Adam's Song Flashcards
(15 cards)
Q1: What are the central themes in Adam’s Song?
A: Guilt, innocence, sin, judgment, human imperfection, divine empathy, and the possibility of redemption.
Q2: How does Walcott compare biblical punishment with modern-day condemnation in the opening lines?
A: He contrasts the stoning of an adulteress in the Bible with the modern destruction of reputation through whispers, showing how gossip can be as cruel as physical punishment.
Q3: What does the line “the breath / that films her flesh with slime” symbolize?
A: It symbolizes the dehumanizing effect of societal judgment and gossip, portraying it as something that pollutes and stains a person’s dignity.
Q4: How does the poem reinterpret the role of Eve in the fall of man?
A: It questions whether Eve is guilty or innocent, challenging traditional views of original sin and suggesting that all humans share responsibility.
Q5: What does the line “Nothing has changed” imply about human nature?
A: It suggests that the patterns of sin, guilt, and blame from the time of Adam and Eve still continue in the present day.
Q6: What do the “vipers” in Adam’s song represent?
A: They symbolize temptation, deceit, and the forces that led to humanity’s fall and continue to exist in the modern world.
Q7: What is the emotional tone of Adam’s song to Eve?
A: It is a mix of lament, blame, and sorrow. Adam sings against his own damnation, projecting his guilt onto Eve.
Q8: How does the imagery of panthers and the peaceable kingdom contribute to the poem?
A: It introduces a sense of danger and unease within innocence, showing that sin and death lurk even in places of supposed peace.
Q9: What does the phrase “death coming out of the trees” signify?
A: It evokes the idea that death is natural, inevitable, and always present—just as it was in Eden after the fall.
Q10: What is revealed about Adam’s relationship with God through the line “he sings it, frightened / of the jealousy of God”?
A: Adam fears divine punishment, showing the strain and distance in his relationship with God due to guilt and sin.
Q11: What does God’s act of wiping his eyes signify?
A: It shows God’s empathy and sorrow for humanity’s suffering, indicating a compassionate and understanding divine presence.
Q12: What is the significance of the line “Heart, you are in my heart as the bird rises”?
A: It expresses deep emotional connection and hope, suggesting spiritual renewal and closeness between Adam and God.
Q13: How does the poem describe the shared grief between God and Adam?
A: The line “you weep within me, as the rain weeps” shows that divine sorrow mirrors human sorrow, binding both in mutual pain and love.
Q14: How does Walcott challenge traditional moral binaries in the poem?
A: By questioning who is truly guilty—Eve or everyone—he blurs the line between innocence and sin, making guilt a shared human condition.
Q15: What final message does the poem leave about love, guilt, and suffering?
A: That all forms of love—divine or human—are tied to suffering, and through shared grief, there is potential for empathy and redemption.
