Stanza 1 (continued): The Church's Grandeur

The second part of the first stanza in Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" poem shifts focus from the beggar to the imposing church structure behind him. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the stark contrast between the beggar's misery and the church's opulence.

Quote: "Outside the three tiers of churches built in honour of St Francis"

The imagery of "three tiers of churches" conveys the grandeur and scale of the religious structure. This description creates a vivid picture of a large, ornate building that towers over the small, deformed beggar.

Highlight: The contrast between the magnificent church and the suffering beggar outside emphasizes the poem's themes of hypocrisy and inequality.

MacCaig introduces an element of irony by mentioning St. Francis, known as the "brother of the poor." This reference underscores the disconnect between the church's teachings and its actions.

Definition: St. Francis of Assisi - A Catholic friar known for his vows of poverty and his compassion for the poor and animals.

The poet's tone becomes sarcastic when he mentions that the beggar has "the advantage of not being dead yet" over St. Francis. This enjambment creates a pause that emphasizes the poet's critical attitude towards the situation.

Vocabulary: Enjambment - The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.

This stanza effectively sets up the central conflict of the poem: the disparity between religious ideals and real-world practices, as exemplified by the contrast between the grand church and the suffering beggar.

Stanza 2: The Priest's Explanation

The second stanza of Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" poem introduces a new character - a priest - and focuses on his explanation of the church's frescoes. This stanza further develops the theme of religious hypocrisy and highlights the disconnect between the church's teachings and its actions.

Vocabulary: Fresco - A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid lime plaster.

The stanza begins with the priest explaining the cleverness of Giotto, the artist who created the frescoes. The priest emphasizes how these paintings tell stories that even the illiterate can understand, revealing "the goodness of God and the suffering of his son."

Quote: "A priest explained how clever it was of Giotto to make his frescoes tell stories that would reveal to the illiterate the goodness of God and the suffering of his son."

This explanation carries several layers of meaning:

1. It highlights the church's focus on art and intellectual pursuits rather than practical charity.
2. The mention of "illiterate" people subtly connects to the beggar outside, who is excluded from this cultural experience.
3. The emphasis on God's goodness and Christ's suffering contrasts sharply with the church's apparent indifference to the suffering beggar.

Highlight: The irony of discussing God's goodness and Christ's suffering while ignoring the real suffering outside the church doors is a key theme in this stanza.

MacCaig's tone becomes increasingly sarcastic as he states, "I understood the explanation and the cleverness." This enjambment creates a pause that emphasizes the poet's critical attitude towards the situation.

The stanza ends with a clear indication of the church's priorities: only tourists are allowed inside, while the beggar remains outside. This detail further underscores the hypocrisy of an institution that claims to follow the teachings of St. Francis, known for his dedication to the poor.

Example: The exclusion of the beggar from the church while tourists are welcomed inside exemplifies the poem's critique of religious institutions prioritizing profit over charity.

This stanza effectively builds on the themes introduced in the first stanza, deepening the reader's understanding of the conflict between religious ideals and practical realities.

Stanza 3: The Tourists' Reaction

The third stanza of Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" poem shifts focus to the tourists visiting the church, further emphasizing the themes of indifference and hypocrisy. The poet uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the tourists' behavior and their lack of awareness of the suffering around them.

Quote: "A rush of tourists, clucking contentedly, fluttered after him as he scattered the grain of the word."

This line is rich with metaphorical language:

1. "Rush of tourists" suggests a large, hurried group, emphasizing their eagerness to see the church.
2. "Clucking contentedly" is an example of onomatopoeia and a metaphor comparing the tourists to chickens.
3. "Fluttered after him" continues the bird metaphor, implying mindless following.
4. "Scattered the grain of the word" compares the priest's teachings to feed for animals, suggesting that the tourists are consuming information without truly understanding or internalizing it.

Highlight: The comparison of tourists to chickens suggests that MacCaig views them as mindless followers, more interested in the spectacle of the church than its spiritual meaning or social responsibilities.

The stanza then shifts back to the beggar, referring to him as a "ruined temple." This metaphor draws a parallel between the beggar's body and a deteriorating building, contrasting sharply with the well-maintained church.

Vocabulary: Pus - A thick, yellowish or greenish opaque liquid produced in infected tissue.

MacCaig provides a disturbing description of the beggar's physical condition:

• Eyes that "wept pus"
• A back "higher than his head"
• A "lopsided mouth"

These details serve to emphasize the severity of the beggar's condition and the stark contrast between his suffering and the tourists' contentment.

Example: The hyperbole in "whose back was higher than his head" emphasizes the beggar's physical deformities and the extent of his suffering.

Despite his condition, the beggar says "Grazie" (thank you) in a voice described as sweet as a child's or a bird's. This detail adds a layer of poignancy to the scene, highlighting the beggar's gratitude in the face of extreme hardship.

Quote: "Grazie in a voice as sweet as a child's when she speaks to her mother or a bird's when it spoke to St Francis"

This final simile connects back to St. Francis, known for his ability to communicate with birds, creating a full circle in the poem's narrative and emphasizing the gap between religious ideals and reality.

Analysis and Themes

Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" poem is a powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and societal indifference. Through vivid imagery and sardonic tone, MacCaig explores several key themes:

1. Religious Hypocrisy: The poem contrasts the opulent church, built in honor of St. Francis (known for his vows of poverty), with the suffering beggar outside. This juxtaposition highlights the disconnect between religious teachings and practices.

Example: The church's focus on art and tourists while ignoring the beggar exemplifies this hypocrisy.

2. Societal Indifference: The tourists and priest in the poem seem oblivious to the beggar's plight, representing broader societal apathy towards suffering.

3. Physical Suffering and Human Dignity: MacCaig's detailed descriptions of the beggar's deformities emphasize his physical suffering, while his expression of gratitude ("Grazie") highlights his retained humanity.

4. Appearance vs. Reality: The contrast between the beautiful frescoes inside the church and the harsh reality outside underscores this theme.

5. The Power of Language and Imagery: MacCaig uses various literary devices to create a vivid and impactful poem:

Highlight: Metaphors (e.g., "ruined temple"), similes (e.g., "slumped like a half-filled sack"), and alliteration (e.g., "tiny twisted") contribute to the poem's powerful imagery.

6. Critique of Tourism and Superficial Spirituality: The poem suggests that the tourists are more interested in the spectacle of the church than its spiritual meaning or social responsibilities.

In conclusion, "Assisi" serves as a powerful commentary on the gap between religious ideals and real-world practices, challenging readers to consider their own responses to suffering and inequality. The poem's themes resonate beyond its specific setting, inviting reflection on broader societal issues and personal responsibilities.

Comparison with Other MacCaig Poems

Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" shares themes and stylistic elements with several of his other well-known poems, including "Basking Shark", "Aunt Julia", and "Visiting Hour". These connections help to contextualize "Assisi" within MacCaig's broader body of work.

1. Comparison with "Basking Shark": Both poems use vivid imagery to describe a central figure (the beggar in "Assisi", the shark in "Basking Shark"). They also share themes of human interaction with the natural world and the tension between appearance and reality.

Example: Just as the beggar in "Assisi" is described in unsettling detail, the basking shark is portrayed as "monstrous" and "decaying".

2. Similarities with "Aunt Julia": "Aunt Julia" and "Assisi" both focus on a single character, using detailed descriptions to create a vivid portrait. Both poems also explore themes of communication and connection (or lack thereof).

Highlight: In both poems, MacCaig uses sensory details to bring his subjects to life, creating empathy in the reader.

3. Connections to "Visiting Hour": Like "Assisi", "Visiting Hour" deals with themes of suffering and human vulnerability. Both poems also critique societal responses to suffering.

Quote: The line "Ward 7. She lies in a white cave of forgetfulness" in "Visiting Hour" echoes the descriptive style used for the beggar in "Assisi".

4. Stylistic Consistencies: Across these poems, MacCaig demonstrates his characteristic use of:

• Vivid, often unsettling imagery
• Metaphors and similes that create powerful comparisons
• A tone that shifts between empathy and critique
• Themes of human connection, suffering, and societal responsibility

By comparing "Assisi" with these other poems, we can see how it fits into MacCaig's broader poetic vision, exploring human experiences and societal issues through precise, evocative language.

Further Analysis and Interpretation

Delving deeper into Norman MacCaig's "Assisi", we can uncover additional layers of meaning and interpretation that enrich our understanding of this complex poem.

1. The Title: The choice of "Assisi" as the title is significant. Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and home to the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. This setting immediately evokes associations with religious devotion and charity, setting up the poem's central irony.

Definition: Assisi - A town in Umbria, central Italy, known as the birthplace of St. Francis and a major Christian pilgrimage site.

2. Structure and Form: The poem is composed of three stanzas of uneven length, mirroring the uneven and disjointed nature of the scene it describes. The lack of a regular rhyme scheme or meter contributes to a sense of unease and discord.

3. Symbolism: The beggar can be seen as a symbol of human suffering and vulnerability, while the church represents institutional power and wealth. The tourists symbolize societal indifference and superficiality.

Highlight: The contrast between the "ruined temple" of the beggar's body and the grand church building is a powerful symbolic juxtaposition.

4. Biblical Allusions: The poem contains several subtle biblical allusions:

• The priest "scattering the grain of the word" echoes the Parable of the Sower.
• The beggar's gratitude despite his suffering may recall Job's patience in the face of adversity.

5. Critique of Tourism: MacCaig's portrayal of the tourists as "clucking contentedly" offers a scathing critique of religious tourism and its potential to prioritize spectacle over substance.

6. The Power of Gratitude: Despite the poem's overall critical tone, the beggar's expression of gratitude ("Grazie") adds a layer of complexity. It suggests that even in extreme suffering, human dignity and kindness can persist.

Quote: "Grazie in a voice as sweet as a child's when she speaks to her mother or a bird's when it spoke to St Francis"

7. Relevance to Contemporary Issues: While set in Assisi, the poem's themes of inequality, institutional hypocrisy, and societal indifference remain relevant to many contemporary social and political issues.

In conclusion, "Assisi" is a multilayered poem that rewards close reading and analysis. Its rich imagery, complex themes, and pointed social critique make it a significant work in MacCaig's oeuvre and in modern poetry more broadly.

Teaching and Studying "Assisi"

For educators and students engaging with Norman MacCaig's "Assisi", there are several approaches and activities that can enhance understanding and appreciation of the poem.

1. Close Reading: Encourage students to analyze the poem line by line, paying attention to word choice, imagery, and literary devices. This can help uncover the layers of meaning in the text.

Example: Analyze the metaphor of the beggar as a "ruined temple" and discuss its implications.

2. Historical Context: Explore the historical and religious context of Assisi and St. Francis. This can provide valuable background for understanding the poem's setting and themes.

3. Comparative Analysis: Compare "Assisi" with other MacCaig poems like "Basking Shark", "Aunt Julia", or "Visiting Hour" to identify common themes and stylistic elements.

4. Thematic Discussion: Organize debates or discussions around the poem's key themes, such as religious hypocrisy, social responsibility, and human dignity.

5. Creative Response: Encourage students to write their own poems or short stories inspired by the themes or style of "Assisi".

Highlight: Students could write from the perspective of the beggar, a tourist, or the priest to explore different viewpoints.

6. Visual Representation: Ask students to create visual art pieces that represent key images or themes from the poem.

7. Performance: Have students perform dramatic readings of the poem, emphasizing its tone and rhythm.

8. Modern Connections: Discuss how the poem's themes relate to contemporary issues of inequality, religious institutions, and social responsibility.

9. Language Analysis: Focus on MacCaig's use of figurative language, particularly his vivid and sometimes unsettling imagery.

Vocabulary: Analyze MacCaig's choice of words like "dwarf", "slumped", and "twisted" to describe the beggar.

10. Essay Writing: Assign analytical essays exploring the poem's themes, structure, or comparisons with other works.

By employing these varied approaches, teachers can help students engage deeply with "Assisi", fostering critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of poetry analysis.

Thematic Conclusion

The final section ties together the poem's major themes of religious hypocrisy, human suffering, and genuine spirituality. This Themes in Assisi analysis reveals the work's lasting relevance.

Highlight: The contrast between institutional religion and genuine human kindness remains the poem's central message

Stanza 1: The Beggar's Description

The first stanza of Norman MacCaig's "Assisi" poem provides a vivid and unsettling description of a disabled beggar outside the church. MacCaig employs powerful imagery and literary devices to create a stark contrast between the beggar's condition and the grandeur of the church behind him.

Vocabulary: Dwarf - A person of unusually small stature.

The poem opens with the line "The dwarf with his hands on backwards," immediately drawing attention to the beggar's physical deformities. The use of the word "dwarf" suggests that the poet may be looking down on the beggar, both literally and figuratively.

Highlight: The phrase "hands on backwards" is a metaphor emphasizing the beggar's severe disability and poor condition.

MacCaig continues with a simile, describing the beggar as "slumped like a half-filled sack." This comparison evokes an image of a limp, shapeless form, further emphasizing the beggar's physical helplessness.

Example: The alliteration in "sat slumped" draws attention to the beggar's posture, suggesting pain or discomfort.

The poet's description becomes even more detailed and disturbing with the phrase "tiny twisted legs from which sawdust might run." This extended metaphor dehumanizes the beggar, comparing his body to a damaged toy or doll.

Quote: "Tiny twisted legs from which sawdust might run"

This powerful imagery serves to highlight the extreme physical challenges faced by the beggar and creates a sense of pity and discomfort in the reader.