Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mythology" by Lawrence Durrell presents a collage of memories, characters, and symbolic imagery that explore the intersection of youth, desire, and the passage of time. The poem is a reflection on the past, tinged with both nostalgia and a sense of the absurdity of life.

The poem opens with a reference to "Miss Willow, secretly known as 'tit'," introducing us to a character who is both personal and mythologized within the speaker's memory. The nickname "tit" hints at a youthful irreverence, perhaps a derogatory or affectionate term used among peers. This is followed by the mention of "Plotkin who slipped on new ice / And wounded the stinks master," an incident that adds a layer of humor or tragedy to the narrative, depending on how it's interpreted. This memory is set "the winter when the ponds froze over," grounding it in a specific, nostalgic season of the past.

The phrase "Square roots of the symbol Abraham / Cut off below the burning bush" introduces a complex and layered symbol. Abraham, a figure from the Bible, is often associated with faith and sacrifice. The reference to "square roots" and "cut off below the burning bush" might symbolize a fragmentation or reduction of something sacred or foundational, perhaps reflecting a loss of innocence or the disillusionment that comes with growing up. The mention of "botany classes" and "heads / Drying between covers like rare ferns" adds a scientific and somewhat clinical tone to the reflection, juxtaposing the natural world with the sterile environment of a classroom.

The poem then shifts to a more playful and surreal tone with "tunes like 'Hips and Whores' / The song-book summed us up." This line suggests that the youthful experiences of the speaker and their peers were encapsulated in crude, perhaps sexually charged songs that mixed "reality with circumstance." The mention of "Hotchkiss cock of the walk / Top button undone, and braided cap" conjures an image of a confident, perhaps arrogant figure who embodied a certain ideal or aspiration during that time. This character, "Hotchkiss," is described as "the way and the life," borrowing language from Christian scripture to ironically elevate a youthful figure to a messianic status.

As the poem progresses, Durrell reflects on the passage of time and the disillusionment that comes with it. "What dismays is not time / Assuaging every thirst with a surprise," suggests that the unexpected turns of life, rather than the mere passage of time, are what bring disappointment. The "bitterness hidden in desiring bodies" points to the unfulfilled or thwarted desires that become apparent only with time, "unfolded strictly, governed by the germ." This line could imply that human desires and actions are ultimately controlled by biological imperatives, leaving little room for the romantic or idealistic notions of youth.

The poem takes a darker turn with the image of "Plotkin cooked like a pie in iron lungs," a grim depiction of suffering, likely referencing a medical treatment for severe respiratory illness. The mention of "glass rods the doctors dipped in burning nitrates / Dripped scalding on in private hospitals" evokes a sense of clinical detachment and the harsh realities of illness and pain, contrasting sharply with the earlier, more whimsical memories.

The poem concludes with a return to "poor 'tit' Willow," who was "Young, pretty and perhaps contemptuous / Dreaming of love," but ultimately "carried to Spain in a cage." This final image is both poignant and disturbing, suggesting that the character's youthful dreams and beauty were confined or trapped, leading to a fate that feels both tragic and inevitable.

In "Mythology," Durrell weaves together personal memories with broader symbolic references, creating a tapestry that reflects on the complexities of youth, the inevitability of time, and the often harsh realities that lie beneath the surface of our desires and dreams. The poem captures the way in which we mythologize our past, turning ordinary people and events into symbols of something greater, even as we grapple with the disillusionments that come with age.

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