Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Fete" by Larry Eigner captures moments of innocence, fear, discovery, and a surreal blend of everyday experiences with the looming backdrop of conflict. This brief poem uses vivid imagery and juxtaposition to reflect on the ways in which children's perceptions evolve in response to their experiences and the wider world around them.

The poem begins by setting a scene where children are initially frightened by the intense crescendos in movie scenes, which mimic the threatening approach of cars. This reaction highlights their initial innocent interpretation of cinematic effects, where loud and sudden noises are directly associated with fear and danger.

However, the poem quickly transitions as the children discover "love" through comedy—a genre that typically involves exaggerated expressions of human emotion and often resolves in humor rather than fear. Eigner uses this shift from fear to humor to illustrate a broader emotional learning curve for the children as they navigate through different emotions elicited by the movies.

The phrase "the cheeks blew music rises and continues" evokes an image of laughter and light-heartedness, likely a metaphor for the children's newfound joy and understanding of the comedic elements in film. It suggests a release of tension and the transformative power of laughter.

Eigner then extends the imagery to the natural world, mentioning "the sea does," which may imply that just like music, the sea continues its natural, rhythmic movement—unending and oblivious to human fears or joys. This could symbolize the constancy and indifference of nature to human affairs.

The final line, "and there were no accidents today the bombs showered us in the air," shifts the tone dramatically. It juxtaposes the innocence of the earlier scene with a harsh reminder of the broader, more dangerous world outside the children’s cinematic experience. The mention of bombs "showering" paradoxically as if benign like rain, introduces an element of war or conflict, starkly contrasting with the earlier themes of discovery and laughter.

This stark contrast serves to highlight the innocence of childhood amidst the realities of a troubled world. The children, absorbed in their discovery of comedy and love, remain unaware of the greater dangers that exist, thus painting a poignant picture of the blissful yet fragile nature of innocence.

Overall, Eigner’s poem is a concise yet powerful commentary on the phases of understanding and emotion that children go through, set against the backdrop of a world filled with both laughter and danger. It explores themes of innocence, emotional growth, and the harsh intrusions of reality, all woven seamlessly into a few compact, evocative lines.

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