Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Claude McKay's poem "Pagan Isms" reflects a deep inner conflict between the speaker's past, which was immersed in "pagan isms," and the current need for spiritual refuge and faith. Through the poem, McKay explores themes of betrayal, the search for spiritual peace, and the desire for divine guidance in a world marked by division and hatred.

The poem begins with a vivid portrayal of the speaker's former life: "Around me roar and crash the pagan 1ams, / To which most of my life was consecrate." The "pagan isms" mentioned here symbolize the ideologies, beliefs, or lifestyles that the speaker once devoted themselves to. These "pagan isms" are associated with chaos and destruction, as suggested by the words "roar" and "crash," indicating that these aspects of the speaker's past life were tumultuous and perhaps misguided. The speaker acknowledges that their life was "consecrate" to these beliefs, but now sees that they were "built on nothing more than hate." This line reveals the speaker's realization that these beliefs or ways of living were fundamentally flawed, rooted in negativity and division rather than in anything constructive or positive.

The speaker expresses a sense of betrayal: "Betrayed by evil men and torn by schisms." This suggests that the speaker's former life was not only destructive in itself but also marred by the actions of others—those who were "evil" and caused division ("schisms"). These experiences have left the speaker feeling broken, leading to the conclusion, "I cannot live my broken life without / Faith." This marks a turning point in the poem, where the speaker recognizes the need for something more stable and meaningful to hold onto—specifically, faith.

The poem then shifts to the speaker's struggle with their past: "Yet old enthusiasms like a wraith, / Do haunt me waking and when I am asleep." The "old enthusiasms" represent the remnants of the speaker's former life and beliefs, which continue to linger like ghosts ("wraith"). These past passions and ideologies still have a hold on the speaker, haunting them both in waking life and in dreams. This haunting underscores the difficulty of completely breaking away from one's past, even when it is recognized as harmful or misguided.

Seeking peace and refuge, the speaker turns to God: "And so to God I go to make my peace, / Where black nor white can follow to betray." This line suggests that the speaker seeks a spiritual sanctuary that is free from the divisions and betrayals of the material world—particularly those rooted in racial or ideological conflict ("black nor white"). The speaker expresses a desire to find solace in a place where these earthly concerns cannot intrude, where their "pent up feelings" can be released to God. This act of turning to God represents a profound search for guidance, healing, and a way forward.

The poem concludes with the speaker's hope for divine direction: "And surely He will point the proper way / of Life." The speaker places their trust in God to lead them toward a life that is true and meaningful, free from the chaos and destruction of their past. The final lines, "For He will lead me and no man, / Can violate or circumvent His plan," emphasize the speaker's faith in the ultimate authority and benevolence of God's plan. Here, the speaker finds reassurance that no human influence can undermine the divine path set before them.

"Pagan Isms" by Claude McKay captures the intense struggle between the speaker's past and present, highlighting the challenges of leaving behind a life marked by chaos and division in favor of spiritual peace and guidance. Through the poem, McKay explores the transformative power of faith and the enduring hope for redemption and direction in a world fraught with betrayal and schism

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