'In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned' by James Wright
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I will grieve alone,
As I strolled alone, years ago, down along
The Ohio shore.
I hid in the hobo jungle weeds
Upstream from the sewer main,
Pondering, gazing.I saw, down river,
At Twenty-third and Water Streets
By the vinegar works,
The doors open in early evening.
Swinging their purses, the women
Poured down the long street to the river
And into the river.I do not know how it was
They could drown every evening.
What time near dawn did they climb up the other shore,
Drying their wings?For the river at Wheeling, West Virginia,
Has only two shores:
The one in hell, the other
In Bridgeport, Ohio.And nobody would commit suicide, only
To find beyond death
Bridgeport, Ohio.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned" by James Wright: An Exploration
James Wright’s poem, “Poetry, In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned,” is a thought-provoking and emotive piece of literature. The poem takes a unique perspective on the story of the oldest whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, and its eventual condemnation. Wright’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and he succeeds in exploring themes of isolation, nostalgia, and the passing of time.
Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is essential to understand its historical and cultural context. The poem was written in 1978, at a time when the United States was undergoing significant social and political changes. The country was still reeling from the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal had caused a crisis of faith in the government.
Against this backdrop, Wright’s poem takes on an added significance. The oldest whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, represents a relic of a bygone era, a time before the sexual revolution and the feminist movement. The fact that the whorehouse has been condemned speaks to a changing moral landscape, one in which the traditional patriarchal power structures are being dismantled. Wright’s poem can be seen as a meditation on this shift and a reflection on the passing of time.
Analysis
The poem begins with a powerful image, as Wright describes the rumor of the whorehouse’s condemnation:
In response to a rumor that the oldest whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, has been condemned by the state, we have gathered here today, brothers and sisters,
The use of “brothers and sisters” is significant, as it immediately establishes a sense of community among the speaker and the readers. Wright positions the readers as part of a group that is responding to the rumor, and this sense of solidarity is maintained throughout the poem.
The poem then shifts into a series of evocative images, as Wright describes the building:
to chant, loudly and with feeling, a curse against the state of West Virginia, its officers, its legislature, and its citizens.
The emphasis on “feeling” is crucial, as it underscores the emotive nature of the poem. The speaker and the readers are not simply reciting a curse; they are doing so with passion and conviction. The curse itself is directed at the state, its officers, legislature, and citizens, who have all played a role in the whorehouse’s condemnation. This condemnation is seen as a betrayal of the community and a rejection of its values.
The poem then takes a poignant turn, as Wright describes the women who worked in the whorehouse:
And may the Oldest Whorehouse in Wheeling, which is now no longer a whorehouse, but a flower shop named Petals by Irene, be visited by the ghost of the Virginia Gentlemen and the spirit of Stonewall Jackson, who will burn forever in the empty eyes of the women who sold their bodies there.
The contrast between the flower shop and the whorehouse is significant, as it underscores the drastic change that has taken place. The use of the phrase “Oldest Whorehouse in Wheeling” is key, as it invokes a sense of history and tradition. The fact that the whorehouse is now a flower shop named Petals by Irene speaks to the passage of time and the erosion of the community’s values.
The mention of the Virginia Gentlemen and Stonewall Jackson is also significant, as it ties the poem to the history of the region. Jackson was a Confederate general who fought in the Civil War, and his spirit represents the region’s history and cultural heritage. The Virginia Gentlemen were a group of men who fought for Virginia’s secession from the Union, and their ghost represents the region’s sense of identity and tradition.
The final image of the women with “empty eyes” is heartbreaking, as it captures the sense of loss and isolation that they must feel. The burning of the Virginia Gentlemen and Stonewall Jackson in their eyes is a powerful image, as it suggests that the women are haunted by the ghosts of the past.
The poem concludes with a call to action:
And may they burn Petals by Irene to the ground, and salt the earth around it, so that nothing may ever grow again.
This call to action is striking, as it suggests a sense of anger and frustration towards the changes that have taken place. The burning and salting of the earth is a metaphor for the destruction of the community’s values and traditions. The fact that the speaker and the readers are calling for this destruction is a reflection of their sense of powerlessness and isolation.
Interpretation
Wright’s poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader’s perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a lament for a lost way of life. The whorehouse represents a time before the sexual revolution, when traditional gender roles and power structures were more firmly entrenched. The fact that the whorehouse has been condemned represents a rejection of these values, and the poem can be seen as a nostalgic longing for their return.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a critique of the societal structures that led to the creation of the whorehouse in the first place. The fact that the women who worked there are now left with “empty eyes” suggests that they were exploited and abused. The burning of the whorehouse and the salting of the earth can be seen as a metaphor for the destruction of these exploitative structures.
Still, another interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The fact that the whorehouse has been turned into a flower shop named Petals by Irene suggests that time and progress march on, regardless of the community’s wishes. The burning and salting of the earth can be seen as a futile attempt to stop the march of progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, James Wright’s poem, “Poetry, In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned,” is a powerful and emotive piece of literature. The poem explores themes of isolation, nostalgia, and the passing of time, and it does so with a masterful use of language and imagery. The poem’s historical and cultural context adds an additional layer of significance, as it speaks to the changes and upheavals that were taking place in the United States in the late 1970s. Ultimately, the poem’s meaning is open to interpretation, but its emotional impact is undeniable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned is a classic poem written by James Wright. This poem is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of a place that is about to be lost forever. The poem is a response to a rumor that the oldest whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, has been condemned. The poem is a tribute to the place and the people who lived there.
The poem begins with the speaker hearing a rumor that the oldest whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, has been condemned. The speaker is saddened by the news and decides to visit the place before it is lost forever. The speaker describes the place as a "shabby frame house" that is "crumbling to the ground." The speaker also describes the people who lived there as "old women" who were "tired and broken."
The poem is a beautiful tribute to the place and the people who lived there. The speaker describes the place as a "shabby frame house" that is "crumbling to the ground." The speaker also describes the people who lived there as "old women" who were "tired and broken." The speaker's description of the place and the people who lived there is both sad and beautiful.
The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. The speaker describes the people who lived in the whorehouse as "tired and broken." The speaker's description of the people who lived there is a commentary on the human condition. The poem is a reminder that we are all human and that we all have our struggles.
The poem is also a commentary on the passage of time. The speaker describes the place as a "shabby frame house" that is "crumbling to the ground." The speaker's description of the place is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. The poem is a reminder that everything is temporary and that we should cherish the moments that we have.
The poem is also a commentary on the power of memory. The speaker describes the place as a "shabby frame house" that is "crumbling to the ground." The speaker's description of the place is a reminder that memories are powerful. The poem is a reminder that memories can last a lifetime and that they can bring us comfort in times of sadness.
The poem is a beautiful tribute to a place and the people who lived there. The poem is a reminder that we are all human and that we all have our struggles. The poem is a reminder that nothing lasts forever and that we should cherish the moments that we have. The poem is a reminder that memories are powerful and that they can bring us comfort in times of sadness.
In conclusion, Poetry In Response To A Rumor That The Oldest Whorehouse In Wheeling, West Virginia, Has Been Condemned is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of a place that is about to be lost forever. The poem is a tribute to the place and the people who lived there. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, the passage of time, and the power of memory. The poem is a reminder that we should cherish the moments that we have and that memories are powerful.
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