Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mrs Sisyphus" by Carol Ann Duffy is a humorous and sardonic piece from her collection "The World's Wife," which reimagines the stories of the wives of famous historical, mythical, or literary figures. In this poem, Duffy gives a voice to the wife of Sisyphus, a character from Greek mythology who was condemned to roll a huge boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he reached the top, repeating this process for eternity as punishment from the gods.

The poem captures Mrs. Sisyphus's exasperation and irritation with her husband's endless and futile task. Duffy uses colloquial language and a sharp, mocking tone to convey the wife's frustration, painting a picture of a domestic life overshadowed by Sisyphus’s absurd punishment. She refers to her husband disparagingly as "the jerk," "the berk," "a dork," and describes his endless labor with a mix of anger and mockery.

The enormous stone Sisyphus must push is humorously compared to the size of a "kirk" (Scottish word for church), emphasizing the absurdity and enormity of his task. Mrs. Sisyphus's frustration is palpable as she recounts the ridiculousness of the situation, pointing out that the stone is "no sooner up than it’s rolling back all the way down." Her life is disrupted by this never-ending task, rendering normal activities and pleasures impossible, as indicated by her exasperated claim about not even having "the time to pop open a cork or go for so much as a walk in the park."

The poem also touches on the public's reaction to Sisyphus's punishment—people come from miles to gawk, thinking it's a quirky spectacle or a bit of fun ("a bit of a lark"). Mrs. Sisyphus’s sardonic remark that it’s "A load of old bollocks" further underscores her no-nonsense attitude and her dismissal of any romantic or heroic notions others might project onto Sisyphus's plight.

Through Mrs. Sisyphus’s perspective, Duffy explores themes of futility and the human condition. Sisyphus's meaningless toil is a metaphor for existential dread and the absurdity of human endeavors, while Mrs. Sisyphus’s commentary highlights the impact of such existential struggles on personal relationships and domestic life.

In essence, "Mrs Sisyphus" critiques the glorification of futile labor and challenges the romanticism often associated with eternal punishment in mythology. Duffy's portrayal is both comedic and poignant, offering insight into the neglected experiences of those who live in the shadow of grand narratives. Through the poem, Duffy invites readers to consider the mundane, often overlooked consequences of legendary tales, giving a voice to those who must deal with the fallout of mythic proportions.

POEM TEXT: https://genius.com/Carol-ann-duffy-mrs-sisyphus-annotated

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