Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Frost's poem "Pride of Ancestry" offers a satirical and darkly humorous exploration of infidelity, social respectability, and the complex interplay between genetic heritage and personal identity. Through its narrative and tone, the poem presents a critique of societal norms and the often hypocritical nature of maintaining appearances.

The poem opens by introducing the Deacon's wife, who is described as "a bit desirish" and prone to seeking out "wild" sexual encounters. This description immediately sets the stage for a story that subverts the traditional image of a pious and respectable woman married to a religious figure. Her choice to lay with "one of the shanty Irish" introduces a socio-economic and cultural contrast, as the term "shanty Irish" often referred to impoverished Irish immigrants, thereby adding a layer of social transgression to her actions.

Frost's use of the phrase "he begot the Deacon's child" is intentionally ironic, suggesting that while the biological father of the child is the Irishman, the child is socially and legally recognized as the Deacon's. This irony is compounded by the description of the Deacon himself as a man of wealth and moral uprightness, symbolized by his "bosom shirt." The juxtaposition of his outward respectability with his wife's secret infidelity highlights the theme of hypocrisy and the façade of moral integrity.

The poem then delves into the wife's motivation for her infidelity, suggesting that her pleasure in "doing him dirt" stems from the contrast between the Deacon's social stature and the illicit thrill of her actions. The question posed in the third stanza, "How was she sure the child of the Deacon / Wasn't the Deacon's after all?" introduces doubt about the certainty of paternity and underscores the ambiguity and complexity of human relationships.

Frost's narrative takes a further turn as he delves into the mechanics of the wife's infidelity, introducing the concept of "high eugenics." The term eugenics, often associated with the pseudo-scientific practice of selective breeding for desirable traits, is used here to satirize the idea of controlling reproductive outcomes. The poem suggests that the wife manipulated her sexual encounters according to her "lunar rhythm" to ensure the child was fathered by the Irishman, who, as a Catholic, was more likely to result in a fertile union. This deliberate calculation adds a layer of strategic cunning to her actions and further undermines the veneer of moral propriety.

The final stanza reflects on the legacy of the Deacon's wife, noting that her portrait hangs in the family gallery, and a family of "nobodies" takes pride in their descent from her. The term "nobodies" indicates a lack of social distinction or significant achievements, yet they find a sense of identity and possibly a justification for their own behaviors—"genius and love of drink"—in their connection to her. This ironic twist emphasizes the absurdity of pride in ancestry when the supposed "noble" lineage is rooted in deceit and scandal.

"Pride of Ancestry" is a sharp commentary on the disparity between social appearance and private reality, as well as the human tendency to romanticize and derive meaning from one's lineage, regardless of its true nature. Frost's use of humor, irony, and vivid characterization makes the poem a compelling critique of social mores and the contradictions inherent in the maintenance of respectability.

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