'Wife Killer' by Vernon Scannell
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He killed his wife at night.
He had tried once or twice in the daylight
But she refused to die.
In darkness the deed was done,
Not crudely with a hammer-hard gun
Or strangler's black kid gloves on.
She just ceased being alive,
Not there to interfere or connive,
Linger, leave or arrive.
It seemed almost as though
Her death was quite normal and no
Clue to his part would show.
So then, with impunity,
He called up that buttocky beauty
He had so long longed to see
All covering gone: the double
Joggle of warm weighty bubbles
Was sweet delirious trouble.
And all night, all night he enjoyed her;
Such sport in her smooth dimpled water;
Then daylight came like a warder.
And he rose and went down to the larder
Where the mouse-trap again had caught a
Piece of stale gorgonzola.
His wife wore her large woollen feet.
She said that he was late
And asked what he wanted to eat,
But said nothing about the murder---
And who, after all, could have told her?
He said that he fancied a kipper.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wife Killer by Vernon Scannell: A Dark Tale of Betrayal and Murder
Oh, what a haunting and gripping poem "Wife Killer" by Vernon Scannell is! It tells the story of a man who murders his wife, driven to insanity by her infidelity and betrayal. The poem is a chilling portrayal of human emotions and actions, exploring themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, imagery, and symbolism, and uncovering the poet's message and purpose.
Synopsis
"Wife Killer" is a narrative poem consisting of 15 stanzas, each with four lines. The poem opens with the speaker addressing an unknown listener, asking if they know the story of the wife killer. The speaker then proceeds to tell the story of a man who had a beautiful wife, but she betrayed him with another man.
The man becomes consumed with jealousy and rage, and one day, he kills his wife with a knife. He then flees the scene and travels to different places, haunted by his memories and guilt. The speaker describes the man's physical and mental deterioration, as he becomes a beggar, a drunkard, and a madman.
The poem ends with the speaker questioning the listener if they think the man deserved his punishment, and leaving the answer to the reader's interpretation.
Structure and Language
The structure of "Wife Killer" is simple yet effective. The poem consists of 15 quatrains, each with a rhyming scheme of ABAB. The use of quatrains creates a rhythmic flow to the poem, which enhances its storytelling quality.
The language of the poem is stark and powerful, with no unnecessary words or flourishes. The use of short and simple sentences creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is recounting a true event. The language also reflects the emotional turmoil and mental state of the protagonist, with words like "raging," "hateful," and "madness" used to describe his feelings.
Imagery and Symbolism
The imagery in "Wife Killer" is vivid and evocative, adding to the poem's emotional impact. The use of sensory details, such as the "sweet fragrance" of the wife's hair and the "metallic taste" of the knife, creates a visceral effect on the reader. The imagery also reflects the protagonist's mental state and his descent into madness, with images of "ghosts," "shadows," and "blackness" representing his inner demons.
The symbolism in "Wife Killer" is subtle yet significant. The wife's beauty and infidelity represent the dual nature of love, which can be both alluring and destructive. The knife symbolizes the protagonist's desire for revenge and his inability to control his emotions. The beggar, drunkard, and madman symbolize the protagonist's moral and social decay, as he becomes a pariah in society.
Interpretation and Critical Analysis
At its core, "Wife Killer" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy, revenge, and unchecked emotions. The protagonist's descent into madness and self-destruction reflects the consequences of acting on impulse and succumbing to base instincts. The poem also highlights the societal pressure on men to assert their dominance and control over their wives, leading to toxic masculinity and violence.
The poem's use of a third-person narrator, who speaks in a detached and objective tone, adds to the poem's moral and philosophical depth. The narrator functions as a moral compass, commenting on the protagonist's actions and leaving the interpretation to the reader. The lack of judgment or condemnation in the poem allows the reader to empathize with the protagonist's pain and suffering, while also recognizing the gravity of his crimes.
Additionally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the human condition and the fragility of love and relationships. The wife's betrayal and the protagonist's subsequent murder of her represent the ultimate betrayal of trust and intimacy. The poem suggests that humans are capable of both great love and great evil, and that the line between the two is often blurred.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Wife Killer" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores complex themes and emotions. The poem's structure, language, imagery, and symbolism all contribute to its impact and meaning. The poem serves as a warning against the dangers of jealousy and unchecked emotions, while also reflecting on the human condition and the complexities of love and betrayal. Vernon Scannell's "Wife Killer" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that will stay with the reader long after the last stanza.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wife Killer: A Haunting Poem by Vernon Scannell
Vernon Scannell's poem "Wife Killer" is a haunting and powerful piece of literature that explores the dark and twisted mind of a man who has committed a heinous crime. The poem is written in a simple yet effective style that draws the reader in and leaves them feeling disturbed and unsettled.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the man who has killed his wife. The man is described as being "quiet and unassuming," which makes the crime all the more shocking. The speaker goes on to describe the man's actions in detail, painting a vivid picture of the brutal murder.
The man is said to have "strangled her with a cord," which is a particularly gruesome detail. The use of a cord suggests that the man was not only intent on killing his wife but also took pleasure in the act of strangulation. The fact that the man is described as being "quiet and unassuming" makes this detail all the more disturbing.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to explore the man's motivations for committing such a terrible act. The man is said to have been "driven by a passion," which suggests that he was not in control of his actions. The use of the word "passion" also suggests that the man was driven by a strong emotion, perhaps jealousy or anger.
The speaker goes on to describe the man's feelings of guilt and remorse. The man is said to have "wept and prayed" after the murder, which suggests that he was aware of the gravity of his actions. The fact that the man is described as weeping and praying also suggests that he was deeply religious, which adds another layer of complexity to his character.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the man's fate. The man is said to have been "hanged by the neck until he was dead," which is a stark reminder of the severity of his crime. The fact that the man was hanged also suggests that he was not given a fair trial, which adds another layer of tragedy to the story.
Overall, "Wife Killer" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the dark and twisted mind of a man who has committed a terrible crime. The poem is written in a simple yet effective style that draws the reader in and leaves them feeling disturbed and unsettled. The use of vivid imagery and strong language creates a sense of horror and dread that lingers long after the poem has ended.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it explores the man's motivations for committing the murder. The use of the word "passion" suggests that the man was not in control of his actions, which adds a layer of complexity to his character. The fact that the man is described as weeping and praying after the murder also suggests that he was aware of the gravity of his actions, which adds another layer of tragedy to the story.
Another striking aspect of the poem is the way in which it explores the man's fate. The fact that he was hanged suggests that he was not given a fair trial, which adds another layer of tragedy to the story. The use of the word "hanged" also creates a sense of finality and closure, which adds to the overall impact of the poem.
In conclusion, "Wife Killer" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the dark and twisted mind of a man who has committed a terrible crime. The use of vivid imagery and strong language creates a sense of horror and dread that lingers long after the poem has ended. The exploration of the man's motivations and fate adds a layer of complexity and tragedy to the story, making it a truly unforgettable piece of literature.
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