Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "The Animals" reflects on the fate of animals after the closure of Eden, intertwining themes of innocence, loss, and the harsh realities of survival that emerged in a post-Edenic world. Through vivid imagery and poignant questions, the poem explores the transition from a state of peace and harmony to one of violence and survival, examining how the animals adapted to a world fundamentally altered by the fall of humanity.

The poem opens with a juxtaposition between the present-day image of a "suckling pig" turning on a spit and the tender moment of a horse eating from the speaker's hand. These contrasting images—one of violence and consumption, the other of gentleness and trust—immediately set up the tension between the idyllic world of Eden and the brutal realities that followed its closure. The speaker's contemplation of these images leads to a broader reflection on the fate of the animals who, unlike Adam and Eve, "stole no fruit themselves" and were thus innocent of the original sin that led to Eden's downfall.

Pastan then imagines the animals' plight after Eden was lost: "After feeding so long / from Adam’s outstretched hand / and sleeping under the mild stars, / flank to flank, / what did they do on freezing nights?" Here, the animals are depicted as once existing in a state of harmony and dependency, relying on Adam's care and the gentle climate of Eden. The sudden shift to a world where "freezing nights" and harsh conditions exist highlights the profound loss of innocence and security that the animals, too, must have experienced. The poem suggests that the animals, once ignorant of "nests and lairs," were unprepared for the new challenges they faced and may have sought warmth and protection in the unfamiliar environment of the fallen world.

The poem then delves into the animals' adaptation to this new world: "And how did they learn to sharpen / fangs and claws? Who taught them / the first lesson: that flesh / had been transformed to meat?" These lines grapple with the emergence of predation and violence among the animals, marking a stark departure from the peaceful coexistence they once knew. The rhetorical questions emphasize the tragic necessity of survival that forced the animals to develop new, violent behaviors—a transformation that underscores the broader theme of loss and the corruption of an originally pure existence.

The mention of "Tiger and Bear, Elk and Dove" serves as a reminder that all animals, regardless of their nature, were affected by this transformation. The poem then references religious symbolism, noting that "God saved them places on the Ark," and that "Christ would honor them with / parables, calling himself the Lamb of God." These lines acknowledge the animals' enduring presence in religious narratives, where they are often portrayed as symbols of purity, sacrifice, and divine care. Despite the harshness of their post-Edenic existence, the animals retain a sacred significance in these stories.

In the final stanza, Pastan shifts the focus to the contemporary relationship between humans and animals: "We train our dogs in strict obedience / at which we failed ourselves." This line critiques the irony that while humans often impose strict discipline on animals, they themselves have failed to maintain the moral obedience that led to the fall from Eden. The poem then evokes the chilling sounds of "barking" that "fills the night like distant artillery," likening it to the bellowing of steers being led to slaughter. This comparison draws a direct parallel between the violence faced by animals in the modern world and the loss of Eden, where the gates "swing / shut on them, as Eden’s did."

The poem's closing lines leave the reader with a haunting image of the continued suffering of animals in a world where innocence has been lost and violence has become a necessity for survival. The reference to "Eden’s [gates]" swinging shut serves as a powerful metaphor for the irreversible change that the fall from grace brought to all of creation, including the animals who were once part of a harmonious existence.

In "The Animals," Linda Pastan poignantly explores the consequences of the fall of Eden on the animal kingdom, reflecting on the loss of innocence, the emergence of violence, and the complex relationship between humans and animals in a post-Edenic world. Through her evocative language and probing questions, Pastan invites readers to consider the deep connections between religious narratives, the natural world, and the moral responsibilities we bear toward the creatures with whom we share this transformed world.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...