Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Wholly Fail" by John Berryman is a complex and deeply allegorical poem that grapples with the moral and existential implications of scientific pursuit and the quest for knowledge. Through the figure of "Sir Partofall, our Best, O the Physicist," Berryman delves into themes of ambition, failure, and the potentially catastrophic consequences of human endeavors to control nature and life itself.

The poem opens by positioning the physicist among the "Wizards of Oak Ridge and Los Alamos," referencing scientists involved in the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. This association immediately situates the poem within a context of groundbreaking but morally ambiguous scientific achievement. The "questrist" (a seeker or inquirer) is depicted as attempting to develop a drug of uncertain effects, highlighting the unpredictable nature of scientific experimentation and the ethical dilemmas it can entail.

Berryman employs a narrative of suspense and ambiguity, as the physicist tests the drug on himself, hoping to observe its effects on his family without their knowledge. The silent and complete stillness that follows—likened to a curtain—leaves the outcome uncertain, raising questions about success, failure, and the cost of the physicist's quest.

The reference to the physicist potentially being labeled "a beast / Or madman" if he survives to reach a position of authority ("the Chair") underscores the tension between ambition and morality, the fine line between genius and madness in the pursuit of knowledge. Berryman's invocation of "O lucky Doctor" is heavily ironic, questioning whether survival or achievement in such circumstances can truly be considered fortunate.

Berryman's poem then shifts to a reflection on the overarching goals of scientific endeavor: to conquer death ("the power of the grave"), to reverse knowledge or actions ("The power to unwit"), and to overcome despair. These ambitions are presented as both noble and fraught with peril, encapsulating the dual nature of human progress.

The poem culminates in a call to redirect the focus from these perilous quests to the pursuit of the Grail—a symbol of divine grace and redemption. Berryman suggests that the state (society or government) should support the physicist in seeking something "Useful for mankind," albeit with an acknowledgment of the inherent uncertainty of such endeavors.

The final image of "Partsusall, transfigured, white with joy," smiling through the destructive forces unleashed ("the blast and fiery wind spreading out from / zero") offers a paradoxical vision of triumph and catastrophe. This figure, a play on "Parsifal" (or "Percival"), the Grail knight, represents the ideal of achieving enlightenment or salvation through trial and suffering, yet the joy is tinged with the devastation wrought by human action.

"The Wholly Fail" is a meditation on the ethical complexities of scientific and technological advancement, the insatiable human thirst for knowledge, and the potential for both transcendence and tragedy in our attempts to master the forces of nature. Through this allegorical narrative, Berryman explores the profound responsibilities that come with intellectual and creative power, and the need for humility, caution, and moral guidance in the face of humanity's most ambitious endeavors.

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