Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Image in the Forum" by Robert Williams Buchanan is a satirical poem that criticizes the worship of money and power in society, using religious imagery to convey its message. The poem contrasts the figure of Christ with a twisted version called "Christus-Jingo," who embodies the vices of greed, deceit, and oppression.

The speaker rejects the worship of "Christus-Jingo," stating that he is not Baal, an ancient deity associated with false idols, but a corrupted representation of Christ. The poem highlights the wounds and suffering endured by Christ during his crucifixion, but instead of representing redemption and compassion, the wounds are transformed into symbols of power and dominance. Christus-Jingo is depicted as holding a Money-bag and Sword, representing wealth and force.

The speaker sarcastically describes the worship of Christus-Jingo, mocking the idea that people from different religious backgrounds, including Christians, Jews, and atheists, would unite in their devotion to this distorted figure. The poem criticizes the hypocrisy of those who cheat in financial transactions but then engage in religious rituals, suggesting that their worship is empty and insincere.

The poem also addresses the loss and appropriation of the Jewish heritage and the name of Jesus Christ. The speaker laments that Christus-Jingo has usurped the name and significance of Jesus, betraying the teachings of gentleness and righteousness associated with him. The worship of this false idol represents a departure from the true essence of Christ and a rejection of his teachings.

"Image in the Forum" is a scathing critique of the materialistic and oppressive values prevalent in society. Through its use of religious imagery, the poem condemns the worship of wealth, power, and deception, highlighting the stark contrast between the principles of Christ and the distorted figure of Christus-Jingo.

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