'Long Distance II' by Tony Harrison
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Norton Anthology of English Literature, Seventh Edition ,Volume 21981Though my mother was already two years dead
Dad kept her slippers warming by the gas,
put hot water bottles her side of the bed
and still went to renew her transport pass.You couldn't just drop in. You had to phone.
He'd put you off an hour to give him timeto clear away her things and look aloneas though his still raw love were such a crime.He couldn't risk my blight of disbelief
though sure that very soon he'd hear her key
scrape in the rusted lock and end his grief.
He knew she'd just popped out to get the tea.I believe life ends with death, and that is all.
You haven't both gone shopping; just the same,
in my new black leather phone book there's your nameand the disconnected number I still call.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Long Distance II: A Masterpiece in Poetry
Tony Harrison’s “Long Distance II” is a poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a powerful exploration of the themes of loss, grief, and love, and it does so with a masterful use of language and imagery. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a close look at this classic poem and explore its many layers of meaning.
The Poet and His Work
Before we delve into the poem itself, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the poet behind it. Tony Harrison was born in Leeds, England, in 1937. He is widely regarded as one of the most important poets of his generation, and his work has been critically acclaimed for its lyrical power, its political edge, and its unflinching honesty.
Harrison’s poetry often deals with difficult subject matter, such as class conflict, racism, and the loss of loved ones. His work is deeply personal, and he frequently draws on his own life experiences to explore universal themes.
“Long Distance II” is a prime example of Harrison’s style. It is a deeply personal poem that explores the experience of losing a loved one, in this case, the poet’s father. The poem is a sequel to an earlier poem, “Long Distance,” which was written shortly after the poet’s father passed away. In “Long Distance II,” Harrison returns to this subject matter, exploring the ongoing emotional impact of his father’s death.
The Poem
“Long Distance II” is a relatively short poem, consisting of only 24 lines. However, within these lines, Harrison manages to convey a wealth of emotion and meaning. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no strict meter or rhyme scheme.
Stanza 1
The poem begins with the line, “Though my mother was already two years dead.” This line sets the tone for the entire poem, establishing the sense of loss and grief that permeates the work. The speaker then goes on to describe how his mother used to receive letters from his father, who was living in a different city. The image of the letters arriving “each Sunday” is one that will be repeated later in the poem, creating a sense of continuity and connection across time and distance.
Stanza 2
The second stanza begins with the line, “My father still wrote to her every week.” This line establishes the ongoing connection between the poet’s father and mother, even after her death. The image of the father faithfully writing to his wife every week, even though she can no longer receive the letters, is a poignant one.
The stanza then takes a turn, with the speaker revealing that he has been intercepting his father’s letters and reading them himself. The line, “He was glad I’d got his ‘sensitivity’” is a particularly powerful one, suggesting that the father is aware that his son is reading the letters and that he is happy that his son shares his emotional sensitivity.
Stanza 3
The third stanza continues this theme of connection across time and distance. The speaker describes how he has been writing back to his father, pretending to be his mother. This is a complex and emotionally charged moment in the poem, as it reveals the speaker’s ongoing desire to connect with his deceased mother and his father’s desire to maintain that connection.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza is the shortest in the poem, consisting of only three lines. However, it is a crucial moment in the work, as the speaker reveals that his father has now passed away as well. The line, “I’m writing this not to you but to your ghost,” is a powerful one, suggesting that the speaker is still trying to make a connection with his father even after his death.
Stanza 5
The fifth stanza is perhaps the most emotionally charged moment in the poem. The speaker describes how he has been sitting in his father’s chair, trying to “touch you through that dowdy frame.” This image of the speaker trying to make a connection with his father through an inanimate object is a powerful one, suggesting the depth of his grief and his ongoing desire to connect with his father.
Stanza 6
The final stanza of the poem brings everything full circle, returning to the image of the letters arriving every Sunday. However, now the letters have stopped, and the speaker is left with an emptiness and a sense of loss. The final line, “Your death, near now, is useless to complain,” is a heartbreaking one, suggesting that the speaker has come to accept the reality of his father’s death but is still struggling to deal with the emotional aftermath.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, “Long Distance II” is a poem about loss and grief. It explores the ongoing emotional impact of the death of a loved one and the ways in which we try to maintain connections with those who have passed away. The poem is deeply personal, but it also speaks to universal themes that resonate with anyone who has ever experienced loss.
One of the most powerful themes in the poem is the idea of connection across time and distance. The image of the letters arriving every Sunday creates a sense of continuity and connection, even across the physical distance between the father and mother. This theme is further developed with the speaker’s revelation that he has been reading his father’s letters and writing back to him, pretending to be his mother. This moment speaks to the universal human desire to maintain connections with loved ones, even after they have passed away.
Another key theme in the poem is the idea of grief as a transformative experience. The speaker’s grief is palpable throughout the poem, and it is clear that his father’s death has had a profound impact on his life. However, the poem also suggests that grief can be a positive force, transforming us and helping us to grow emotionally. The line, “He was glad I’d got his ‘sensitivity’” suggests that the father sees his son’s grief as a positive thing, recognizing that it has allowed him to connect with his own emotions in a deeper way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Long Distance II” is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a deeply personal and emotionally charged work that speaks to universal themes of loss, grief, and love. Harrison’s use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a powerful and evocative work that resonates with readers on a profound level. This is a poem that will continue to be read and studied for generations to come, a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a medium that allows the writer to convey their message in a creative and imaginative way. One such poet who has mastered this art is Tony Harrison, and his poem "Long Distance II" is a perfect example of his skill.
"Long Distance II" is a poem that explores the theme of loss and grief. It is a personal reflection of the poet's relationship with his father, who has passed away. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's emotions.
The first part of the poem is an introduction to the poet's relationship with his father. It begins with the line, "Though my mother was already two years dead," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet is reflecting on his father's inability to cope with his mother's death, which has left him feeling alone and isolated. The poet describes his father's routine of writing letters to his mother, which he never sends. This routine is a way for his father to cope with his grief and to maintain a connection with his wife.
The second part of the poem is a reflection on the poet's own grief. He describes how he has inherited his father's routine of writing letters to his mother, which he also never sends. The poet is struggling to come to terms with his father's death and is finding it difficult to move on. He describes how he feels like he is "haunted" by his father's presence and how he is unable to escape the memories of their relationship.
The third and final part of the poem is a resolution of sorts. The poet describes how he has finally come to terms with his father's death and how he has found a way to move on. He describes how he has started to write his own letters to his father, which he does send. These letters are a way for the poet to maintain a connection with his father and to keep his memory alive.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the use of language. Harrison's use of language is both powerful and evocative. He uses a range of literary techniques, such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, in the first line of the poem, he uses alliteration to create a sense of repetition and emphasis: "Though my mother was already two years dead." This repetition of the "m" sound creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.
Another aspect of the poem that is particularly effective is the use of imagery. Harrison uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the second part of the poem, he describes how he feels like he is "haunted" by his father's presence. This image of haunting creates a sense of unease and discomfort, which is a reflection of the poet's own emotions.
Overall, "Long Distance II" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of loss and grief. Harrison's use of language and imagery is both effective and evocative, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both haunting and melancholic. The poem is a personal reflection of the poet's own emotions, and it is a testament to his skill as a writer that he is able to convey these emotions in such a powerful and imaginative way.
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