Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "The Feast" by Robert Hass, the poet skillfully delves into the subtleties of a social gathering, juxtaposing the outward festivity with the internal turmoil of one of the characters, likely the hostess. The poem opens with a lively scene on a deck where lovers and friends converse animatedly. The men, both with other men and new women, exhibit a "shrill and electric" excitement, while the married women exude a calm, mature beauty with "beautifully lined faces" and "coppery skin."

The hostess, meanwhile, is engaged in the traditional act of preparing food. She takes a turkey from the oven, a symbol of the feast and communal sharing. Her friends continue their conversations outside, basking in the "steady sunshine," unaware of the inner conflict brewing within her. She envisions the guests drifting towards the food, their movements fluid and natural, picking at the delicacies with "unconscious pleasure." This image of effortless enjoyment and the act of setting out food "artfully" contrasts sharply with her sudden emotional breakdown.

The pivotal moment arrives when, while carving the meat, she finds herself overcome with emotion. She transitions from imagining the perfect, artful arrangement of the feast to crying in darkness. The stark change from the bright, social setting to the solitary, dark moment highlights a profound disconnect between her external role as the gracious hostess and her internal sense of despair.

This shift in mood suggests a deeper, unspoken dissatisfaction or longing. Her tears and the subsequent darkness symbolize an unexplored depth of feeling, possibly a sense of isolation, unfulfilled desires, or an existential questioning of her role and identity. The line "She didn't know what she wanted" encapsulates her confusion and the complexity of her emotions. It hints at an underlying yearning for something beyond the immediate satisfaction of hosting a perfect gathering.

"The Feast" effectively contrasts the external appearance of social harmony and festivity with the internal chaos of the individual. Through vivid imagery and emotional contrast, Hass captures the tension between societal expectations and personal desires, the façade of perfection and the hidden struggles that often accompany it. The poem poignantly reflects on the human condition, exploring themes of identity, longing, and the often-unseen depths of personal struggle amidst communal celebration.

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