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THEORY OF FLIGHT: THE LYNCHINGS OF JESUS, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Muriel Rukeyser’s "Theory of Flight: The Lynchings of Jesus" is an intricate and powerful poem that blends historical reflection, social critique, and an exploration of human ambition and resilience. Through vivid and often unsettling imagery, Rukeyser examines the cyclical nature of violence and oppression, the role of revolutionary figures, and the enduring struggle for justice and freedom.

The poem is divided into three sections: "Passage to Godhead," "The Committee-Room," and "The Trial," each presenting a different facet of the overarching themes.

In "Passage to Godhead," Rukeyser begins with a stark depiction of crucifixion and suffering: "Passage to godhead, fitfully glared upon / by bloody shinings over Calvary." The imagery of "mild thighs split by the spearwound, opening / in fierce gestation of immortality" draws a parallel between physical suffering and the birth of enduring legacies. This section reflects on the repeated martyrdom of figures throughout history who have challenged power structures, from Icarus to Jesus, and emphasizes the eternal return of such cycles of rebellion and suppression: "eternal defeat by power, eternal death / of the soul and body in murder or despair / to be followed by eternal return."

Rukeyser evokes the memory of revolutionary figures like Bruno, Copernicus, Shelley, and Karl Marx, acknowledging their contributions to human progress while lamenting the persistent nature of crucifixions and martyrdoms: "We love our lives, and the crucifixions come." The poem critiques the societal tendency to suppress dissent and innovation, symbolized by "benevolent bugles smother rebellion’s song."

"The Committee-Room" shifts focus to the bureaucratic and detached processes that perpetuate violence and injustice. Rukeyser’s depiction of the voting men, tired and hungry from their day of decisions, highlights the banality of evil and the disconnect between policymakers and the consequences of their actions. The surreal imagery of a foggy room and the dispassionate recounting of deaths and tragedies underscore the dehumanization inherent in such bureaucratic settings.

This section also explores the erasure and manipulation of history and identity: "One day we voted on whether he was Hamlet / or whether he was himself and yesterday / I cast the deciding vote to renounce our mouths." The notion of renouncing one’s voice reflects the loss of individuality and agency, a recurring theme in Rukeyser's critique of societal structures. The committee's power is underscored by their ability to determine life and death arbitrarily: "We are powerful now: we vote / death to Sacco a man’s name / and Vanzetti a blood-brother; death to Tom Mooney."

In "The Trial," Rukeyser vividly captures the atmosphere of a Southern town during a trial, blending elements of natural beauty with the harsh realities of systemic racism and injustice. The contrast between the "green with coming spring" and the violent events within the courthouse creates a jarring dichotomy. The poem references historical and contemporary instances of racial injustice and persecution, from John Brown and Nat Turner to the Scottsboro Boys: "Nine dark boys spread their breasts against Alabama, / schooled in the cells, fathered by want."

Rukeyser’s language here is both lyrical and confrontational, as she describes the trial as a microcosm of broader societal conflicts: "all our celebrated shambles are repeated here: now again / Sacco and Vanzetti walk to a chair." The poem’s conclusion calls for an embrace of contradictions and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all things: "Earth, include sky; air, be stable to our / feet, which have need of stone and iron stance."

The final lines of the poem merge the imagery of flight with the call for liberation and transcendence: "Shout to us: See! / the wind! / Shout to us: / FLY." This call to action encapsulates the poem’s message of resilience and the enduring human spirit's quest for freedom and justice, despite the cyclical nature of oppression.

"Theory of Flight: The Lynchings of Jesus" is a powerful and multifaceted work that challenges readers to reflect on the past and present struggles for justice, the mechanisms of power and control, and the eternal aspiration for liberation and transcendence. Through her masterful use of imagery and historical references, Rukeyser creates a tapestry of human experience that resonates with timeless themes of suffering, rebellion, and hope.


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