Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "The Book of the Dead: Mearl Blankenship" is a poignant portrayal of a worker’s experience during the construction of the Gauley Bridge tunnel in West Virginia. The poem captures the personal anguish and the systemic neglect that plagued the workers involved in this project. Through Blankenship's narrative, Rukeyser highlights themes of suffering, injustice, and the struggle for recognition and relief.

The poem begins with a stark image of Blankenship standing against a stove, facing the fire, surrounded by loud machines. This imagery immediately sets the tone of hardship and isolation. The lack of warmth and the cacophony of machinery reflect both the physical and emotional coldness of his environment. The repetitive nature of his work and the ever-present noise symbolize the relentless and unfeeling nature of industrial labor.

Blankenship’s description of his symptoms—waking up choking and his wife rolling him over to help him breathe—illustrates the severe health issues caused by silicosis, a disease resulting from inhaling silica dust. This condition, prevalent among tunnel workers, represents the physical toll of their labor. The recurring nightmare of a “tunnel choked” and a “dark wall coughing dust” underscores the trauma and helplessness Blankenship feels, trapped in a cycle of suffocation and despair.

The poem shifts to Blankenship's letter, a direct plea for help. Addressed to an unspecified recipient, possibly a newspaper or a city official, the letter serves as a testament to his suffering and a call for justice. The informal, almost conversational tone of the letter contrasts sharply with the gravity of its content, emphasizing Blankenship’s desperation and lack of formal education.

In his letter, Blankenship recounts his work with the Rinehart & Dennis Co., detailing the dangerous conditions in the tunnel. The dust was so thick that it obscured the lights, creating an environment where visibility and breathing were severely compromised. Despite these hazardous conditions, workers were compelled to continue their labor under the threat of losing their jobs. The reference to Mr. Andrews, a deceased boss, and Blankenship’s own lingering existence highlights the mortality rate among the workers and the precariousness of his own life.

The poem's imagery of Blankenship standing against the rock, facing the river, with his grey face matching the mottled rock behind him, evokes a sense of being consumed by his environment. This visual metaphor suggests that the worker has become indistinguishable from the very materials that are killing him, underscoring the dehumanizing effect of industrial labor.

Blankenship’s recounting of his physical decline—losing eighteen pounds and expecting to lose his life—captures the grim reality faced by many workers. His attempts to seek compensation through legal means have been thwarted, as evidenced by his frustration with the lawyers who settled his case without consulting him. This legal betrayal adds another layer of injustice to his plight, highlighting the systemic exploitation of workers not only by their employers but also by those who are supposed to represent their interests.

The poem concludes with a plea for help, both for himself and his family. Blankenship’s invocation of God underscores his desperation and the hope that some higher power might intervene where human institutions have failed. The repetition of his request for assistance—"if you can do anything for me let me know soon"—is a poignant reminder of his dire situation and the urgency of his need.

In "Mearl Blankenship," Rukeyser masterfully combines personal narrative with broader social commentary. The poem serves as a powerful indictment of the industrial practices that prioritize profit over human life and the legal systems that fail to protect the most vulnerable. Through Blankenship’s story, Rukeyser gives voice to the silenced and forgotten workers, shedding light on their struggles and calling for justice and recognition.

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