Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan’s poem "A Real Story" is a poignant exploration of aging, memory, and the inevitable approach of death. The poem centers around the figure of the speaker's grandfather, who, at ninety-five, reflects on his life and the encroaching coldness of old age. Through the use of vivid imagery and tender, yet unflinching language, Pastan delves into the complexities of facing mortality and the ways in which stories—both the trivial and the profound—serve as a means of connection, comfort, and escape.

The poem opens with the image of the grandfather "sucking on hard candy to sweeten the taste of old age." This line encapsulates the idea that old age, with all its challenges and bitterness, can be tempered by small pleasures—like the hard candy—that offer a brief respite from the harsher realities of life. The act of sucking on candy becomes a metaphor for attempting to find sweetness or comfort in the later stages of life, a time often marked by decline and loss.

The grandfather’s stories about "chickens, city chickens sold for sabbath soup but rescued at the end by some chicken-loving providence" introduce a layer of nostalgia and cultural memory. These stories, though seemingly simple and perhaps even frivolous, are imbued with a sense of humor and a connection to the traditions of Jewish life. The idea of chickens being "rescued at the end" by a benevolent force serves as a lighthearted reflection on the themes of survival and hope, even in the face of death. These stories are familiar, comforting tales that the grandfather has shared with his family many times, representing a way of preserving his identity and his connection to his cultural roots.

As the poem shifts to the present, the tone becomes more somber: "Now at ninety-five, sucked down to nothing himself, he says he feels a coldness." The phrase "sucked down to nothing" vividly conveys the physical wasting away that often accompanies old age, as the once robust grandfather is now reduced to a frail shadow of his former self. The "coldness" he feels is not just physical but also metaphorical, representing the approach of death and the gradual extinguishing of life. Pastan draws a parallel between the grandfather and the biblical King David, who, despite being warmed by the presence of Abishag, still felt the coldness of his impending death: "perhaps the coldness David felt even with Abishag in his bed to warm his chicken-thin bones." The comparison to David emphasizes the universality of this experience—the coldness that even the mightiest and most revered figures cannot escape as they approach the end of their lives.

When the family members offer words of reassurance—"you'll soon get well"—the grandfather responds by pulling the sheet over his face, "raising it between us the way he used to raise the Yiddish paper when we said enough chickens tell us a real story." This gesture is laden with meaning. The sheet, much like the Yiddish paper, becomes a barrier between the grandfather and his loved ones, symbolizing his retreat into himself as he faces the reality of his condition. The act of covering his face can be seen as an acknowledgment of the inevitability of death, a refusal to engage in the false hope offered by his family. The mention of the Yiddish paper recalls the times when the grandfather would avoid their requests for more serious stories by hiding behind the paper, offering instead the light-hearted tales of chickens. Now, the sheet serves a similar purpose, shielding him from the difficult conversations about his mortality.

The repeated request for a "real story" takes on new significance in the context of the poem. While the stories of chickens may have once seemed trivial, the "real story" now is the story of the grandfather's life, his struggles, and his impending death. The poem suggests that the time for playful tales has passed, and what remains is the stark reality of the grandfather's decline.

In "A Real Story," Linda Pastan captures the intersection of memory, tradition, and mortality with great sensitivity. The poem reflects on the ways in which stories—both the light-hearted and the serious—serve as a means of coping with the challenges of life, especially in old age. Through the figure of the grandfather, Pastan explores the tension between the desire to preserve a sense of normalcy and the unavoidable reality of death. The poem ultimately reminds us of the importance of acknowledging the "real stories" of our lives, even when they are difficult or painful, and of the ways in which our memories and traditions shape our understanding of life and death.

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