Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Adrienne Rich's poem "What Ghosts Can Say" delves into the haunting presence of memories, particularly those related to familial trauma and unresolved emotions. Through the narrative of Harry Wylie encountering his father's ghost, Rich explores themes of fear, authority, and the elusive nature of understanding past events.

The poem begins with a vivid depiction of a supernatural encounter: "When Harry Wylie saw his father's ghost, / As bearded and immense as once in life, / Bending above his bed long after midnight." This scene sets a tone of fear and confrontation, as the ghost's presence is both imposing and familiar. Harry's reaction—screaming and gripping his pillow—captures the visceral terror of the moment, which is dismissed by his aunts as a mere dream: "Till aunts came hurrying white in dressing gowns / To say it was a dream. He knew they lied."

Rich emphasizes the tangible reality of the ghostly visitation through sensory details: "The smell of his father's leather riding crop / And stale tobacco stayed to prove it to him." These lingering scents serve as "tokens" of the ghost's presence, reinforcing Harry's belief that the encounter was real and significant. The ghost's appearance, and the residual smells, suggest a continuation of the father's authority and presence beyond death.

The poem delves deeper into the character of Harry's father, revealing a man of serious demeanor and strict discipline: "His father always had meant serious business, / But never so wholly in his look and gesture / As when he beat the boy's uncovered thighs / Calmly and resolutely, at an hour / When Harry never had been awake before." This depiction of punishment and control underscores the father's dominance and the fear he instilled in his son.

Rich reflects on the lasting impact of these childhood experiences: "The man who could choose that single hour of night / Had in him the ingredients of a ghost; / Mortality would quail at such a man." The father's deliberate choice of timing for the punishment—an unusual hour when Harry was unaccustomed to being awake—highlights the calculated nature of his authority. This ability to command such fear and obedience is what makes the father an enduring figure in Harry's psyche, even after death.

As Harry grows older, he grapples with the meaning of these past events: "An older Harry lost his childish notion / And only sometimes wondered if events / Could echo thus long after in a dream." This line suggests a shift from a child's unquestioning belief in the ghost to an adult's more skeptical reflection on the past. Harry's struggle to understand the significance of his father's actions—"But why the actual punishment had fallen, / For what offense of boyhood, he could try / For years and not unearth"—reveals the enduring mystery and pain of unresolved childhood trauma.

The poem's conclusion raises profound questions about memory, meaning, and the nature of fear: "What ghosts can say— / Even the ghosts of fathers—comes obscurely. / What if the terror stays without the meaning?" Rich suggests that the lingering terror of past experiences can remain even when their specific causes are forgotten or unclear. This enduring fear, detached from its original context, underscores the complexity of human emotions and the challenge of reconciling with one's past.

"What Ghosts Can Say" by Adrienne Rich is a haunting exploration of the interplay between memory and fear, authority and trauma. Through the story of Harry Wylie and his father's ghost, Rich delves into the profound impact of childhood experiences on the adult psyche, highlighting the persistent and often enigmatic nature of emotional wounds. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories and the ways in which past events continue to shape their present lives.

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