Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's "On Ethnic Definitions" is a concise yet profoundly evocative poem that tackles the historical and emotional weight of ethnic identity through the lens of the Jewish Cemetery in Prague. The poem’s brevity belies its depth, capturing the cramped, oppressive conditions of the Jewish ghetto and the inventive, yet macabre, solution for burial due to limited space. The poem's imagery is potent, drawing a vivid picture of the community's struggles and resilience.

The opening lines immediately set the scene in the Jewish Cemetery, highlighting the stark reality of space constraints within the ghetto: "the ghetto was so small, so little / space for the living, and less (by rights) / for the dead." This juxtaposition of the living and the dead in such a confined space underscores the harsh conditions faced by the Jewish community. The parenthetical "(by rights)" subtly critiques the systemic marginalization and deprivation of rights endured by Jews, hinting at a broader context of oppression and discrimination.

The poem’s central image, "they buried the bodies / standing up," is both startling and evocative. This unusual method of burial serves as a metaphor for the resilience and adaptability of the Jewish people in the face of adversity. It also alludes to the cramped, vertical existence forced upon them by the constraints of the ghetto, both in life and in death. This imagery is powerful, conveying a sense of urgency and claustrophobia, yet also a profound dignity in making do with what little they had.

Wilner's use of the phrase "the underground / train to Sheol" ingeniously merges modern imagery with ancient myth. Sheol, the ancient Hebrew concept of the underworld, is depicted here as a crowded subway train, suggesting a continuity of suffering and endurance. The "rush-hour of ghosts" vividly conveys the crowded, almost bustling nature of this underworld journey, implying that even in death, the souls are not at rest but are instead part of a perpetual commute, waiting for the final judgment.

The poem's conclusion, "when / the train arrives, when the final trump / sounds and the Saved dead rise, / with a sigh, they'll at last lie down," offers a poignant mix of hope and resignation. The imagery of the final trump, a reference to the Last Judgment, suggests a moment of ultimate redemption and rest. The "Saved dead" rising signifies the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise of peace and relief. The sigh with which they lie down captures a profound release from the centuries of endurance and struggle, implying a rest that is both physical and spiritual.

In "On Ethnic Definitions," Wilner effectively uses a specific historical and cultural reference to explore broader themes of identity, resilience, and hope. The poem’s imagery and allusions create a layered narrative that speaks to the enduring human spirit amidst adversity. Through the lens of the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Wilner sheds light on the complex intersections of ethnic identity, historical suffering, and the longing for peace, making this brief poem a powerful commentary on the Jewish experience and, by extension, the universal human condition.

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