Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan’s poem "The Seven Deadly Sins" offers a vivid and insightful exploration of each of the classical sins—Avarice, Pride, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Envy, and Anger—by personifying them in ways that are both relatable and unsettling. Through the use of rich imagery and a conversational tone, Pastan delves into the complex emotions and motivations behind these vices, revealing the ways in which they manifest in everyday life and the human psyche.

Avarice: The poem begins with Avarice, where Pastan references the myth of King Midas, who was granted the ability to turn everything he touched into gold—a power that ultimately led to his downfall. The speaker dismisses the cautionary tale as "just allegory," insisting that in modern times, they would embrace such a gift: "Give me that touch. / I'll take my chances." This reflects a contemporary perspective where the allure of wealth and material gain overshadows the lessons of the past. The speaker’s casual dismissal of the consequences highlights the insidious nature of greed, which can blind individuals to the true costs of their desires.

Pride: In the section on Pride, the speaker describes swallowing their pride repeatedly, comparing themselves to the biblical whale that swallowed Jonah. The pride, like Jonah, remains within, waiting to be released. The speaker suggests that when they finally "spit him out," everyone will take notice. This metaphor captures the way pride often festers internally, growing until it demands recognition. The speaker's anticipation of a dramatic release suggests that pride is not easily contained and, when it surfaces, it can be a spectacle, demanding attention and admiration.

Gluttony: Gluttony is portrayed through the speaker's preoccupation with food, even while they are still eating. The act of considering the next meal while finishing the current one illustrates the endless cycle of desire and consumption. The speaker's casual offering of the "smaller portion of dessert" to someone else is not out of generosity but because they are already preoccupied with their own indulgence. The image of covering the dessert with cream adds a layer of richness, symbolizing the excess and self-indulgence that defines gluttony.

Lust: Lust is depicted through the metaphor of a candle lit between the speaker's thighs, a symbol of desire and sexual longing. The invitation to "blow it out" is directed at someone whose physical attributes, such as the "down so new on your face," evoke both youth and virility. The speaker’s attraction is immediate and visceral, sparked by a mundane act of kindness—lifting groceries into a car. This portrayal of lust emphasizes its sudden, overwhelming nature, driven by physical attraction and the thrill of potential intimacy.

Sloth: Sloth is illustrated through a lazy, indifferent attitude, where the speaker likens themselves to the slow-moving sloth, too tired to even look up information when asked. The reference to the sloth as a "small mammal, slow moving" ties the speaker’s own lethargy to the animal’s defining characteristics. This section captures the essence of sloth as a sin of inaction, where the speaker’s lack of motivation and energy prevents them from engaging fully with the world around them.

Envy: Envy is personified through the memory of a green silk scarf that the speaker’s cousin owned, which matched her "green eyes flecked with gold." The speaker's mother tries to console her by emphasizing the quality of her own scarf—pure merino wool—and by suggesting that "boys would want to marry girls like me." However, this does little to quell the speaker's envy, which is rooted in the perceived superiority of the cousin’s beauty and possessions. The focus on material and superficial comparisons highlights how envy can erode self-esteem and contentment, leading to feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

Anger: The final section, Anger, is perhaps the most intense. The speaker addresses someone who suggests that releasing anger is healthy and might tame it. However, the speaker rejects this advice, describing their anger as a "rabid thing, sharpening its teeth on my very bones." This metaphor vividly conveys the destructive nature of suppressed anger, which gnaws away at the speaker from within. The comparison to a pet dog with "canines dull with disuse" contrasts with the speaker’s own fierce and uncontrollable anger, which they fear will turn on them if unleashed.

In "The Seven Deadly Sins," Linda Pastan explores the complexity of human emotions and desires through the lens of these classical vices. Each sin is given a distinct voice, revealing the subtle ways they infiltrate daily life and the inner struggles they provoke. The poem serves as both a reflection on human nature and a cautionary tale, illustrating how these sins can take root in the mind and heart, influencing behavior and shaping identity. Pastan’s masterful use of metaphor and imagery brings these abstract concepts to life, making them tangible and relatable to the reader.

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