Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "The Book of the Dead: The Disease" is a stark and clinical exploration of the deadly impact of silicosis on the workers involved in the Gauley Bridge tunnel project. The poem's structure, which mimics a medical examination and diagnosis, serves to highlight the cold, factual nature of the disease's progression while juxtaposing it with the human suffering it causes.

The poem opens with a blunt statement: "This is a lung disease. Silicate dust makes it." This direct approach sets the tone for the rest of the piece, emphasizing the scientific and impersonal language used to describe a deeply personal and devastating affliction. The mention of "silicate dust" immediately connects the disease to the working conditions in the tunnel, where the men were exposed to high levels of silica without adequate protection.

Rukeyser employs the imagery of an X-ray examination to detail the progression of the disease. The poem guides the reader through the anatomical features visible on the X-ray, beginning with "the ribs," "the breastbone," "the heart," and "the swallowing tube, esophagus." This methodical description mirrors the clinical detachment of a medical professional, which contrasts sharply with the reality of the workers' suffering.

The X-ray reveals "mottled" lungs, described as if a "snowstorm had struck the fellow’s lungs," indicating the presence of silicate dust. The imagery of a snowstorm conveys the invasive and pervasive nature of the dust within the lungs, suggesting a relentless and inescapable affliction. The poem further describes the "fibrous tissue" and "solid scars" that develop over time, signifying the disease's advancement and the irreversible damage it causes.

As the poem progresses, the language becomes more detailed and specific, reflecting the increasing severity of the disease. The description of "blood vessels shut" and "model conglomeration" in the third stage illustrates the extent of the damage and the terminal nature of the condition. The repetition of "there and there and there, there, there" emphasizes the widespread impact of the disease across the lungs, leaving no part unaffected.

The poem includes a direct quotation from a sufferer: “It is growing worse every day. At night I get up to catch my breath. If I remained flat on my back I believe I would die.” This personal testimony adds a human dimension to the clinical description, highlighting the lived experience of those afflicted by silicosis. The phrase "choking-off in the air cells" conveys the suffocating nature of the disease, painting a vivid picture of the struggle for breath.

The repetition of "Yes" in response to questions about the symptoms and fatal nature of silicosis serves to underscore the inevitability and certainty of the disease's progression. The poem ends with the unequivocal statement that silicosis "causes death," leaving no doubt about the outcome for those who suffer from it.

Through "The Book of the Dead: The Disease," Rukeyser effectively communicates the grim reality of silicosis and the toll it takes on the human body. The clinical language and detailed descriptions serve to highlight the contrast between the detached medical perspective and the deeply personal suffering of the workers. By focusing on the disease's progression and its impact on the lungs, Rukeyser underscores the urgency and severity of the issue, compelling the reader to confront the human cost of industrial negligence and exploitation.

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