Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "By Brooklyn Bridge an Elephant Stands Under the Elevated," Lawrence Ferlinghetti uses vivid imagery to critique the encroachment of corporate capitalism and the subsequent loss of natural and cultural vibrancy. The poem, inspired by Eric Drooker's painting in "The Nation", merges the natural world with the urban landscape, creating a surreal yet poignant commentary on the corporatization of society.

Ferlinghetti opens with a specific setting: "By Brooklyn Bridge / an elephant stands under the Elevated," grounding the reader in a recognizable place while introducing an exotic element with the elephant. This juxtaposition of the wild with the urban sets the tone for the poem's exploration of contrasts and conflicts. The elephant stands beneath the elevated train tracks, a symbol of civilization and industrial progress. The surreal image evokes a sense of displacement, where the natural world finds itself surrounded by an increasingly mechanized society.

The poem mentions Eric Drooker's painting in "The Nation"'s issue on "The Corporatization of the World," directly linking the visual artwork to the theme of corporate encroachment. Drooker's painting serves as a backdrop for the poem's critique, illustrating how corporate interests overshadow nature and individual creativity. In this corporate jungle, "a puma waits with shining eyes / as a train slides into view on its Elevated track." The puma, a predator of the wild, is also displaced and relegated to the fringes, symbolizing nature's precarious position.

The train moves "between empty tenements / carrying no passengers / toward the trumpeting elephant." The "empty tenements" and "no passengers" reflect a hollowed-out urban environment, suggesting depopulation and economic decline amid corporate dominance. The elephant, standing with "trunk upraised and tusks turned toward the train," becomes a symbol of defiance and resistance. Ferlinghetti notes that the elephant "seems not about to turn and run again," indicating a resolve to confront the advancing train head-on.

In this surreal landscape, a "naked nymph plays a saxophone upraised / as exotic birds flit about." The nymph, a mythological figure, represents creativity and artistic freedom. Her nakedness and music symbolize vulnerability and spontaneity in a world increasingly governed by rigid corporate norms. The exotic birds and "huge jungle vines" twining around the Elevated's stanchions add a layer of fantasy, suggesting that nature is reclaiming its place in the urban jungle.

Ferlinghetti describes how "the sun turns tropic / over green mansions," blending the urban with the tropical. "Green mansions" refers both to nature's lushness and potentially to the mansions of the wealthy, hinting at class disparities and environmental degradation. The "tropic" sun evokes a sense of heat and vitality, suggesting that despite the forces of corporatization, nature's power remains potent.

Structurally, the poem's free verse mirrors the fluid, almost chaotic nature of the imagery. Ferlinghetti's enjambment and varied line lengths create a sense of movement, reflecting the constant interplay between nature and civilization. His language is simple yet evocative, blending mythological, natural, and urban imagery to craft a rich tableau.

Ultimately, "By Brooklyn Bridge an Elephant Stands Under the Elevated" is a poignant meditation on the impact of corporate capitalism on society and the natural world. Ferlinghetti, drawing inspiration from Drooker's painting, creates a surreal landscape where nature, myth, and urban decay collide. The poem stands as a critique of corporate dominance and a celebration of nature's resilience, urging readers to recognize the interconnectedness of art, nature, and society.

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