'The Dead' by Philip Levine

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A good man is seized by the police
and spirited away. Months later
someone brags that he shot him once
through the back of the head
with a Walther 7.65, and his life
ended just there. Those who loved
him go on searching the cafés
in the Barrio Chino or the bars
near the harbor. A comrade swears
he saw him at a distance buying
two kilos of oranges in the market
of San José and called out, "Andrés,
Andrés," but instead of turning
to a man he'd known since child-
hood and opening his great arms
wide, he scurried off, the oranges
tumbling out of the damp sack, one
after another, a short bright trail
left on the sidewalk to say,
Farewell! Farewell to what? I ask.
I asked then and I ask now. I first
heard the story fifty years ago;
it became part of the mythology I
hauled with me from one graveyard
to another, this belief in the power
of my yearning. The dead are every-where, crowding the narrow streets
that jut out from the wide boulevard
on which we take our morning walk.
They stand in the cold shadows
of men and women come to sell
themselves to anyone, they stride
along beside me and stop when I
stop to admire the bright garlands
or the little pyramids of fruit,
they reach a hand out to give
money or to take change, they say
"Good morning" or "Thank you," they
turn with me and retrace my steps
back to the bare little room I'vecome to call home. Patiently,
they stand beside me staring out
over the soiled roofs of the world
until the light fades and we are
all one or no one. They ask for
so little, a prayer now and then,
a toast to their health which is
our health, a few lies no one reads
incised on a dull plaque between
a pharmacy and a sports store,
the least little daily miracle.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Philip Levine's "The Dead"

Are you ready to explore the haunting beauty of Philip Levine's "The Dead"? This classic poem, published in 1979, tells the story of a dead man's journey through the underworld, and it is both chilling and deeply moving. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and language used in this powerful work of poetry.

The Theme of Mortality

One of the most prominent themes in "The Dead" is, of course, mortality. The poem opens with the lines, "The dead are always looking down on us, they say," immediately establishing the idea that death is a constant presence in our lives. Throughout the poem, we see the dead man's journey through the underworld, encountering other souls who have passed on. This journey is both physical and psychological, as the dead man reflects on his life and his relationship to death.

Levine's exploration of mortality is both universal and deeply personal. He draws on his own experiences of loss, as well as his Jewish heritage, to create a powerful meditation on the meaning of life and death. As he writes in the poem's final stanza:

And the dead know what they are doing
When they leave this world behind.
They give, so to speak,
A backwards gift of sight
Seeing themselves standing
Beautifully beside the door.

Here, he suggests that death is not simply an end, but a transition to a new state of being. The dead have a different perspective on life, and they can offer us insight into our own mortality.

The Symbolism of Water

Another important element of "The Dead" is the symbolism of water. Throughout the poem, we see water used as a metaphor for life, death, and the passage of time. For example, the dead man crosses a river on his journey, and Levine writes:

The water was dark, opaque, and alive
With the sound of the river,
Which was like the sound of a crowd
Moving slowly through the street.

Here, the river represents the boundary between life and death, and the sound of the water evokes the passage of time. Later in the poem, we see the dead man submerged in water, which could represent a kind of rebirth or renewal.

Water is also associated with memory and reflection. Levine writes:

The dead man looked down
Into the water and saw his face
Reflected there,
And the face was younger
And more beautiful than he remembered.

Here, the water serves as a mirror, reflecting the dead man's memories of his past self. The fact that his reflection is "more beautiful" than he remembers suggests that memory can be distorted by time and by the knowledge of our own mortality.

The Language of Loss

Finally, let's take a closer look at Levine's use of language in "The Dead." This poem is a masterclass in the power of language to evoke emotion and create meaning. Throughout the poem, Levine uses vivid, sensory language to capture the experience of loss and the passage of time.

For example, he writes:

The dead man saw the leaves
Falling from the trees,
And each leaf was like a life
Falling gently to the ground.

Here, the falling leaves represent the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The image of each leaf being like a life is both beautiful and devastating, emphasizing the fragility and transience of our existence.

Levine also uses repetition and anaphora to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. For example, he writes:

The dead are always looking down on us, they say,
While we are putting on our shoes or making a sandwich,
They are looking down through the glass bottom boats of heaven
As they row themselves slowly through eternity.

Here, the repetition of "they are looking down" and "through eternity" creates a sense of motion and progression, as if the dead are constantly moving forward in their journey through the afterlife.

In conclusion, "The Dead" is a powerful, haunting poem that explores the themes of mortality, memory, and loss. Through its use of symbolism, language, and vivid imagery, it captures the beauty and fragility of life, and offers a glimpse into the mysteries of the afterlife. As you read this poem, allow yourself to be moved by its beauty and its wisdom, and take comfort in the knowledge that even in death, we are never truly alone.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry The Dead: A Masterpiece by Philip Levine

Poetry The Dead is a masterpiece by Philip Levine, an American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1995. The poem is a poignant reflection on the power of poetry to transcend death and to connect us with the past. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the power of poetry to bring the dead back to life. He imagines the dead rising from their graves and gathering around him, drawn by the power of his words. He says:

"Sometimes I think the dead are with us, that they watch us always, that they know all our secrets."

This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the relationship between the living and the dead, and the role that poetry plays in bridging that gap.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. The speaker describes poetry as a "magic spell" that can bring the dead back to life. He says:

"Poetry is a magic spell that can bring the dead back to life, that can make the past present again."

This stanza is significant because it highlights the power of poetry to transcend time and to connect us with the past. It also suggests that poetry has a kind of mystical quality, a power that is beyond our understanding.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the role of the poet. The speaker suggests that the poet is a kind of medium, a conduit between the living and the dead. He says:

"The poet is a medium, a channel for the voices of the dead, a bridge between the living and the dead."

This stanza is significant because it suggests that the poet has a special role to play in our society. The poet is not just a writer of words, but a kind of spiritual guide who can help us to connect with our ancestors and with the past.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker suggests that memory is a kind of magic, a way of bringing the dead back to life. He says:

"Memory is a magic spell, a way of bringing the dead back to life, of making them present again."

This stanza is significant because it suggests that memory is a powerful tool for connecting us with the past. It also suggests that memory is not just a passive process, but an active one, a way of bringing the dead back to life.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of language. The speaker suggests that language is a kind of magic, a way of creating reality. He says:

"Language is a magic spell, a way of creating reality, of making the world come alive."

This stanza is significant because it suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but a way of shaping our understanding of the world. It also suggests that language has a kind of creative power, a power that can bring the world to life.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of poetry to connect us with the dead. The speaker suggests that poetry is a kind of bridge that can span the gap between the living and the dead. He says:

"Poetry is a bridge, a way of connecting us with the dead, of bringing them back to life."

This stanza is significant because it brings together all of the themes of the poem. It suggests that poetry is not just a tool for communication, but a way of connecting us with our ancestors and with the past. It also suggests that poetry has a kind of mystical power, a power that can bring the dead back to life.

In terms of imagery, the poem is full of powerful and evocative images. The image of the dead rising from their graves is particularly striking, as is the image of the poet as a medium, a channel for the voices of the dead. The poem also makes use of a number of metaphors, such as poetry as a magic spell, memory as a magic spell, and language as a magic spell.

In terms of language, the poem is simple and direct, with a clear and straightforward style. The language is also very evocative, with a strong sense of rhythm and sound. The repetition of the phrase "magic spell" throughout the poem is particularly effective, as it reinforces the idea of poetry as a kind of mystical force.

In conclusion, Poetry The Dead is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between the living and the dead, and the role that poetry plays in bridging that gap. Through its use of imagery and language, the poem suggests that poetry has a kind of mystical power, a power that can bring the dead back to life and connect us with our ancestors and with the past. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the written word.

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