Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Plate 134. By Eakins. 'A Cowboy in the West. An Unidentified Man at the Badger Company'" by David Ferry is a contemplative and evocative poem that engages with the archetype of the American cowboy, exploring the interplay between myth and reality. Through the detailed depiction of a photograph—presumably captured by Thomas Eakins, a painter known for his realistic portrayals of American life—Ferry crafts a narrative that questions the glorification typically associated with such figures, presenting instead a stark, unromantic view of the cowboy's existence.

The poem begins with an inventory of the cowboy's possessions: "His hat, his gun, his gloves, his chair, his place / In the sun." These items are emblematic of the cowboy's life and serve as symbolic extensions of his identity. However, the description quickly shifts from these icons to the setting, noting that the cowboy "sits with his feet in a dried-up pool / Of sunlight." This imagery suggests a diminishing or absence of vitality and prosperity, possibly reflecting the waning myth of the American West or the harsh realities of a cowboy's life.

The line "His face is the face of a hero / Who has read nothing at all, about heroes" introduces a critical twist to the portrayal. It implies a natural, uncontrived heroism in the cowboy, one that is innate and not derived from tales of glory or valiant figures. This suggests an authenticity to his character, juxtaposed with classical heroes who are often celebrated in literature and myth.

Ferry starkly contrasts this figure with Achilles, the epitome of heroic splendor and martial prowess in classical mythology. The cowboy is described as "without splendor, utterly without / The amazement of self that glorifies Achilles / The sunlike, the killer." This comparison delineates the cowboy as a more subdued, perhaps more realistic hero—one who is "without mercy" not due to a fierce disposition but because of "the imagination that he is / Without mercy." This complex psychological insight suggests that the cowboy's perceived toughness may stem from a lack of introspective depth rather than a conscious ethos of ruthlessness.

The poem’s perspective then shifts outward, noting "there is nothing to the East of him / Except the camera, which is almost entirely without / Understanding of what it sees in him." This statement critiques the role of the observer—or the artist, in this case, Eakins—highlighting the limitations of capturing true essence or understanding through the medium of photography or art. It suggests a disconnect between the image captured and the reality of the subject's experience.

Finally, the repeated listing of the cowboy's belongings at the end, with the addition of "his homely and / Heartbreaking canteen, empty on the ground," underscores a sense of loneliness and the harsh realities of his life. The empty canteen, in particular, symbolizes deprivation, both physical and perhaps emotional, adding a poignant note to the portrait.

In sum, Ferry's poem delicately peels away the romantic veneer often associated with the figure of the cowboy, presenting a more nuanced, sober reflection on the nature of heroism and the reality versus the myth of the American West. It challenges the viewer's perceptions and the narratives constructed by both historical and contemporary culture, urging a deeper contemplation of what truly defines a hero.

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