Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ballad of How Adam Saw It" by John Ciardi employs the narrative form of a ballad to reinterpret the story of Adam's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, offering a fresh perspective on an age-old tale. Through a blend of humor, irony, and critique, Ciardi explores themes of authority, disobedience, and the inherent complexities of moral judgment. The poem revisits the biblical account, infusing it with a modern sensibility that challenges traditional interpretations and invites readers to consider the story from Adam's viewpoint.

The poem begins with a nod to the proverbial understanding of Adam's sin, framing his act of eating the forbidden fruit as "let[ting] a good thing go by." This initial stanza sets the tone for a narrative that sympathizes with Adam, suggesting that the consequences of his actions might be understood differently when viewed through the lens of human experience rather than divine decree. Ciardi employs the metaphor of tipping the applecart to signify the disruption of order, a move that led to the foundational human experience of mortality.

Ciardi quickly moves beyond the simple recounting of the tale to delve into the complexities of judgment and authority. The "paper constitution" that presumably outlines the rules of Eden is critiqued for its omission of practical realities ("Left out the party line"), implying a disconnection between the ideals of law and the lived experiences of those it governs. This theme is expanded as "tall important angels" dismiss the looming consequences of Adam's actions, declaring everything to be in order, only for the situation to escalate to Adam's expulsion by the "riot squad" in a "black chariot," a modern image that contrasts sharply with the traditional biblical setting.

The societal response to Adam's transgression is depicted in terms reminiscent of political witch hunts and social ostracization. The "Daughters of the Angelic Wars" and "Ten posts of the Angel Legion" condemn Adam, labeling him with terms that resonate with contemporary issues of censorship and moral panic ("Subversive, lewd, fanatical"). Through these descriptions, Ciardi draws parallels between Adam's story and modern instances of individuals being vilified for challenging established norms.

Adam's characterization as a "menace" and a "sin" reflects the vilification that often accompanies acts of defiance against authoritative decrees. However, Ciardi presents Adam not just as a figure of transgression but as a symbol of the human condition—cast out, yet enduring, "Outside and looking in." This image of Adam standing at the gate, observing the "fat and feasting angels," encapsulates the poem's critique of authority and its arbiters, who indulge in excess while maintaining their moral superiority.

The final image of the angels "Quoting the Law to Milton" (an allusion to John Milton, author of "Paradise Lost") and "winking at the plot" suggests a complicity and hypocrisy within the structures of power. It raises questions about the nature of law, justice, and morality, and the extent to which they serve divine wisdom or earthly agendas.

In "Ballad of How Adam Saw It," Ciardi transforms a foundational myth into a commentary on human nature, authority, and the perennial struggle for understanding and justice. Through the lens of Adam's expulsion, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of judgment, the burdens of knowledge, and the inescapable reality of living within the constraints—and possibilities—of a world marked by both divine and human imperfections.

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