Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Teachings," Robert Creeley recounts a family anecdote that holds deeper reflections on family ties, generational divides, and disillusionment. The poem centers around his grandmother, who, despite her advanced age, undertakes a journey from West Acton to Riverside, California, to reconnect with a long-lost son named Archie. The specific details—traveling by Greyhound and the mention of another uncle who arranges for a photograph to be taken by the "Globe"—paint a picture of a family rooted in both locality and personal history. These elements suggest a sense of nostalgia and a time when travel and family reunions carried significant emotional weight.

However, the reunion does not unfold as a joyful reconnection but as a bittersweet encounter, where Archie, whom she has not seen since he left at eighteen, attempts to impose his beliefs or "teach her religion." This imposition is not well received by the grandmother, who, with a mix of defiance and perhaps disappointment, deems him "as much a fool as ever." This line reveals her unyielding character and suggests that, despite the passage of time, people may remain unchanged in their stubbornness or folly. Her final decision to "never speak of him again" underscores a deep disillusionment, as though this meeting only confirmed her worst expectations.

Creeley’s retelling of this family episode is marked by a restrained tone, yet it allows the reader to sense the underlying emotional resonance. The poem speaks to the complexity of familial relationships and how they can sometimes fail to bridge the ideological or personal chasms that develop over time. The grandmother’s refusal to engage with her son after this encounter conveys her self-sufficiency and unwillingness to compromise her beliefs or identity, especially at her age.

Through the seemingly simple narrative, "Teachings" captures a nuanced view of family and the personal boundaries individuals maintain. The story of the grandmother’s journey and ultimate decision to sever ties with her son offers a poignant reflection on identity, resilience, and the limits of familial obligation. Creeley subtly suggests that even blood relations may be tested by pride, stubbornness, and unmet expectations, leaving lasting impacts on family dynamics and personal histories.

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