Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "Becky and Benny in Far Rockaway" is a poignant exploration of memory, identity, and cultural heritage, set against the backdrop of a visit to an elderly Jewish couple living near the Atlantic Ocean. The poem captures the complex interplay of past and present, as well as the tension between the immigrant experience and the search for belonging in a new world.

The poem opens with a vivid description of Far Rockaway, a neighborhood near the Atlantic Ocean that seems to be at the edge of the world, "past the last subway station." The imagery of "streaks of sand on the sidewalk" and "armies of aging Jews soaking up sun / As if it were Talmud" immediately situates the reader in a place where the natural environment merges with the cultural and spiritual life of its inhabitants. The sun, likened to the Talmud, suggests that these elderly Jews find nourishment and meaning in the warmth and light, much as they would in the study of their sacred texts. This image underscores the connection between physical sustenance and spiritual fulfillment, a theme that will recur throughout the poem.

The mention of "the rickety white stairs / To an apartment like a frail body" introduces the reader to the physical space of Becky and Benny's home, which is described in terms that evoke fragility and aging. The apartment, like its inhabitants, is worn and delicate, yet it also serves as a sanctuary where the couple continues to live out their days.

Ostriker's description of Becky and Benny as "both warty, like alligators" is striking, suggesting that the couple has become hardened and toughened by their experiences, much like the resilient reptiles they are compared to. This comparison hints at the long, difficult journey they have likely endured as immigrants, yet it also conveys a sense of endurance and survival.

The poem then shifts to a scene of a meal, with "a lunch on the oilcloth-covered table" that feels both intimate and unsettling to the speaker. The smells and the atmosphere make the speaker feel "peculiar," indicating a sense of disconnection or discomfort, perhaps stemming from the differences in culture or the weight of the history that surrounds them.

As the lunch "seemed to go on all afternoon," the conversation is described as "anxious syllables floating over my head like fireflies." This imagery conveys a sense of disorientation and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the unfamiliar language and the intense emotions in the room. The speaker is referred to as "Shayne maydel," which means "beautiful girl" in Yiddish, a term of endearment that further emphasizes the cultural and generational divide.

The imperative "Eat, they said in English, eat" reveals the couple’s desire to care for the speaker in the only way they know how—through food, a universal expression of love and hospitality. The speaker, responding to their insistence, finally reaches the "pastoral scene" at the bottom of the dish, which is decorated with "Bo Peep, pink roses, green leaves." This image represents a nostalgic, idealized vision of the past, one that the Jewish immigrants might have purchased as a symbol of the American dream—a dream of beauty, peace, and prosperity that contrasts sharply with the reality of their lived experience.

The final lines of the poem encapsulate the bittersweet nature of the visit. Becky and Benny "beamed, / Gold-toothed, as if their exile were canceled." This moment of joy and satisfaction reflects the couple’s hope that by sharing a meal with the speaker, they are able to momentarily transcend the hardships of their past and affirm their place in this new world. The phrase "You should eat and be healthy, they said" conveys a blessing, a wish for well-being that goes beyond physical nourishment, encompassing a deeper desire for wholeness and continuity.

"Becky and Benny in Far Rockaway" is a meditation on the immigrant experience, the passage of time, and the ways in which cultural identity is preserved and transmitted through generations. Through the lens of a simple meal, Ostriker delves into the complexities of memory, belonging, and the persistence of hope in the face of exile. The poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which our own histories and identities are shaped by the past, and how we navigate the delicate balance between remembering and moving forward.

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