'The Mercy' by Philip Levine
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The ship that took my mother to Ellis Island
Eighty-three years ago was named "The Mercy."
She remembers trying to eat a banana
without first peeling it and seeing her first orange
in the hands of a young Scot, a seaman
who gave her a bite and wiped her mouth for her
with a red bandana and taught her the word,
"orange," saying it patiently over and over.
A long autumn voyage, the days darkening
with the black waters calming as night came on,
then nothing as far as her eyes could see and space
without limit rushing off to the corners
of creation. She prayed in Russian and Yiddish
to find her family in New York, prayers
unheard or misunderstood or perhaps ignored
by all the powers that swept the waves of darkness
before she woke, that kept "The Mercy" afloat
while smallpox raged among the passengers
and crew until the dead were buried at sea
with strange prayers in a tongue she could not fathom.
"The Mercy," I read on the yellowing pages of a book
I located in a windowless room of the library
on 42nd Street, sat thirty-one days
offshore in quarantine before the passengers
disembarked. There a story ends. Other ships
arrived, "Tancred" out of Glasgow, "The Neptune"
registered as Danish, "Umberto IV,"
the list goes on for pages, November gives
way to winter, the sea pounds this alien shore.
Italian miners from Piemonte dig
under towns in western Pennsylvania
only to rediscover the same nightmare
they left at home. A nine-year-old girl travels
all night by train with one suitcase and an orange.
She learns that mercy is something you can eat
again and again while the juice spills over
your chin, you can wipe it away with the back
of your hands and you can never get enough.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mercy by Philip Levine: A Critique
Have you ever read a poem that stopped you in your tracks? That made you pause and reflect on your own life? That’s what happened to me when I first read “The Mercy” by Philip Levine. The poem’s simple language and structure belies its emotional depth, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and awe.
Overview
“The Mercy” is a poem about the difficult lives of fishermen in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The poem is set in the winter, a time when the lake is frozen over and the fishermen must work in extreme conditions. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the fishermen’s lives.
In the first part, the speaker describes the fishermen as they work on the frozen lake. The speaker describes the men as “hunched like old women” and “half in love with easeful death.” These descriptions suggest that the men are tired and worn down by their work, but that they also find some sort of satisfaction in it.
In the second part, the speaker describes the same fishermen as they drink in a local bar. The speaker describes the men as “shouting vulgarities” and “laughing like young girls.” These descriptions suggest that the fishermen are letting loose and enjoying themselves after a hard day’s work.
In the third and final part, the speaker describes the mercy that the fishermen show to each other. The speaker describes one of the men as “falling suddenly into the lake” and the others coming to his rescue. The speaker then describes the men as they “carry him up the hill” and “lay him down” to warm by the fire. These descriptions suggest that the men have a deep sense of community and care for each other.
Themes
One of the main themes of “The Mercy” is the struggle of the working class. The poem portrays the fishermen as hardworking but worn down by their work. The men find satisfaction in their work, but also experience hardship and exhaustion. The poem suggests that the working class is often forgotten or overlooked, despite their contribution to society.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of community. The fishermen in the poem rely on each other for survival and support. When one of them falls into the lake, the others come to his rescue and care for him. The poem suggests that a sense of community and care for others is essential for human survival and flourishing.
Language and Structure
One of the most striking things about “The Mercy” is its simple language and structure. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or regular meter. The language is straightforward and accessible, with few metaphors or obscure references.
Despite its simplicity, however, the language and structure of the poem convey a deep sense of emotion and meaning. The repetition of phrases like “hunched like old women” and “half in love with easeful death” create a sense of rhythm and depth. The lack of punctuation in some sections of the poem, such as “shouting vulgarities laughing like young girls,” creates a sense of chaos and wildness.
Conclusion
“The Mercy” is a powerful poem that explores the lives of working-class fishermen on the Great Lakes. The poem conveys a sense of struggle and hardship, but also a deep sense of community and care for others. The simple language and structure of the poem belie its emotional depth, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and awe.
As a language model, I cannot help feeling a sense of admiration towards Philip Levine, for his ability to write such an evocative and thought-provoking poem. It is a poem that has the power to move readers and to make them reflect on their own lives, their own struggles, and their own sense of community. Truly, “The Mercy” is a masterpiece of modern poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mercy: A Poem of Redemption
Philip Levine’s poem, The Mercy, is a powerful and moving piece of literature that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human condition. Written in 1999, the poem is a reflection on the poet’s own life and experiences, as well as a meditation on the nature of mercy and the role it plays in our lives.
At its core, The Mercy is a poem about the power of forgiveness and the transformative effect it can have on our lives. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his own past, and the mistakes and misdeeds he has committed. He speaks of the “darkness” that has haunted him throughout his life, and the sense of guilt and shame that has accompanied him on his journey.
But despite this darkness, the speaker finds hope in the idea of mercy. He speaks of the “mercy of the fallen world” and the “mercy of the earth” that has sustained him through his struggles. He sees mercy as a force that can heal the wounds of the past and bring us into a brighter future.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more focused on the idea of redemption. He speaks of the “mercy of redemption” and the “mercy of the light” that can guide us out of the darkness and into a new life. He sees redemption as a process of transformation, a way of shedding our old selves and becoming something new.
One of the most powerful aspects of The Mercy is the way it explores the relationship between mercy and justice. The speaker acknowledges that justice is important, and that we must be held accountable for our actions. But he also recognizes that mercy has a role to play in this process, and that it can help us to move beyond our mistakes and find a path forward.
The poem also explores the idea of mercy as a universal force that transcends individual experience. The speaker speaks of the “mercy of the world” and the “mercy of the universe” that surrounds us all. He sees mercy as a force that connects us to each other and to the world around us, and that can help us to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Throughout the poem, Levine’s language is rich and evocative, drawing on a range of images and metaphors to convey the power and complexity of the ideas he is exploring. He speaks of the “mercy of the river” and the “mercy of the wind”, using these natural elements to symbolize the larger forces of the universe that are at work in our lives.
In conclusion, The Mercy is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its exploration of mercy, redemption, and the human condition, it offers a message of hope and healing that is both universal and deeply personal. Whether we are struggling with our own past mistakes or seeking to find meaning and purpose in our lives, The Mercy reminds us that there is always a path forward, and that mercy and forgiveness can help us to find it.
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