Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"That Evening at Dinner" by David Ferry is a poignant narrative poem that delves into the profound complexities of aging, disability, and the subtle yet significant shifts in social interactions that accompany these changes. Through a meticulously detailed scene of a dinner party, Ferry captures the tension between the physical realities of decline and the enduring dignity and resilience of the human spirit.

The poem begins by setting the stage with an elderly woman's struggle with mobility, marked by a noticeable increase in "heaviness" or "inertia in the body." This isn't just a physical description but a profound reflection on how aging and disability can feel—a rebellion of the body against the will, where "the walking itself had become less willing." Ferry introduces the concept of the body's resistance, anthropomorphizing it as possessing a "stupid demogorgon blind / Recalcitrance," resentful of the mind and spirit's dominion.

As the narrative unfolds at the Bromells' apartment, the scene is meticulously set. The woman is helped across various thresholds—literal and metaphorical—from the car to the apartment, up the elevator, and finally to a chair at the dinner party. Each movement is labored, reflecting her physical state and the effort required by her and her helpers to navigate these spaces. The description of her being seated "a little too far away from the nearest table, / At the edge of the abyss" metaphorically amplifies the isolation and vulnerability felt by those experiencing disability or decline in old age.

The dinner setting becomes a microcosm for exploring deeper social dynamics and the discomfort that often accompanies visible disability. The woman's presence "exposed, her body the object of our attention" forces the guests to navigate a "new principle of social awkwardness." This is further complicated by the "marvelous finesse" required in their tones during conversation, highlighting the delicate balance between acknowledging her condition and maintaining a semblance of normalcy.

Ferry's description of the woman's smile, which appears as if she had tasted something "delicious," underscores a poignant contrast between her physical constraints and her attempts to project graciousness and charm. Her character shines through, despite the physical manifestations of her disability.

The setting, detailed with "ranged bookshelves" and "windows monitored by Venetian blinds," symbolizes order and control, juxtaposing the uncontrollable aspects of her physical condition. The blinds, which "can be raised or lowered" at will, ironically comment on the lack of control she has over her own body.

Ferry weaves literary references into the narrative, notably invoking Dr. Johnson’s reflections on the human condition, to deepen the thematic resonance. Johnson's quote on the "chasms infinitely deep" and "infinite vacuities" in the scale of being echoes the existential gaps the woman might feel as she confronts the "disruption of this union with / Visible nature."

The dinner, described in vibrant, life-affirming colors with "fresh greens, and reds, / And yellows," contrasts sharply with the mention of "ashes to be eaten, and dirt to drink." This stark imagery serves as a reminder of mortality and the inevitable decay all humans face, despite the ephemeral pleasures of life.

In conclusion, "That Evening at Dinner" is a masterful exploration of the human condition through the lens of aging and social etiquette. David Ferry offers a narrative rich with emotional depth, social insight, and poetic finesse, encapsulating the dignity, complexity, and inherent contradictions of human life as it moves inexorably toward its twilight.

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