literature and representation. The poem offers a poignant commentary on the enduring relevance of classic literature and the complexities of educational and literary critique in modern contexts.

The setting is a schoolhouse on a peninsula, being shaken by a winter storm—an environment that immediately establishes a sense of isolation and intensity. The teacher, Mrs. Whitimore, who is suffering from tuberculosis, becomes a central figure symbolizing endurance and the transmittal of knowledge despite personal suffering.

Dubie draws on a scene from Herman Melville’s writing (notably reminiscent of "Moby-Dick") where whalers find themselves in a moment of unexpected tranquility amid a herd of nursing whales. This scene is used to profound effect, highlighting a moment of peace and connection with nature that contrasts sharply with the perilous occupation of the whalers. The detailed description of the whales and the whalers’ reaction—particularly their focus on the "ecstatic lapidary pond of a nursing cow's one visible eyeball"—evokes a sense of wonder and humanity’s smallness in the face of nature's majesty.

The poem then shifts to a contemporary setting where the relevance of Melville’s work is being questioned in an educational context. The dialogue about whether Melville should be taught because his "one novel" lacks female characters introduces themes of gender representation and the criteria used for literary curriculum choices. This debate is layered over the earlier narrative, suggesting a disconnect between the immediate, humanistic understanding of literature and the more detached, analytical approaches of modern criticism.

Mrs. Whitimore, as she reads from the Psalms, bridges these two worlds—her condition and imminent mortality casting a pall over the classroom scene, even as she illuminates the minds of her students. Dubie uses her as a metaphor for a dying civilization, yet one that is peaceful, encapsulated in the "small heated room" with children who are "rapt, confident and listening." This imagery suggests that even in decline or in the face of death, there is dignity and potential for imparting wisdom.

The "blue light" on Mrs. Whitimore’s face, described in almost mystical terms, transforms her into a figure of spiritual and intellectual illumination. The storm outside mirrors the internal storm of confronting mortality and the philosophical storm of debating literary worth and educational content.

In conclusion, "Of Politics, & Art" by Norman Dubie uses a layered narrative to explore themes of human experience, the role of literature in understanding life, and the debates surrounding educational content. It is a contemplative piece that questions and affirms the power of storytelling in shaping human consciousness, connecting generations past and present through the shared experience of art and nature.

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