For The Union Dead Poem Summary line by line

For the Union Dead is a poem by Robert Lowell that explores themes of memory, history, and societal change. The poem, which was written in 1960, addresses the Civil War, Boston’s change, and the poet’s own thoughts on the past and present.

For The Union Dead Poem Summary

1. “The old South Boston Aquarium stands”
   • The poem starts off with a contemplation of the South Boston Aquarium, emphasizing its historical importance.
2. “in a Sahara of snow now.”
   • The aquarium’s state has drastically changed; it is now described as abandoned and snow-covered.
3. “Its broken windows are boarded.”
   • The aquarium is in a run-down state, with broken windows that are currently boarded up, as the poet observes.
4. “The bronze weathervane cod has lost half its scales.”
   • The description of a damaged weathervane cod suggests the decay and neglect of maritime symbols.
5. “The airy tanks are dry.”
   • The once-filled tanks in the aquarium are now empty, emphasizing a loss of life and vibrancy.
6. “Once my nose crawled like a snail on the glass;”
   • The poet recalls a personal memory of visiting the aquarium and interacting with the fish.
7. “my hand tingled”
   • The poet vividly describes the physical sensations associated with the memory, connecting the past to the present.
8. “to burst the bubbles drifting from the noses of the cowed, compliant fish.”
   • The poet remembers the innocence and wonder of bursting bubbles created by the fish in the aquarium.
9. “My hand draws back.”
   • The poet, in the present moment, pulls back from the memory, suggesting a sense of reluctance or loss.
10. “I often sigh still for the dark”
    • The poet expresses a longing for the past, specifically the darkness of the aquarium, which contrasts with the current state of the world.
11. “geisha in her crypt.”
    • The use of “geisha” adds an exotic element to the memory, while “crypt” suggests a burial or entombment of the past.
12. “I have lost my way indefinitely”
    • The poet acknowledges a sense of disorientation and loss, both personally and culturally.
13. “in this frog-strangled Bermuda triangle”
    • The imagery of a “frog-strangled Bermuda triangle” conveys a sense of confusion and decay in the current cultural landscape.
14. “they invite the wedding of the waters.”
    • The poet describes political figures inviting the joining of two bodies of water, possibly symbolizing a union or reconciliation.
15. “They are still raw.”
    • The political changes are described as “raw,” indicating a lack of refinement or development.
16. “The grass is beaten yellow”
    • The poet describes the physical landscape, noting the impact of human activity on the grass.
17. “The governor, the mayor, the senator”
    • Political figures are introduced, suggesting a contrast between past and present leadership.
18. “Are on the march, are on the make,”
    • Political figures are portrayed as actively pursuing their agendas, possibly at the expense of historical preservation.
19. “and all the easy virtue of the past”
    • The phrase “easy virtue” conveys a sense of moral laxity or indifference to historical values.
20. “is creeping from brain to brain.”
    • The spread of “easy virtue” suggests a pervasive and insidious influence on collective consciousness.
21. “But monument to Concord,”
    • A monument to Concord, referring to the historic battle during the American Revolution, is introduced.
22. “it has been shot at again.”
    • The violence directed at the monument symbolizes a disregard for historical symbols and values.
23. “The first shot smashed the stereotypes”
    • The first shot at the monument is described as shattering stereotypes, possibly alluding to a challenge to established norms.
24. “They are letting in the jungle”
    • The metaphor of “letting in the jungle” suggests an encroachment of chaos into the cultural and historical landscape.
25. “They are collecting”
    • The poet describes a process of collecting, hinting at the preservation of historical artifacts or memories.
26. “the hill that used to go down to the river,”
    • The alteration of the landscape, particularly the hill leading to the river, signifies the transformation of the physical environment.
27. “gathering stone by stone into a little hill”
    • The act of gathering stones to form a new hill suggests an attempt to reconstruct or reclaim a sense of history and continuity.
28. “of the city of Boston.”
    • The hill becomes a symbolic representation of the city of Boston, embodying its history and resilience.
29. “Yet the place here is somehow noble.”
    • Despite the decay and societal changes, the poet finds a certain nobility or dignity in the current place.
30. “But the place is about to be given away”
    • The impending loss of the place, possibly to commercial interests, is foreshadowed.
31. “to what is called progress.”
    • The poet critiques the concept of “progress” for its potential to disregard valuable aspects of the past.
32. “Last summer they hung yellow balustrades”
    • The poet recalls the addition of yellow balustrades, suggesting a superficial attempt at beautification.
33. “like Japanese lanterns along Commonwealth Avenue.”
    • The use of “Japanese lanterns” implies decorative but ultimately superficial ornamentation.
34. “We have fewer drunkards,”
    • The reduction in the number of drunkards is noted, possibly indicating a shift in societal behaviors.
35. “The old South Boston Aquarium stands”
    • The poem returns to the image of the South Boston Aquarium, emphasizing its endurance as a symbol of the past.
36. “its glass doubtful as the years before the Unforgiven.”
    • The ambiguity of the glass suggests a lack of clarity or certainty regarding the past.

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