Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Noah's Wife" by Linda Gregerson is a poignant, reflective poem that reimagines the story of Noah's Ark from the perspective of Noah's wife. Through this lens, the poem explores themes of disobedience, human scale, divine intervention, and the inherent flaws and burdens of understanding and existence.

The poem opens with a depiction of Noah's wife as a source of comic relief, resisting the idea of boarding the Ark: "She doesn’t / see why she should get on the boat, etc., / etc." This resistance sets the stage for a broader commentary on human nature and the seemingly absurd demands placed upon individuals in moments of crisis. Her reluctance contrasts with the gravity of the situation, where "life as we know it hangs by a thread."

Gregerson introduces a moment of divine humor with God's deadpan line: "Who told you you were naked?" This reference to the Genesis story underscores the theme of newfound awareness and the consequences of knowledge. The world, still new and untainted by death, faces its first existential crisis, prompting questions about the origins of shame and self-awareness.

The poem then shifts to the practical challenges and absurdities of Noah's task: "three hundred cubits by fifty / by what? / What’s that in inches exactly?" This conversion of biblical measurements into modern terms highlights the impracticality and enormity of the endeavor. Noah's wife's skepticism and common-sense approach provide a humanizing contrast to the divine mandate, grounding the story in relatable terms.

Gregerson uses the character of Noah's wife to critique the simplicity with which monumental tasks and divine plans are often presented. Her disobedience and skepticism "restoring plot to human / scale" serve as a reminder of the complexity and fallibility of human efforts to fulfill divine commands. The poem acknowledges the absurdity and impossibility of Noah's task, likening it to a "primitive double-entry audit" that Noah is expected to use to save the world.

The poem also touches on the theme of understanding and the cost it incurs: "she’s such an unhappy reminder of what / understanding / costs." This line reflects the burden of knowledge and the relentless effort required to make sense of the world. The boy who cannot turn off the water, despite his efforts, symbolizes the relentless and often futile struggle to control and understand one's circumstances. His raw hands and feeling of filth emphasize the physical and emotional toll of this struggle.

The poem returns to divine questioning with another reference to Genesis: "Who told you you were food for worms?" This line challenges the notion of inherent guilt and self-awareness, questioning the origins of these beliefs. The response, "What / makes you think...I had to be told?" suggests an intrinsic understanding of human frailty and mortality, independent of divine revelation.

"Noah's Wife" by Linda Gregerson masterfully intertwines biblical references, human experiences, and existential questions. Through the character of Noah's wife, the poem critiques the simplicity of divine narratives, highlighting the complexity and burden of human understanding. Gregerson's exploration of disobedience, practicality, and the cost of knowledge invites readers to reflect on the profound challenges and absurdities inherent in the human condition.

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