Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Galway Kinnell's poem "The Homecoming of Emma Lazarus" is a rich and evocative exploration of the life, death, and enduring legacy of Emma Lazarus, the poet best known for her sonnet "The New Colossus," which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Through layered imagery and poignant reflections, Kinnell delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the interplay between personal and national histories.

The poem begins with the striking image of Emma Lazarus returning to New York, carried by the "strewn / Atlantic" and past Bedloe Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands. The "Green Lady" lifting her "burning hand" over the harbor sets a solemn tone, highlighting the statue's role as a beacon of hope and a witness to countless journeys. Emma's homecoming is tinged with melancholy, as she navigates through the fog without Thoreau's pocket compass, a symbol of lost guidance and the disorientation that accompanies her return.

Kinnell captures the difficulty of Emma's final journey, describing it as "hard for her, somehow, coming in to die," juxtaposing it with her father's earlier death. The mention of Union Square and Governor's Island evokes the geographic and emotional landscapes of her life. The "bugler's loneliest notes" rolling in from Governor's Island add a layer of haunting solemnity, underscoring the sense of an incomplete farewell.

In the second section, Kinnell reflects on Emma's childhood, recalling a day she chased a butterfly through Battery Park. This image of a carefree child contrasts with the figure of the "despised grandmother," whose physical and metaphorical age weighs down the scene. The butterfly, with its "clumsy, wind-thin / Wings making stained windows in the sun," symbolizes fragility and fleeting beauty. The Green Lady, the Statue of Liberty, is described as the destination of their journey, a symbol of hope and aspiration amidst their struggles.

The third section delves deeper into Emma's inner life and the complexities of her identity. Kinnell paints a vivid picture of her as a dark-haired, youthful figure who witnessed the sinking of Atlantis, a metaphor for lost utopias and unattainable ideals. Her life in New York, filled with colorful memories and creative endeavors, is tinged with a longing for something more. The references to Union Square, her father's affection, and her neurotic longing to be English reflect her internal conflicts and the dissonance between her American reality and her idealized visions of the Old World.

The poem's fourth section shifts focus to the Statue of Liberty, personifying her as the "Green Lady" who whispers "Eden!" This section explores the duality of the statue's symbolism: a beacon of hope for some, and a source of nostalgia and unattainable ideals for others. The Green Lady, in her verdigris, embodies the contradictions of American identity and the complex interplay between past and present.

Emma Lazarus's own reflections on her poetry add a layer of introspection. The poem she once read in the paper is now seen as a relic of a past that can no longer comfort her. Her arm lying along the bench, her hand hanging over the edge, and her long weeping signify a profound sense of loss and disillusionment. The conscript bugler's notes fading into the night symbolize the fading promises and the enduring wounds of accepted yet unfulfilled ideals.

"The Homecoming of Emma Lazarus" is a powerful meditation on the intersections of personal and national history, the complexities of identity, and the enduring impact of poetry and ideals. Through rich imagery and emotional depth, Kinnell captures the essence of Emma Lazarus's life and legacy, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of her story and the continuing relevance of her words. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring power of art and the deep, often painful connections between individual lives and the larger currents of history.

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