Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jack Gilbert's poem "Susanna and the Elders" reinterprets the biblical story of Susanna in the Book of Daniel, shifting focus from the conventional themes of justice and innocence to the deeper and more visceral theme of fear. By highlighting the fear and vulnerability of Susanna and contrasting it with the grotesqueness of the elders, Gilbert paints a vivid picture of human frailty and the perversion of beauty by malevolent forces.

The poem opens with a critique of Rubens' depiction of Susanna, suggesting that the artist's portrayal is inadequate: "It is foolish for Rubens to show her simpering. They were clearly guilty and did her much sorrow." Here, Gilbert sets the stage for his own interpretation, distancing his work from traditional artistic renditions and focusing instead on the emotional and psychological dimensions of the narrative.

Gilbert explicitly states that his poem "is not concerned with justice. / It concerns itself with fear." This declaration shifts the reader’s attention from the moral resolution of the story to the raw, immediate emotions experienced by Susanna. By emphasizing fear, Gilbert delves into the human experience of terror and violation, making the story more intimate and personal.

The poem attempts to evoke the grotesque nature of the elders: "If it could, it would force you to see them at the hedge with their feeble eyes, the bodies, and the stinking mouths. / To see the one with the trembling hands. / The one with the sun visor." This description dehumanizes the elders, portraying them as weak, repulsive, and menacing figures. The imagery of "feeble eyes," "stinking mouths," and "trembling hands" emphasizes their physical decay and moral corruption, intensifying the sense of fear and repulsion.

In contrast, Susanna is depicted in terms of her beauty and purity: "It would show through the leaves all the loveliness of the world compacted. The lavish gleaming. / Her texture. The sheen of water on her brightness. The moon in sunlight." Gilbert uses lush, sensuous imagery to highlight Susanna’s innocence and the natural beauty that surrounds her. This juxtaposition of purity against corruption heightens the emotional impact of the poem.

Gilbert continues to explore the physicality and intimacy of Susanna’s experience: "Not only the choir of flesh. / Nor the intimacy of her inner mouth. / A meadow of warmth inhabited. / Personal." This imagery draws the reader into Susanna's physical and emotional state, creating a sense of empathy and connection. The "choir of flesh" and "inner mouth" suggest a deep, personal violation, while the "meadow of warmth inhabited" evokes a sense of her inherent vitality and innocence.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the elders' eternal punishment and exclusion: "And the elders excluded forever. Forever in exile. / It would show you their inexact hands till you acknowledged how it comes on you. / I think of them pushing to the middle of Hell where the pain is strongest. / To see at the top of the chimney, far off, the small coin of color. / And, sometimes, leaves." This final imagery underscores the idea of perpetual exile and suffering for the elders, suggesting that their punishment is both physical and spiritual. The "small coin of color" and "sometimes, leaves" represent distant, unattainable glimpses of beauty and redemption that are forever out of their reach.

"Susanna and the Elders" by Jack Gilbert is a haunting and evocative poem that reimagines a classic biblical story through the lens of fear and vulnerability. By focusing on the emotional and psychological dimensions of Susanna's experience, Gilbert creates a powerful narrative that underscores the fragility of innocence and the pervasive nature of human corruption. The poem’s vivid imagery and stark contrasts invite readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the profound impact of fear on the human psyche.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...