Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Man and Wife" by Robert Lowell is a deeply personal and introspective poem that reflects on the complexities of marriage and the passage of time. The poem juxtaposes past and present moments to explore the evolution of the relationship between the speaker and his wife. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Lowell captures the intensity of their connection and the strains that have developed over the years.

The poem begins with a striking image of the couple lying on "Mother's bed," suggesting a space imbued with history and perhaps a sense of inherited expectations. The reference to being "Tamed by Miltown," a tranquilizer popular in the mid-20th century, indicates a subdued, almost numbed state. This contrasts with the "rising sun in war paint" that "dyes us red," evoking a sense of conflict and intensity beneath the surface calm. The bedposts, "abandoned, almost Dionysian," hint at a past filled with passion and excess, now left behind.

Lowell paints a picture of renewal and fleeting beauty with "the trees are green on Marlborough Street, / blossoms on our magnolia ignite / the morning with their murderous five days' white." The magnolia blossoms' brief, intense bloom mirrors the transient moments of joy and passion in their relationship. The word "murderous" suggests an underlying sense of foreboding or inevitable decay.

The poem shifts to a more intimate and supportive moment, "All night I've held your hand, / as if you had / a fourth time faced the kingdom of the mad." This implies that the speaker's wife has experienced severe mental health challenges multiple times, and the act of holding her hand symbolizes both support and the shared burden of these experiences. The "hackneyed speech" and "homicidal eye" of the kingdom of the mad convey the horror and repetition of her struggles, while "dragged me home alive" underscores the wife's strength and resilience.

The speaker's admiration and tenderness are clear in his address to his wife as "my Petite, / clearest of all God's creatures, still all air and nerve." This line conveys a deep affection and recognition of her sensitive and spirited nature. Reflecting on their younger years, the speaker recalls "outdrank the Rahvs in the heat / of Greenwich Village," highlighting a time of youthful excess and romantic intensity. His shyness and inhibition are contrasted with her "shrill verve / of your invective" that "scorched the traditional South," emphasizing her fiery and outspoken personality.

The poem then moves to the present, "Now twelve years later, you turn your back." The image of her sleeplessly holding "your pillow to your hollows like a child" suggests vulnerability and a yearning for comfort. Her "old-fashioned tirade— / loving, rapid, merciless— / breaks like the Atlantic Ocean on my head," illustrating the overwhelming and relentless nature of her expressions of love and frustration.

"Man and Wife" captures the enduring complexity of marriage, portraying moments of tenderness, conflict, and deep emotional connection. Through evocative imagery and candid reflection, Robert Lowell delves into the layers of his relationship, highlighting the interplay of past and present, passion and struggle, love and resilience. The poem stands as a testament to the intricate and often tumultuous journey of shared life and love.

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