|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"United Jewish Appeal" by Michael Blumenthal is a poignant narrative poem that delves into themes of innocence, guilt, cunning, and familial bonds, all wrapped within the vivid recollections of a childhood scheme. The poem unfolds in the memory of a young boy who, driven by the simple desires for quarters to spend on malteds and baseball cards, concocts a plan to deceive his blind grandmother by pretending to be a collector for the United Jewish Appeal. Through this narrative, Blumenthal explores the complexities of human nature, the innocence of youth, and the deep connections that bind families together, even in moments of mischief. The setting is a Sunday afternoon in Washington Heights, with the boy's parents away, creating a perfect stage for mischief. The anticipation builds as the boy, accompanied by his smirking friend Raymond, rings his grandmother's doorbell, setting the scene for their ruse. The detailed description of the grandmother's slow approach to the door, her cautious optimism mixed with fear, and the vivid imagery of the parakeet Jerry trapped in her hairnet all serve to paint a rich, almost cinematic picture of the scene. Blumenthal's use of dialogue and dialect—particularly the boy's "cracked, mock-Hassidic voice"—adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the tension between the playful audacity of youth and the solemnity of the grandmother's life experiences. The interaction between the boy and his grandmother, mediated by a door chain and a narrow space of trust, underscores the poem's exploration of innocence and deception. The grandmother's willingness to give, driven by charity and perhaps a longing for connection, contrasts sharply with the boy's unhesitant readiness to take advantage of her blindness and generosity. The recurring motif of the parakeet, innocently complicating the ruse by its presence in the grandmother's hairnet, introduces a layer of absurdity and innocence to the scheme. This detail, alongside the imagery of the grandmother navigating her home by the "braille of the walls," evokes a sense of vulnerability and resilience in her character, enriching the narrative's emotional landscape. As the poem reaches its climax, with the boy successfully obtaining the quarters, the sense of triumph is tinged with complexity. The joy of acquisition is juxtaposed with the unspoken awareness of the deceit involved, leaving the reader to ponder the moral ambiguities of the situation. The closing image of the boy and Raymond frolicking into the "sun-licked, agnostic streets," enriched by their love for their grandmother and the spoils of their cleverness, captures the bittersweet nature of the memory. "United Jewish Appeal" is a reflective and layered poem that invites readers to consider the intersections of youth, morality, and the enduring power of family connections. Through the lens of a childhood memory, Blumenthal navigates the tender, sometimes troubling waters of growing up, leaving an indelible impression of the moments that shape us, for better or worse.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU'RE THE TOP by TONY HOAGLAND KISS GRANDMOTHERS GOOD NIGHT by ANDREW HUDGINS KICKING THE LEAVES by DONALD HALL THE BOOK OF SCAPEGOATS by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM THE GREAT GRANDPARENTS by TED KOOSER IMITATION OF POPE: A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES by WILLIAM BLAKE |
| |