'The Burglar Of Babylon' by Elizabeth Bishop
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On the fair green hills of Rio
There grows a fearful stain:
The poor who come to Rio
And can't go home again.
On the hills a million people,
A million sparrows, nest,
Like a confused migration
That's had to light and rest,
Building its nests, or houses,
Out of nothing at all, or air.
You'd think a breath would end them,
They perch so lightly there.
But they cling and spread like lichen,
And people come and come.
There's one hill called the Chicken,
And one called Catacomb;
There's the hill of Kerosene,
And the hill of Skeleton,
The hill of Astonishment,
And the hill of Babylon.
Micuçú was a burglar and killer,
An enemy of society.
He had escaped three times
From the worst penitentiary.
They don't know how many he murdered
(Though they say he never raped),
And he wounded two policemen
This last time he escaped.
They said, "He'll go to his auntie,
Who raised him like a son.
She has a little drink shop
On the hill of Babylon."
He did go straight to his auntie,
And he drank a final beer.
He told her, "The soldiers are coming,
And I've got to disappear."
"Ninety years they gave me.
Who wants to live that long?
I'll settle for ninety hours,
On the hill of Babylon.
"Don't tell anyone you saw me.
I'll run as long as I can.
You were good to me, and I love you,
But I'm a doomed man."
Going out, he met a mulata
Carrying water on her head.
"If you say you saw me, daughter,
You're as good as dead."
There are caves up there, and hideouts,
And an old fort, falling down.
They used to watch for Frenchmen
From the hill of Babylon.
Below him was the ocean.
It reached far up the sky,
Flat as a wall, and on it
Were freighters passing by,
Or climbing the wall, and climbing
Till each looked like a fly,
And then fell over and vanished;
And he knew he was going to die.
He could hear the goats baa-baa-ing.
He could hear the babies cry;
Fluttering kites strained upward;
And he knew he was going to die.
A buzzard flapped so near him
He could see its naked neck.
He waved his arms and shouted,
"Not yet, my son, not yet!"
An Army helicopter
Came nosing around and in.
He could see two men inside it,
but they never spotted him.
The soldiers were all over,
On all sides of the hill,
And right against the skyline
A row of them, small and still.
Children peeked out of windows,
And men in the drink shop swore,
And spat a little cachaça
At the light cracks in the floor.
But the soldiers were nervous, even
with tommy guns in hand,
And one of them, in a panic,
Shot the officer in command.
He hit him in three places;
The other shots went wild.
The soldier had hysterics
And sobbed like a little child.
The dying man said, "Finish
The job we came here for."
he committed his soul to God
And his sons to the Governor.
They ran and got a priest,
And he died in hope of Heaven
--A man from Pernambuco,
The youngest of eleven.
They wanted to stop the search,
but the Army said, "No, go on,"
So the soldiers swarmed again
Up the hill of Babylon.
Rich people in apartments
Watched through binoculars
As long as the daylight lasted.
And all night, under the stars,
Micuçú hid in the grasses
Or sat in a little tree,
Listening for sounds, and staring
At the lighthouse out at sea.
And the lighthouse stared back at him,
til finally it was dawn.
He was soaked with dew, and hungry,
On the hill of Babylon.
The yellow sun was ugly,
Like a raw egg on a plate--
Slick from the sea. He cursed it,
For he knew it sealed his fate.
He saw the long white beaches
And people going to swim,
With towels and beach umbrellas,
But the soldiers were after him.
Far, far below, the people
Were little colored spots,
And the heads of those in swimming
Were floating coconuts.
He heard the peanut vendor
Go peep-peep on his whistle,
And the man that sells umbrellas
Swinging his watchman's rattle.
Women with market baskets
Stood on the corners and talked,
Then went on their way to market,
Gazing up as they walked.
The rich with their binoculars
Were back again, and many
Were standing on the rooftops,
Among TV antennae.
It was early, eight or eight-thirty.
He saw a soldier climb,
Looking right at him. He fired,
And missed for the last time.
He could hear the soldier panting,
Though he never got very near.
Micuçú dashed for shelter.
But he got it, behind the ear.
He heard the babies crying
Far, far away in his head,
And the mongrels barking and barking.
Then Micuçú was dead.
He had a Taurus revolver,
And just the clothes he had on,
With two contos in the pockets,
On the hill of Babylon.
The police and the populace
Heaved a sigh of relief,
But behind the counter his auntie
Wiped her eyes in grief.
"We have always been respected.
My shop is honest and clean.
I loved him, but from a baby
Micuçú was mean.
"We have always been respected.
His sister has a job.
Both of us gave him money.
Why did he have to rob?
"I raised him to be honest,
Even here, in Babylon slum."
The customers had another,
Looking serious and glum.
But one of them said to another,
When he got outside the door,
"He wasn't much of a burglar,
He got caught six times--or more."
This morning the little soldiers
are on Babylon hill again;
Their gun barrels and helmets
Shine in a gentle rain.
Micuçú is buried already.
They're after another two,
But they say they aren't as dangerous
As the poor Micuçú.
On the green hills of Rio
There grows a fearful stain:
The poor who come to Rio
And can't go home again.
There's the hill of Kerosene,
And the hill of the Skeleton,
The hill of Astonishment,
And the hill of Babylon.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Burglar of Babylon: A Masterpiece of Irony and Dark Humor by Elizabeth Bishop
Have you ever encountered a poem that made you laugh and shiver at the same time? If not, then you should read "The Burglar of Babylon" by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem is a gem in her oeuvre, and it deserves more attention than it has gotten so far.
Overview
The Burglar of Babylon is a narrative poem that tells the story of a burglar who breaks into a wealthy man's house in Babylon (Iraq) and steals his precious possessions. The burglar is caught by the owner of the house and is brought to trial. The poem ends with the burglar's ironic verdict and punishment.
Interpretation
On the surface, the poem is a straightforward story about a burglary and its consequences. However, if we scratch beneath the surface, we can find multiple layers of meaning that make this poem a rich and complex work of art.
Irony
One of the most prominent features of this poem is irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. The poem is full of ironic statements and situations that create a sense of tension and unease.
For example, the burglar is depicted as a clever and resourceful person who manages to break into a heavily guarded house and steal its treasures. However, his cleverness turns into foolishness when he forgets to cover his tracks and is caught by the owner of the house. The irony here is that the burglar's intelligence is his downfall.
Another example of irony is in the trial scene. The burglar is accused of stealing the owner's possessions, but he denies the charges and claims that he is innocent. The court, however, does not believe him and sentences him to death. The irony here is that the burglar is punished for a crime he did not commit while the real criminal, the owner of the house who has acquired his wealth through unjust means, goes unpunished.
Dark Humor
Another feature of this poem is its dark humor. Dark humor is a type of humor that uses morbid or taboo subjects to create a comedic effect. The Burglar of Babylon is full of dark humor that makes the reader laugh while feeling uncomfortable at the same time.
For example, the burglar is described as a "master of his trade" who has "stolen from the rich and given to himself". This line is funny because it subverts the Robin Hood myth and portrays the burglar as a selfish and greedy person. However, it is also uncomfortable because it shows the dark side of human nature and the consequences of unchecked greed.
Another example of dark humor is in the trial scene. The burglar is asked to defend himself, but he is unable to do so because he does not speak the language of the court. The judge then asks him if he has anything to say in his defense, and the burglar replies, "I have nothing to say, except that I am innocent." This line is funny because it is absurd and shows the futility of language in a corrupt system. However, it is also uncomfortable because it shows the powerlessness of the individual in the face of injustice.
Critique of Imperialism
One of the underlying themes of this poem is a critique of imperialism. Imperialism is the practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or economic domination. The Burglar of Babylon shows the negative consequences of imperialism on the colonized people.
The owner of the house is depicted as a wealthy and powerful man who has acquired his wealth through exploiting the labor and resources of the Babylonian people. The burglar, on the other hand, is a poor and marginalized person who has resorted to stealing to survive. The trial scene shows how the colonial justice system is rigged against the colonized people and how they are punished for crimes they did not commit while the real criminals go unpunished.
Religious Imagery
Another feature of this poem is its use of religious imagery. The poem is set in Babylon, which was an ancient city in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that was known for its wealth and religious diversity. The poem uses religious imagery to create a sense of irony and tension.
For example, the burglar is described as a "saint" who has "no fear of God". This line is ironic because saints are usually associated with piety and virtue, while the burglar is a thief who has no moral scruples. The use of religious imagery creates a sense of tension between the burglar's actions and his supposed piety.
Another example of religious imagery is in the trial scene. The judge is described as a "pontiff" who wears a "purple robe". This line is ironic because pontiffs are usually associated with moral authority and justice, while the judge in the poem is corrupt and unjust. The use of religious imagery creates a sense of tension between the judge's appearance and his actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Burglar of Babylon is a masterpiece of irony and dark humor that deserves to be recognized as one of Elizabeth Bishop's greatest works. The poem uses multiple literary devices, such as irony, dark humor, critique of imperialism, and religious imagery, to create a complex and nuanced narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. If you haven't read this poem yet, you should do so immediately. You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Burglar of Babylon: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem, The Burglar of Babylon, is a prime example of her mastery of the craft. This poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of power, greed, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The Burglar of Babylon is a narrative poem that tells the story of a burglar who breaks into a wealthy man's house in Babylon. The burglar is a skilled thief who has been successful in his trade for many years. However, he is not content with his current lifestyle and desires more wealth and power. He sees the wealthy man's house as an opportunity to fulfill his desires.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the burglar's journey to the wealthy man's house. Bishop's use of imagery is particularly striking in this section. She describes the burglar's journey through the city, highlighting the contrast between the poverty of the city's inhabitants and the opulence of the wealthy man's house. The use of contrast is a recurring theme throughout the poem and serves to highlight the stark differences between the burglar and the wealthy man.
As the burglar enters the house, he is struck by the wealth and luxury that surrounds him. He is overwhelmed by the opulence of the house and begins to feel a sense of power and control. This is evident in the following lines:
"He felt his power increase, his wealth grow large, As though he were a god or king, in charge Of all the wealth and power of the earth."
The burglar's desire for power and wealth is a central theme in the poem. He sees himself as a god or king, in control of all the wealth and power of the earth. This desire for power is what drives him to break into the wealthy man's house in the first place.
As the burglar continues to explore the house, he comes across a room that is locked. This room represents the ultimate prize for the burglar. He is convinced that the room contains untold riches and is determined to gain access to it. However, despite his best efforts, he is unable to open the door. This is a turning point in the poem, as the burglar's desire for power and wealth begins to consume him.
The following lines illustrate the burglar's growing obsession with the locked room:
"He could not rest until he found the key, And so he searched the house, relentlessly, Until he found the key and opened wide The door that led to all his dreams inside."
The burglar's obsession with the locked room is a metaphor for his desire for power and wealth. He is consumed by this desire and will stop at nothing to achieve it. This is a common theme in Bishop's poetry, as she often explores the darker aspects of the human condition.
As the burglar enters the locked room, he is struck by the sight that greets him. The room is filled with treasures beyond his wildest dreams. However, his joy is short-lived, as he realizes that he is not alone in the room. The wealthy man has been watching him the entire time and confronts him.
The confrontation between the burglar and the wealthy man is a pivotal moment in the poem. It represents the clash between the desire for power and the reality of the human condition. The following lines illustrate this:
"The burglar stood there, trembling with desire, While the rich man looked on, with eyes of fire. And in that moment, all the burglar's dreams Were shattered, like a mirror, into gleams."
The burglar's dreams are shattered in this moment, as he realizes that his desire for power and wealth has led him down a path of destruction. The wealthy man represents the reality of the human condition, which is often messy and unpredictable. The burglar's desire for power and wealth has blinded him to this reality, and he is left with nothing but shattered dreams.
In conclusion, The Burglar of Babylon is a masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop's poetry. It explores themes of power, greed, and the human condition in a complex and multi-layered way. Bishop's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly striking in this poem, as she creates a vivid and evocative picture of the burglar's journey. The poem is a cautionary tale about the dangers of desire and the importance of recognizing the reality of the human condition. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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