Saturday, September 10, 2011
Imperial Adam
Then he remembered through mysterious sleep
The surgeon fingers probing at the bone,
The voice so far away, so rich and deep:
"It is not good for him to live alone."
Imperial Adam, by A.D. Hope, is what seems to be a simple poem that has so much symbolism and meaning that every line has it’s own story. For example, if you take the first line of the poem and mix it with the second, its telling an experience Adam had. It states that Adam was put to sleep for the surgery God was going to perform. By putting Adam to sleep, he is not suffering or feeling any pain, he would be pain free and peaceful, just like someone whose passed away. The surgeon, being God, takes half his rib to create a female for Adam. As the “surgeon” is performing his works, it seems to be that he whispers to Adam, with his powerful voice that he wouldn’t get far living alone. Life would simply be so useless and worthless that eventually, Adam will have no reason to live. This could also relate to real life, for example, if someone who is living alone, with no love or any type of interaction with anyone, they’d have a high chance of being depressed or even be suicidal. This “surgeon” is saving Adam’s life from it’s own death, just like any true doctor or surgeon would.
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This is an interesting take on this stanza, Catarina; my hat's off to you. Still, I am a bit lost on what your intro paragraph's main idea is; is it that doctors and surgeons always try to help people? or is it that God is a benevolent being that has emotions that make him compelled to give Adam a companion? OR is it that God is almost like a bully, whispering threats and fears to Adam? There are many interesting and deep theories floating around in this paragraph, but I am not so sure you are sure which one is the best.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is very interesting. I have the same opinion on the fact that every line has its own story. I love the connection that you made about God saving Adam from heartbreak by performing the surgery in him. I agree with the fact that Eve was put here to serve as Adam's lover. It got me thinking in terms of anatomy, that maybe God chose the rib over any other bone because it is located so close to the heart. Hence heart=love. In addition I think God’s voice might be symbolic in all of this, in that it represents the difference between his almighty powers over humankind, generally from his kingdom up in heaven. Overall good job.
ReplyDeleteThis paragraph presents a very interesting take on the poem that I had not considered myself. I like that you have made a connection between Adam needing a companion with actual humans needing companionship. I wish you would have explained more about how Adam is like someone who has passed away though. Are you suggesting that he too was reborn along with Eve? I would love to hear you expand on this thought. I also like that you said that God actually saved Adam from being depressed or suicidal by creating Eve. This theory presents an interesting counterargument to the theory that the poem is sexist.
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