The poem "First Christmas in the Village" was very interesting. After having the chance to read it over and a bit slower, I think I understand it a little better. In the first stanza, the author, I believe, is talking about a group of people that are gathered together, and they have just witnessed the birth of an unexpected child. These people know and care for each other. And though it was a nasty night, they all gathered silently by the fire. There were no children around, but they longed for the presence of a child, hence the line "though the widow had no children and taught a game with playing cards."
In the second stanza, I think the octopus symbolizes some kind of a struggle or danger that these people had over come. They had to overcome some great danger through the use of lethal force.
Also, this was maybe the first time the man had been a part of such a thing, due to the lines "my first octopus, its brain afire." And "-Don't tell the priest-" "a wink at caution in the game of living." From the third stanza.
In the fourth stanza I feel the author is letting us know that a holy child was born. And this child will be a savior for mankind. Therefor, any wrong doing, any crime including murder can be forgiven, and people if they should choose can be reborn into a life of peace.
Welcome to the blog for Prof. John Talbird's English 102 class. The purpose of this site is two-fold: 1) to continue the conversations we start in class (or to start conversations before we get to class) and 2) to practice our writing, reading, and thinking on a weekly basis in an informal setting.
Nice response, Adonis. It is an interesting poem.
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