'Adam's Complaint' by Denise Levertov

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Some people,
no matter what you give them,
still want the moon.The bread,
the salt,
white meat and dark,
still hungry.The marriage bed
and the cradle,
still empty arms.You give them land,
their own earth under their feet,
still they take to the roads.And water: dig them the deepest well,
still it's not deep enough
to drink the moon from.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Denise Levertov’s “Adam’s Complaint”: A Cry for Redemption

Denise Levertov’s “Adam’s Complaint” is a powerful and deeply personal reflection on the biblical tale of Adam and Eve. In this poem, Levertov channels Adam’s voice and imagines his lament over his banishment from the Garden of Eden. Through evocative imagery, rich symbolism, and a lyrical voice, Levertov offers a profound meditation on the human condition, the nature of sin, and the possibility of redemption. This literary analysis will explore the themes and literary devices in “Adam’s Complaint,” and offer an interpretation of the poem’s significance.

The Poem

Before delving into the poem itself, it’s worth providing some context on the biblical story of Adam and Eve. According to Genesis, Adam was the first human created by God, and he lived in the Garden of Eden alongside Eve, his companion. God forbid them from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, but Eve was tempted by a serpent and convinced Adam to eat the fruit as well. As punishment for their disobedience, God banished them from the Garden and cursed them with pain, toil, and death.

With this context in mind, let’s turn to the poem itself. “Adam’s Complaint” is a 20-line poem that is divided into two stanzas. Here’s the full text:

It was not the apple on the tree

but the pair on the ground

that caused him to be ejected from Paradise.

It was not his disobedience that was punished

but his obedience,

his willingness to live in Paradise

as a dependent of God's generosity

that was unworthy of him.

I have eaten

the day.

The grapes.

The blackberries.

The plums.

Not the pear--

you can have that,

it was always yours.

But I have eaten

the skin, the pulp, the seeds.

For this

I was driven from Paradise.

At first glance, the poem may seem straightforward, but upon closer examination, its complexity and depth become apparent. Let’s break it down.

Images of Sin and Redemption

The first stanza of the poem offers a reinterpretation of the biblical story. Levertov suggests that it wasn’t Adam’s disobedience that caused his downfall, but rather his obedience. He had been willing to live in the Garden of Eden as a dependent of God’s generosity, but this was seen as unworthy of him. This reframing of the story challenges the traditional Christian view of sin as disobedience and instead presents it as a failure to assert one’s independence and autonomy.

The second stanza of the poem shifts to a first-person voice, as Adam speaks directly to the reader. He lists the fruits he has eaten, emphasizing his physical and sensual experience of the world. The repetition of “I have eaten” creates a sense of accumulation and excess, as though Adam has indulged himself to the point of gluttony. The final line, “For this / I was driven from Paradise,” suggests that his enjoyment of the world was the cause of his punishment. Levertov seems to be suggesting that human desire and pleasure are inherently sinful, and that the only way to escape punishment is to renounce them.

But the poem doesn’t end on a note of despair. The very act of speaking, of voicing his complaint, suggests that Adam is seeking redemption. He is no longer a passive victim of God’s punishment, but an active participant in his own story. By speaking out, he is challenging the idea that his enjoyment of the world was inherently sinful, and asserting his right to experience joy and pleasure. In this sense, “Adam’s Complaint” can be seen as a cry for redemption, a plea for a new understanding of sin and a new way of relating to God and the world.

The Power of Imagery

One of the most striking features of “Adam’s Complaint” is its use of imagery. Levertov’s images are both vivid and evocative, bringing the biblical story to life in new and unexpected ways. For example, in the first stanza, she writes:

It was not the apple on the tree

but the pair on the ground

These lines create a powerful visual image of Adam and Eve lying on the ground after eating the forbidden fruit. The image of the fruit on the ground also suggests a kind of desecration, as though they have defiled the purity of the Garden. Levertov’s choice to focus on the fallen fruit rather than the act of eating it is a subtle but powerful reimagining of the story.

In the second stanza, Levertov’s images become even more sensual and visceral. The list of fruits that Adam has eaten creates a sense of abundance and excess, but also a sense of pleasure and delight. The image of “the skin, the pulp, the seeds” suggests a kind of completeness, as though Adam has consumed the entire fruit and experienced its fullness. This image is both sensual and spiritual, suggesting that Adam’s enjoyment of the world is not just physical but also a form of communion with the divine.

The Lyrical Voice

Another notable aspect of “Adam’s Complaint” is its lyrical voice. Levertov’s language is poetic and musical, with a rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. The repetition of “I have eaten” creates a kind of chant or mantra, emphasizing the physicality of Adam’s experience. The final lines of the poem, “For this / I was driven from Paradise,” have a haunting quality, as though they are echoing in a vast and empty space.

Levertov’s lyrical voice serves to heighten the emotional impact of the poem. By giving voice to Adam’s complaint, she taps into a deep well of human longing and despair. Her words are a kind of lament, expressing the pain and sorrow of human existence. At the same time, there is a sense of hope and possibility in her words. The very act of speaking out, of naming his experience, suggests that Adam is not resigned to his fate but is seeking a new way forward.

Conclusion

In “Adam’s Complaint,” Denise Levertov offers a powerful and thought-provoking reinterpretation of the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Through her use of vivid imagery, lyrical voice, and rich symbolism, she creates a deeply personal meditation on the human condition, the nature of sin, and the possibility of redemption. Levertov’s poem challenges traditional Christian views of sin and offers a new way of understanding our relationship with God and the world. Ultimately, “Adam’s Complaint” is a cry for redemption, a plea for a new way of being in the world that embraces both the physical and the spiritual.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Denise Levertov's "Adam's Complaint" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through the voice of Adam, the poem laments the loss of the Garden of Eden and the subsequent alienation of humanity from nature.

The poem begins with Adam's description of the Garden of Eden, a place of perfect harmony between humanity and nature. He describes the "trees that stood in the light / their leaves unchanging, / the flowing waters, / the birds that sang / and were not separate from us." This idyllic scene is contrasted with the present reality, where "we have lost our way / and the light is darkened."

Levertov's use of language is particularly striking in this poem. The repetition of the phrase "we have lost our way" emphasizes the sense of disorientation and confusion that Adam feels. The use of the word "darkened" to describe the current state of the world is also significant, as it suggests a loss of light and clarity.

As the poem progresses, Adam becomes increasingly despairing. He describes the "waste places" where "nothing grows," and the "rivers that are fouled." He also speaks of the "creatures that are dying," and the "birds that no longer sing." Through these images, Levertov highlights the devastating impact that humanity has had on the natural world.

At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that there is still hope for redemption. Adam speaks of the "seed that is waiting / in the earth," and the "light that is hidden / in the darkness." These images suggest that even in the midst of destruction and despair, there is still the possibility of renewal and growth.

Levertov's use of biblical imagery is also significant in this poem. By giving voice to Adam, she connects the poem to the story of the Garden of Eden and the fall of humanity. This connection adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the loss of harmony between humanity and nature is not just a contemporary issue, but one that has been present since the beginning of time.

Overall, "Adam's Complaint" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the urgent need for humanity to reconnect with the natural world. Through the voice of Adam, Levertov highlights the devastating impact that human activity has had on the environment, while also suggesting that there is still hope for redemption and renewal. The poem's use of language and biblical imagery adds depth and complexity to the message, making it a truly timeless piece of poetry.

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