Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Revolutionary," Lawrence Ferlinghetti blends the themes of love, revolution, and historical memory to create a vivid and symbolic portrayal of revolutionary ideals. Using the metaphor of fire and light, the poem evokes the enduring spirit of revolutionaries and their ideals, even when far removed from the physical spaces that symbolize their struggles.

The poem opens with the line, "Like a blind one at the frontiers," which immediately suggests a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. This "blind one" may represent the revolutionary spirit or the individual revolutionary, searching for direction at the borders of unknown territories. The reference to "Far from Vorovsky Street" and "Far from the street of Kropotkin" places the poem within a historical context, specifically referencing locations named after significant revolutionary figures (Vatslav Vorovsky and Peter Kropotkin). The distance from these symbolic streets suggests a temporal and geographical gap between contemporary times and the revolutionary past.

The line "Long after Pasternak and Lara" refers to Boris Pasternak, the Russian author of "Doctor Zhivago", and his character Lara, who embodies love and resilience amid political upheaval. By invoking Pasternak and Lara, Ferlinghetti introduces a romantic and idealistic element, highlighting how revolutionary ideals can persist through love and art despite historical disillusionment.

"A blind flame springs up / Far from the street of Kropotkin" symbolizes the persistence of revolutionary ideals despite the passage of time and distance from their origins. This "blind flame" represents the passion and spirit of revolution, burning fiercely yet unpredictably. Ferlinghetti elaborates on this metaphor, writing, "a blind fire burns in the heart of crystal / like the flame in the heart of a flower." The "heart of crystal" and the "heart of a flower" evoke images of purity and fragility, suggesting that the revolutionary spirit is both delicate and resilient.

The subsequent similes, "like a broken blade in a stone / like the broken light in fields of wheat," reinforce the theme of fragmentation. The "broken blade" implies a weapon rendered useless, while "broken light in fields of wheat" suggests a fractured yet enduring vision of prosperity. Together, these images illustrate the complexities of revolutionary ideals, where hope and despair coexist.

Ferlinghetti then returns to the motif of light: "Far from the street of Kropotkin / like a lantern swung in the high wind / that swept the snow." Here, the lantern signifies guidance and clarity amid chaos, yet it is "swung in the high wind," suggesting instability. The wind "swept the snow / that covered the stars of blood / in the street of Kropotkin," blending imagery of purity (snow) with violence (blood). This metaphor indicates the way in which revolutionary ideals are often obscured or forgotten in the face of harsh realities.

The poem concludes with the line, "Her eyes aflame in his heart," providing a romantic and hopeful resolution. The "her" is ambiguous but could refer to Lara or a symbolic female figure representing the revolutionary spirit. The metaphor of "eyes aflame" suggests passion, vision, and determination, while "in his heart" implies that this flame continues to burn within those who carry the ideals forward. Despite the distance from the original sites of revolution, this spirit endures in the hearts of those who believe in it.

Structurally, the poem uses repetition and parallelism to reinforce its central themes. The refrain "Far from the street of Kropotkin" serves as a constant reminder of the temporal and spatial gap between the ideals of the past and the present reality. Ferlinghetti's use of metaphor and simile adds layers of meaning, allowing readers to interpret the imagery in multiple ways.

Overall, "Revolutionary" is a poetic meditation on the persistence and complexity of revolutionary ideals. Ferlinghetti uses historical references, symbolism, and imagery to explore how these ideals endure despite distance and disillusionment. The poem serves as a reminder that the revolutionary spirit can continue to burn brightly, even far from the places where it was first ignited.

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