'Preparing The Body' by Ron Rash

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Eureka Mill1998Sometimes it only took a single word,
just a look if they had drunk enough.
A hawkbill knife would flash, sometimes a gun.
The doctor closed their eyes and it was done.That's when they'd come for me so I would walk
until I found some men out in a yard
smoking cigarettes, looking at the ground,
the women in the house with the dead man's wife.They'd have him laid out on a cooling board,
looking like he'd passed out drunk, but then
you saw the shirt dyed crimson with his blood,
a face as white as August cotton bolls.We'd strip the body first. The younger girls
who hadn't known a man were curious.
They might giggle, childish as the men
who'd brought us here with their little boy games.As soon as I could get him shaved I'd leave
and wouldn't come back until a few weeks passed.
That's when she'd need the hugs, the sugared words,
some extra help with supper and the kids.By then she'd have an inkling, not so much
of what had happened but what was to come.
By then she'd know that she would grow old young.
By then she'd know her man was the lucky one.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Preparing The Body: A Critical Analysis

Ron Rash is a prolific writer who has consistently produced works that are both insightful and thought-provoking. Rash's poetry collections have garnered critical acclaim, and among them is Preparing The Body, a work that explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the nuances of Rash's work and discuss the key themes and literary devices employed in Preparing The Body.

Overview of the Poem

Preparing The Body is a poem that is rooted in the Appalachian region of the United States, a place that Rash has explored extensively in his writing. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a man who is preparing the body of his wife for burial. The poem is divided into two parts, and in the first part, the speaker describes the physical process of preparing the body. In the second part, the speaker reflects on the loss of his wife and the impact that it has had on his life.

Themes

The most prominent theme in Preparing The Body is grief, and Rash explores this theme with a depth and sensitivity that is truly remarkable. The speaker's grief is palpable, and the poem is suffused with a sense of loss and sadness. However, the poem is not just about grief; it is also about the process of mourning and the journey towards acceptance and healing.

Another theme that Rash explores in Preparing The Body is the relationship between the living and the dead. The speaker's wife is no longer alive, but he is still connected to her through the act of preparing her body. This connection is both physical and emotional, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and the bonds that exist between people.

Literary Devices

Rash employs a number of literary devices in Preparing The Body, and these devices serve to deepen the meaning and impact of the poem. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, and Rash uses vivid, sensory imagery to create a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Rash writes:

As I work, the room fills with the scent of rosemary and cloves,
mingled with the sharpness of vinegar.

This imagery not only creates a sensory experience for the reader, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of solemnity and reverence.

Another literary device that Rash employs in Preparing The Body is symbolism. The act of preparing the body is symbolic of the mourning process, and the physical act of washing and dressing the body is a metaphor for the emotional work of coming to terms with loss. The speaker's careful attention to detail and the reverence with which he carries out this task is a symbol of his love for his wife and his desire to honor her memory.

Interpretation

Preparing The Body is a deeply moving poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and the enduring power of love. Rash's use of vivid imagery and symbolism serves to deepen the impact of the poem, creating a powerful sense of atmosphere and emotion. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to endure even in the face of loss and tragedy.

At its core, Preparing The Body is a meditation on the nature of grief and the process of mourning. The speaker's careful attention to detail and the reverence with which he carries out this task is a symbol of his love for his wife and his desire to honor her memory. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of death, love endures, and that the bonds that exist between people are stronger than the physical body.

Conclusion

Preparing The Body is a powerful work that explores themes of loss, grief, and the enduring power of love. Through his use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and sensitive storytelling, Rash has created a poem that is both poignant and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to endure even in the face of loss and tragedy. Preparing The Body is a work that will resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level and leave a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Preparing The Body: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Ron Rash

Ron Rash is a renowned American poet and novelist, known for his vivid descriptions of the Appalachian region and its people. His poem, "Preparing The Body," is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death in a rural community. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the process of preparing a body for burial. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker describing the "cold room" where the body is being prepared. The use of the word "cold" immediately creates a sense of discomfort and unease, setting the stage for the somber tone of the poem.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the various steps involved in preparing the body. We see the embalmer "sewing the mouth shut," "tying the jaw," and "plugging the nostrils." These details are not only vivid but also serve to create a sense of detachment from the body. The speaker is not emotionally invested in the person who has died, but rather in the process of preparing the body.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of memory. The speaker describes how the embalmer "covers the face with a cloth," and how the family members "remember the face as it was." This contrast between the physical reality of the body and the memory of the person is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The speaker seems to be suggesting that memory is more important than the physical body, and that it is through memory that we keep the dead alive.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of community. The speaker describes how the family members "sit in the front room," waiting for the body to be prepared. This image of a group of people coming together to mourn and support each other is a powerful one. It speaks to the importance of community in times of grief and loss.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality. The speaker describes how the embalmer "fills the veins with fluid," and how the body is "made to look alive." This image of a dead body being made to look alive is a powerful one, as it highlights the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker seems to be suggesting that death is not an end but rather a continuation of life in a different form.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of nature. The speaker describes how the embalmer "dresses the body in a suit," and how the family members "bring flowers from the garden." These details serve to connect the dead body to the natural world, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and death. The use of flowers also serves to create a sense of beauty and fragility, further emphasizing the theme of mortality.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker describes how the family members "carry the body to the hearse," and how the "procession winds through the hills." This image of a funeral procession winding through the hills is a powerful one, as it speaks to the connection between the dead and the natural world. The speaker seems to be suggesting that death is not an end but rather a continuation of life in a different form.

In terms of language, Rash's use of imagery is particularly effective. The vivid descriptions of the embalming process create a sense of discomfort and unease, while the use of flowers and natural imagery creates a sense of beauty and fragility. The use of repetition, particularly in the descriptions of the embalming process, serves to create a sense of detachment from the body, highlighting the theme of memory over physical reality.

In conclusion, "Preparing The Body" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death in a rural community. Through its vivid imagery and powerful themes, the poem speaks to the importance of memory, community, and nature in times of grief and loss. Rash's use of language is particularly effective, creating a sense of discomfort and unease while also highlighting the beauty and fragility of life. Overall, this poem is a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death, and the importance of remembering those who have passed.

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