Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem begins by setting the context of the Chipewyans' shifting lifestyle, from hunting and engaging with the land to being participants in and subjects of the modern state's initiatives, such as the installation of radar. This shift is not just physical but cultural, marking a departure from traditional ways of life to one where "big snow" and "hot thunder" become pastimes rather than elements of survival. The reference to "Treaty Day," a day when the government lands with cash, symbolizes the commodification of indigenous identities and practices, reducing once-sacred rituals and agreements to transactions.

The presence of the priest, who "talks Chipewyan like a white man," underscores the colonial and missionary efforts to assimilate indigenous peoples, often through the erasure of native languages and practices. His admonitions to wash and the promise that God will not "pay off again until ice-out" reflect the imposition of Christian values and economic dependencies on the Chipewyan people, further alienating them from their traditional beliefs and self-sufficiency.

At the heart of the poem is the game of Spit, a traditional Chipewyan game that symbolizes resilience and continuity amidst these changes. The detailed rules of the game, involving the spitting on a man's chest and the outcomes determined by the direction of the spit, serve as a metaphor for the complexities of survival and identity within the Chipewyan community. The game, played "when light and cash run out," represents a return to indigenous law and order, a reclamation of agency and autonomy in a world where both are increasingly threatened by external forces.

Booth's repetition of the word "Spit" throughout the poem, especially in its concluding lines, serves to emphasize the act of defiance and resilience inherent in the maintenance of this tradition. The game becomes a symbol of the Chipewyan's endurance and resistance against the erasure of their culture, a stark reminder of the things that "new civilizations have no name for." In this way, Booth highlights the unique and irreplaceable value of indigenous traditions, which persist despite the pressures of assimilation and modernization.

The poem's somber tone and its focus on the game of Spit underscore the broader themes of loss, survival, and the enduring spirit of indigenous cultures. Booth's use of specific cultural references and his attention to the details of the game itself offer a respectful acknowledgment of the Chipewyan people's resilience in the face of systemic challenges. Through "Spit," Booth navigates the complex terrain of memory, tradition, and cultural continuity, offering a nuanced reflection on the ways in which indigenous communities preserve their identity and autonomy in a rapidly changing world.

In conclusion, "Spit" by Philip Booth is a deeply evocative and thought-provoking piece that delves into the resilience of indigenous cultures amidst the onslaught of modernization and colonial influence. By focusing on the traditional game of Spit, Booth encapsulates the struggles, adaptations, and enduring spirit of the Chipewyan people, offering a poignant commentary on the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the indomitable will to survive and thrive against all odds.

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