On the first reading of this poem, the idea that Stevie Smith is an atheist begins to germinate. In fact, many critics of Smith’s religious beliefs use this poem to demonstrate their point. However, on further analysis of this poem one senses that Smith is being scornful and critical of any individual who displays such indifference when referring to God, as is demonstrated with her choice of title “Egocentric”. This may be interpreted that she criticizes the idea that people conveniently construct a deity to suit their own personal objectives and ego. To strengthen the argument that Smith is not an atheist, the poem “God and the Devil” could also be employed. The poem jolts our memories to the biblical story of Job and to the book “Paradise Lost” by John Milton. In this tale, God declares that his servant, Job is a “perfect and upright man”. The Devil challenges God’s idea of Job claiming that if misfortunes were to fall upon this mortal that he would ultimately curse God. However, this is not the case and Job never abandons his faith. I am firmly of the belief that Stevie Smith’s poem demonstrates this story and that the last line “we’re here to point a moral and adorn a tale” demonstrates her admiration and approval of Job’s actions. While Smith questions quite a lot of religious beliefs, she is no atheist.
Stevie Smith harbored an unusual fascination with death that is present throughout almost all of her poetry. Many of her poems display lonesomeness, world-weariness and occasional tragedy. None of these poems however, show any fear towards this dark thief that makes a living out of robbing lives. No. Smith did not dread death rather she welcomed it. This reality is evident even further in Stevie’s “The River Deben”. In this poem, the persona is wistfully daydreaming about inviting death by drowning and seems fascinated by that prospect. It is most interesting to read about the persona who (in her imagination) is sitting in the boat with Death on the other side. This situation hints at the possibility that Smith views Death as her loyal companion who is with her where ever she goes. The boat can also be viewed as the crossroad between life and death. On one end of the road or boat is death and on the corresponding end is life or “dawn’s twinkle light”. Whether the persona likes it or not, daylight will return since the darkness cannot stay because death “will not come so readily”. In “exultation”, Stevie Smith welcomes the presence of death as a solace.
On reading Stevie Smith’s poem “Alfred the Great”, I feel assured that one of her more amicable traits lies in the way she is able to analyse poverty issues, and then in the world of poetry induce us to admire these almost forgotten yet significant lower class individuals. “Alfred the Great” is about a man who “keeps a wife and seven children on ₤210” and never abandons the hope that one day his situation will improve. From the title, the writer already reveals her thoughts about this “man of men”. Alfred the Great was a king in medieval England. Smith gave that title to popper. That is impressive and it shows the admiration and respect that the writer felt for anyone who was in this situation and has the strength of character to cope. To her, the individual in the mentioned poem is more deserving of approval than those rich, high-ranking individuals who sit with no more challenges than the papers in front of them and yet consider that they are above those that earn less than they do. Sometimes the richer man is not the one with the money but the one who holds greater values and has the strength to deal with his problems.
Smith engages in the use of a number of literary devices. Her use of imagery stimulates pictures of who, what or where she is talking about and we see, hear, touch, feel, and taste in our imagination. In the poem “Suburb” for example, we can see “The pavement darkly gleam(ing) beneath the lamp” (line12) and hear the “hissing rain” (line 18) and feel the “utter slime” (line 21). Smith also uses imagery to convey mood. From the previous example, the mood is foreboding and depressing.
Stevie Smith also uses rhythm to create mood by combining metre, sentence structure, length of line and rhyme. The use of rhyme helps add amusement to her poems. Example:
Each paving stone sardonic
Grins to its fellow citizen Masonic
Stevie conveys most of her poems in the form of a narrative verse. The style of writing poems like a story makes one think that the tale she is telling is true. Alliteration (like “good God” and “man of men”), metaphors, personification, sarcasm and irony, as well as her careful choice of words all help us to visualise and gain an understanding into the writer’s intention.
In conclusion, Stevie Smith is a rather unique individual. Her is witty and humorous and appears to be light-hearted. However, underneath the simple words and humour lie deep questions and fierce criticism. She addresses the issues of death, love, religion and poverty and tackles the frustration, anxieties and despairs of human life.
