Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's "The Last Man" intertwines stark imagery and a profound sense of dissonance to evoke themes of survival, desolation, and the persistence of hope amid despair. The poem juxtaposes the ordinary, almost mundane reality of city life with the harrowing experience of Martinez, the titular last man, living in a war-torn village. This contrast underscores the often unseen or ignored suffering in the world, challenging the reader to confront the disparities between different lived realities.

The poem opens with a depiction of a brisk winter day in a familiar urban environment. The description is calm, almost mundane, with "reassuring rows of brick façades" and "litter baskets overflowing / with the harvest of the streets." This scene of normalcy is further emphasized by the synchronized movements of people and cars, a choreographed dance of everyday life. However, the underlying tension is revealed when the poem subtly mentions "blood that is pouring / like a tide, on other shores," hinting at violence and suffering that are distant yet omnipresent.

This tension is embodied in Martinez, a peasant who remains in his village despite the surrounding violence. His steadfastness is portrayed through his hope that "God, El Salvador, / will let him get the harvest in." Martinez's connection to his land and his refusal to flee evoke a sense of tragic resilience. His rhetorical question, “Can a fish live out of water?” captures his deep bond with his environment, suggesting that his identity and existence are inextricably linked to his land, even as it is threatened by metaphorical "sharks"—symbolic of the violence encroaching upon his life.

The poem then returns to the urban setting, described as the "belly of the beast." This reference to Moby-Dick's Ahab, lashed to the side of the whale, serves as a powerful metaphor for the destructive and obsessive nature of mankind, particularly in contexts of war and violence. Ahab's lifeless eyes and "ivory leg / juts from the flank of Leviathan / like a useless tooth" symbolize futile resistance and the cyclical nature of violence.

In the closing stanza, the poem shifts back to Martinez, capturing a moment of potential salvation as "a cloud forms, an old icon for mercy." This image of rain, described as "manitas de plata / little hands of silver," brings a momentary respite and hope. The rain, a universal symbol of renewal and life, offers a glimmer of mercy to the parched land, evoking biblical connotations of Rachel weeping for her children. This hopeful imagery contrasts sharply with the earlier depictions of violence and despair, suggesting a complex interplay between destruction and renewal, despair and hope.

"The Last Man" poignantly addresses the stark contrasts between different worlds and the resilience of individuals amid profound suffering. Through Martinez's story, Wilner explores themes of attachment to land, the impact of violence, and the persistence of hope. The poem's shifting perspectives and rich imagery create a powerful narrative that challenges readers to acknowledge the hidden struggles in the world and to reflect on the broader implications of human actions and inactions.

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