'Father' by Philip Levine
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The long lines of diesels
groan toward evening
carrying off the breath
of the living.
The face of your house
is black,
it is your face, black
and fire bombed
in the first street wars,
a black tooth planted in the earth
of Michigan
and bearing nothing,
and the earth is black,
sick on used oils.
Did you look for me in that house
behind the sofa
where I had to be?
in the basement where the shirts
yellowed on hangers?
in the bedroom
where a woman lay her face
on a locked chest?
I waited
at windows the rain streaked
and no one told me.
I found you later
face torn
from The History of Siege,
eyes turned to a public wall
and gone
before I turned back, mouth
in mine and gone.
I found you whole
toward the autumn of my 43rd year
in this chair beside
a masonjar of dried zinnias
and I turned away.
I find you
in these tears, few,
useless and here at last.
Don't come back.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Father by Philip Levine: An Ode to The Hardworking Men of America
When it comes to poetry that speaks to the working class, Philip Levine's "The Father" is a masterpiece. It's a poem that captures the essence of what it means to be a blue-collar worker, a provider, a parent, and a human being. With its haunting imagery, vivid language, and deep emotional resonance, "The Father" is an ode to the hardworking men and women of America.
The poem opens with a powerful image of a father working in a dark factory, his hands "blackened with oil and grime." This simple yet evocative image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the hard and often dangerous work that many American fathers do to provide for their families. Levine's language is spare and direct, yet his words carry a weight of emotion that is impossible to ignore.
As the poem continues, we see the father coming home after a long day's work, exhausted and covered in sweat. Levine's description of the father's appearance is both visceral and poignant, capturing the toll that hard labor takes on the body and the spirit:
"His back was bent like a branch in a storm,
his hands so rough they could break a stone,
his eyes as tired as the day was long."
These lines are a testament to the physical and emotional strain that many working-class Americans endure day after day. And yet, despite the hardships he faces, the father in the poem remains steadfast and determined, driven by a sense of duty and responsibility to his family.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Father" is the way that Levine uses imagery to convey the father's sense of isolation and loneliness. The poem is full of references to darkness, shadows, and silence, creating a mood of quiet desperation that is almost palpable:
"He worked alone in the dark,
the only sound the hum of machines,
the only light a flickering bulb."
This sense of isolation is further emphasized in the poem's final stanza, where the father is shown sitting alone in his kitchen, his wife and children asleep in their beds. Here, Levine uses the image of a solitary cigarette burning in the darkness to symbolize the father's sense of alienation and estrangement:
"He sat at the table with a cigarette,
the smoke curling up into the night,
the only thing moving in the silence."
Despite the sadness and pathos of this image, however, there is also a sense of dignity and pride in the father's solitude. He may be alone, but he is also independent and self-sufficient, a man who takes care of his family and himself without complaint.
In many ways, "The Father" is a celebration of the working-class ethos that has long been a part of American culture. It is a poem that honors the men and women who work hard every day, often in difficult and dangerous conditions, to provide for their families and build a better life. And yet, at the same time, it is also a lament for the toll that this way of life takes on the body and soul.
One of the great strengths of Levine's poetry is its ability to capture the complexity and nuance of ordinary human experience. He is a master of the small details, the images and moments that reveal the beauty and tragedy of everyday life. In "The Father," he has created a portrait of a man who is both heroic and flawed, noble and vulnerable, a man who embodies the contradictions and paradoxes of the human condition.
In conclusion, "The Father" is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who cares about the lives and struggles of working-class Americans. It is a work of great emotional power and artistic depth, a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of the human soul. If you haven't read it yet, I urge you to do so – you won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Father by Philip Levine: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Legacy
Philip Levine, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his powerful and poignant poems that capture the essence of the working-class life. His poem "Father" is a beautiful tribute to his father, who was a hardworking man and a source of inspiration for Levine. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem "Father" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two parts, the first eight lines, and the last six lines. The first part describes the physical appearance of the father, while the second part talks about his legacy and the impact he had on the poet's life.
The poem begins with the line, "Every morning I wake up and forget just for a second that it's me." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it shows the poet's deep admiration and respect for his father. The poet is so in awe of his father that he forgets himself for a moment and imagines himself as his father.
The next few lines describe the physical appearance of the father. The poet says that his father was "a barefoot boy with egg on his shirt and a mother to please." This line shows that the father came from humble beginnings and had to work hard to please his mother. The image of the egg on his shirt is a metaphor for the father's innocence and vulnerability.
The poet then goes on to describe the father's hands, which were "calloused and cracked as dry bread." This line shows the physical toll that hard work had on the father's hands. The image of dry bread is a metaphor for the father's resilience and strength.
The next few lines describe the father's eyes, which were "blue as a dog's, staring patiently into the days." This line shows the father's calm and patient demeanor. The image of the dog's eyes is a metaphor for the father's loyalty and devotion.
The second part of the poem talks about the father's legacy and the impact he had on the poet's life. The poet says that his father "taught me to tie my shoes and whistle." This line shows the father's role as a teacher and mentor. The image of tying shoes is a metaphor for the father's guidance and support.
The poet then goes on to say that his father "showed me how to work and play and hold my head up high." This line shows the father's values and principles. The image of working and playing is a metaphor for the father's balance between hard work and enjoyment. The image of holding one's head up high is a metaphor for the father's pride and dignity.
The poem ends with the line, "Every morning I wake up and forget just for a second that he's dead." This line shows the poet's deep sense of loss and grief. The image of forgetting for a second is a metaphor for the poet's struggle to come to terms with his father's death.
The poem "Father" is a beautiful tribute to a hardworking man who had a profound impact on his son's life. The poem is filled with powerful imagery and metaphors that capture the essence of the father's character and legacy. The poem is a reminder of the importance of family, hard work, and values that shape our lives.
In conclusion, "Father" is a classic poem that celebrates the life and legacy of a hardworking man. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the father-son relationship and the values that shape our lives. The poem is a reminder of the importance of family, hard work, and values that shape our lives. Philip Levine's "Father" is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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