Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"In Memory of Arthur Winslow: 1. Death from Cancer" by Robert Lowell is a deeply contemplative and somber reflection on the death of Arthur Winslow. Using rich imagery and classical allusions, Lowell captures the struggle with illness and the transition from life to death, drawing connections to Easter's themes of resurrection and renewal.

Arthur Winslow was Lowell's grandfather on his mother's side. Winslow was a prominent Bostonian and a notable figure in the Lowell family's history. The Winslows were part of the old Boston Brahmin elite, a group known for their influence in the social, political, and economic life of Boston. Arthur Winslow's death and its impact on Lowell are central themes in the poem, as Lowell reflects on his grandfather's struggle with cancer and his eventual passing, intertwining personal memory with broader themes of mortality and legacy.

The poem opens with the line, "This Easter, Arthur Winslow, less than dead," immediately juxtaposing the holiday's promise of resurrection with the reality of Arthur's terminal condition. The reference to Easter sets a poignant backdrop, suggesting a time of hope and rebirth that contrasts starkly with Arthur's impending death. Arthur is placed in Phillips' House, a hospital setting, to confront his "wrestling with the crab," a metaphor for cancer. The vivid imagery of "claws drop flesh upon your yachting blouse" evokes the aggressive and destructive nature of the disease, likening it to a relentless predator.

Lowell introduces the figure of Charon, the mythological ferryman who transports souls to the underworld, as a "longshoreman" who will eventually "come and stab / Through your adjusted bed / And crush the crab." This imagery blends the mundane with the mythological, emphasizing the inevitable arrival of death and the release from suffering. The transition from life to death is framed within a maritime context, connecting Arthur's journey to classical mythology and the nautical culture of Boston.

The setting shifts to the Boston Basin, where "shells / Hit the water by the Union Boat Club wharf." This scene is both tranquil and reflective, mirroring Arthur's contemplation of his own mortality. The coxes' squeakings, typically associated with the coordination of rowing teams, are described as dwarfing "the resurrexit dominus of all the bells," suggesting that the sounds of everyday life continue, overshadowing the solemnity of resurrection and religious observance.

Lowell then evokes a nostalgic image of the Public Gardens, where "the swanboats coast / That island," and "bread-stuffed ducks are brooding." These scenes of natural beauty and life carry an undertone of melancholy, as they occur during Arthur's final days. The mention of the "mid-Sunday Irish" who "scare / The sun-struck shallows for the dusky chub" adds a layer of everyday activity and cultural detail, grounding the poem in the realities of urban life even as it grapples with profound themes of death and transcendence.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of "the ghost / Of risen Jesus walks the waves to run / Arthur upon a trumpeting black swan / Beyond Charles River to the Acheron." Here, the Easter motif of resurrection is intertwined with the classical image of the Acheron, one of the rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology. The "trumpeting black swan" symbolizes a majestic and somber guide for Arthur's final journey, suggesting both an ending and a transformation. The merging of "the wide waters and their voyager" implies a unity and peace in death, a final release from the physical suffering of cancer.

Lowell employs an irregular rhyme scheme. The poem does not adhere to a strict pattern of end rhymes, instead opting for a more fluid and organic arrangement with some end rhymes and near rhymes. This irregularity mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of illness and death, as well as the deeply personal and reflective tone of the poem. The flexibility in rhyme allows Lowell to focus more on the imagery and emotional resonance of his words, rather than being confined by a rigid structure.

In "In Memory of Arthur Winslow: 1. Death from Cancer," Robert Lowell masterfully blends personal reflection, rich imagery, and classical allusion to explore the themes of illness, death, and the hope of resurrection. The poem's structure and evocative language invite readers to contemplate the complex interplay between life and death, the mundane and the mythological, and the enduring power of memory and love.

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