Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan’s poem “Faith” explores the intricate dynamics of trust, belief, and the sometimes uneasy relationship between science and the more ancient narratives of creation. Pastan, whose poetry often examines the intersection of everyday life with larger philosophical and existential questions, uses this poem to delve into the concept of faith—not in a religious sense, but in the faith we place in those who wield knowledge and authority, even when that knowledge is beyond our direct comprehension.

The poem begins with a striking image: “With the seal of science / emblazoned / on your forehead, / like the old Good Housekeeping / Seal of Approval.” This comparison is both ironic and revealing. The "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" is a symbol of trust and reliability, often associated with consumer products. By likening the speaker’s faith in the addressee—a scientist or a figure of scientific authority—to this seal, Pastan highlights the almost consumer-like acceptance of scientific facts by those who may not fully understand them. The speaker believes in the scientist's words about "cells and molecules," even though these entities are invisible to the naked eye. This belief is not based on personal knowledge or understanding, but on the reputation and authority of science itself.

Pastan continues by emphasizing the speaker's inability to fully grasp the "language" of science, which is "full of numbers and symbols" that remain mysterious and inaccessible. Despite this, the speaker’s faith remains unshaken. The scientist, with his "askew" tie and "unruly" hair, is portrayed as a somewhat disheveled figure—a stereotype of the brilliant but eccentric scientist. Yet, this disarray does nothing to diminish the speaker's belief in his pronouncements. The image of the expanding or contracting universe—a concept that the speaker has "forgotten"—underscores the idea that the details of scientific knowledge may be elusive or even incomprehensible to the layperson. Still, the authority of the scientist remains unquestioned.

The poem’s tone shifts subtly in the second half, introducing a hypothetical scenario where the scientist admits to a "small miscalculation" and reverts to a more traditional, biblical explanation of the world's creation. The reference to God creating the world in "6 short days" and resting on the seventh, as well as the mention of Eve as the source of human suffering, invokes the Genesis creation narrative. The speaker asserts that she would believe this revised account just as readily as she has believed the scientific explanations provided before. This willingness to accept such a drastic shift in narrative underscores the speaker’s deep-seated trust, not necessarily in the specific content of what is being said, but in the authority of the person saying it.

By placing religious creation myths alongside scientific explanations, Pastan explores the fluidity of belief and the human tendency to place faith in authority figures, regardless of the consistency or coherence of their narratives. The poem questions whether this faith is truly in the knowledge itself, or rather in the perceived infallibility of those who claim to possess it. The speaker’s declaration, “I would believe you / as I’ve always done before,” carries a note of resignation or inevitability, suggesting that this faith is less about critical evaluation and more about a kind of habitual trust.

"Faith" thus becomes a meditation on the nature of belief in a modern, scientific world, where complex and abstract concepts are often taken on trust by those who lack the means or expertise to verify them. Pastan invites readers to consider the ways in which authority—whether scientific or religious—shapes our understanding of reality and to reflect on the ease with which deeply held beliefs can be altered by those we choose to trust. The poem subtly critiques this passive acceptance, while also acknowledging the comfort and stability that such faith can provide in a world full of uncertainties.

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