Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s "Blood is Justified" is a poignant exploration of heritage, betrayal, and the inexorable drive towards self-definition and revolution. Through intricate imagery and profound reflection, the poem delves into the complex relationship between the past and the present, examining how the legacies of ancestors shape, constrain, and inspire their descendants.

The opening lines set a tone of urgency and existential contemplation: "Beat out continuance in the choking veins / before emotion betrays us, and we find / staring behind our faces, accomplices of death." Here, Rukeyser emphasizes the necessity of persevering despite the ever-present specter of mortality. The phrase "accomplices of death" suggests that inaction and passivity align us with our ultimate end, reinforcing the importance of validating our lives through action and engagement.

Rukeyser speaks of carrying survival within the brain and history within the ribs, indicating that both personal resilience and collective memory are integral to identity: "carrying in this brain survival, carrying / within these ribs, history, / the past deep in the bone." This vivid imagery highlights the intimate connection between the individual and their lineage, suggesting that one's heritage is an intrinsic part of their being.

The poem continues with a powerful metaphor of unthreading time: "Unthread time till its empty needle prick your flesh / sewing your scars with air, treating the wounds / only by laceration and the blood is fresh." This image evokes the process of revisiting and reinterpreting history, where confronting past traumas is both painful and necessary for healing and understanding.

Rukeyser reflects on the lives and ambitions of ancestors, painting a picture of their diverse experiences across different geographies: "The heavy boots kicked stones down Wisconsin roads, / Augusta Coller danced her début at Oshkosh." These vignettes capture the ordinary and extraordinary moments that comprise the tapestry of familial history. The mention of places like Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Oshkosh, alongside exotic locales such as Mexico and Canada, underscores the broad and varied roots that contribute to the speaker's identity.

The poem grapples with the notion of treason against one's heritage: "What treason to their race has fathered us?" Rukeyser confronts the reader with the idea that the very act of forging a new path can be seen as a betrayal of the past. Yet, this betrayal is framed as a necessary part of growth and evolution: "I do not say: Forgive, to my kindred dead, / only: Understand my treason, See I betray you kissing, / I overthrow your milestones weeping among your tombs."

This sense of betrayal is not out of malice but a drive to fulfill a different destiny: "From out your knowing eyes I sprang, child of your distant wombs, / of your full lips. Speaking allegiance, I turn, / steadfastly to destroy your hope." The speaker acknowledges the paradox of honoring their ancestors' sacrifices while simultaneously rejecting their expectations to pursue their own path.

Rukeyser meditates on the idea of American identity, shaped by the contributions and sacrifices of diverse ancestors: "How much are we American? Not knowing / those other lands, being / blood wrung from your bone, our pioneers." This line captures the tension between acknowledging one’s roots and forging a unique, contemporary identity.

The poem concludes with a powerful affirmation of the present generation's mission: "By these roads shall we come upon our country. / Pillowed upon this birthright, we may wake / strong for such treason, brave with your fallen dust." Here, Rukeyser envisions a future built upon the foundations laid by the past, yet unafraid to challenge and redefine it.

The final lines, "we turn from treasons, we shall accomplish these," suggest a reconciliation of sorts, where the speaker's revolutionary actions are seen as a continuation rather than a rejection of their heritage. This complex interplay between honoring the past and embracing the future encapsulates the essence of Rukeyser’s poem.

"Blood is Justified" is a profound meditation on heritage, identity, and progress. Through her evocative language and introspective tone, Rukeyser invites readers to consider the ways in which their histories shape their present and how they can honor their ancestors by forging new paths. The poem underscores the importance of understanding and accepting the dualities of our existence as we navigate the complexities of life and legacy.

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