Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Durrell's poem "Adam" is a deeply introspective and symbolic exploration of the biblical story of the first man, Adam, as he grapples with the consequences of tasting the forbidden fruit and the existential fears that arise from his newfound knowledge. The poem captures the tension between innocence and awareness, the burden of consciousness, and the inevitable confrontation with the unknown that comes with the Fall. Through rich imagery and a voice filled with anxiety and longing, Durrell reimagines the story of Adam in a way that emphasizes the psychological and spiritual dimensions of his experience.

The poem begins with Adam’s confession: "I have nibbled the mystical fruit. Cover me." This line immediately places the reader in the aftermath of the Fall, with Adam having already partaken of the forbidden fruit. The use of "nibbled" suggests a tentative act, as if Adam was aware of the gravity of his action even as he performed it. His plea to be covered indicates a desire to hide from the consequences of his newfound knowledge, echoing the biblical narrative where Adam and Eve cover themselves in shame after realizing their nakedness.

The next line, "Lest the prophetic fish follow and swallow me," introduces a sense of foreboding. The "prophetic fish" may symbolize a divine or inevitable force, perhaps fate or judgment, that now threatens to consume Adam. The image evokes the idea of being overwhelmed by the consequences of his actions, unable to escape the fate that has been set in motion.

Adam's fear is palpable as he expresses his reluctance to "tread among the lilies," despite the softness of "lambswool" underfoot. The lilies, often symbols of purity and innocence, now represent something he feels unworthy or afraid to approach. The presence of the "adder" and "the Word" walking in the orchard suggests that the garden, once a place of harmony, is now filled with ominous signs of the divine and the dangerous. The voices and hands that "hallow" Adam as he moves through the orchard emphasize his newfound status as a being marked by both divine favor and profound responsibility.

The line "Thy will be done as it was in Eden" reinforces the idea that Adam’s current state is part of a divine plan, yet his fear and uncertainty are palpable. He reflects on the time spent "naked among silver fish and shadows," a reference to the innocence and unselfconsciousness of life before the Fall. This period is described as "a long time and in silence naked," suggesting both the peacefulness and the fragility of that existence, now lost. The natural elements—the fountains, the hornet’s drum, the dew—are infused with a sense of life and vitality that contrasts with the fear and awareness Adam now feels.

Adam declares himself "of singular manufacture," highlighting his unique creation by God, composed of "a little clay, water, and prophetic breath." This acknowledgment of his origins emphasizes his connection to the divine, but also his vulnerability. He describes himself as "a lamp of red clay" on the waters of chaos, suggesting that his existence is a fragile light in the vastness of disorder, with the "Word" owning him, dictating his purpose and fate.

The poem then introduces the figure of Eve, with Adam expressing his fear: "The rib follows me everywhere: and everywhere / A shadow follows the rib." This suggests that Eve, created from Adam’s rib, is inextricably linked to him, yet her presence also brings with it a shadow, possibly representing the consequences of their shared disobedience. Adam’s fear of the "Host," the "unknowable Thing" that walks in the shade of the baobab tree, reflects his anxiety about the divine presence and the judgment that might follow their transgression.

Adam’s plea to Eve—"O cover me / From the unthinkable razor of thought"—underscores his fear of the awareness and knowledge that the forbidden fruit has brought. The "razor of thought" represents the sharp, painful awareness that cuts through his previous innocence, leaving him exposed to the harsh realities of existence. Adam’s final realization is that they are "in this thing to the very end," acknowledging that he and Eve are bound together in facing the consequences of their actions.

The poem concludes with a mix of resignation and a return to the fateful act: "Ah! but the apple, the apple was good!" This closing line suggests that despite the fear, the consequences, and the loss of innocence, there is an acknowledgment of the pleasure and allure of the forbidden fruit. It reflects the complexity of the human condition—an awareness that with knowledge and experience comes both pain and pleasure, and that these are inseparable aspects of life.

In "Adam," Durrell delves deep into the psyche of the first man, portraying him as a figure caught between divine purpose and human frailty. The poem is a meditation on the burden of knowledge, the loss of innocence, and the existential fears that arise from the human condition. Through Adam’s voice, Durrell explores the tension between the sacred and the profane, the divine and the mortal, creating a powerful reflection on the consequences of choice and the inevitable passage from innocence to awareness.

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