Christ's Regrettable Reticence
The work explores themes of faith, innocence, and the complexities of divine presence through the perspective of a young girl. She grapples with the enigmatic nature of a gentle savior, who remains hidden and elusive, contrasting with the chaotic world around her. The girl expresses a longing for the savior to reveal himself, believing that his appearance would bring comfort and healing. The narrative delves into the girl's internal conflict, as she navigates her admiration for the savior while questioning his reticence. She perceives his shyness as a barrier to connection, reflecting a broader commentary on the nature of belief and the human desire for tangible reassurance from the divine. The imagery of the savior as a timid figure, akin to a mouse or fairy, underscores the tension between the sacred and the mundane. The girl's interactions with a housemaid serve as a conduit for her understanding of faith. The housemaid's stories about the savior's actions, such as sharing food with his disciples, highlight the themes of community and shared experience. The girl’s credulity and hunger for spiritual nourishment mirror the universal human quest for meaning and connection. As the narrative unfolds, it critiques the simplistic presentations of faith that often fail to address the deeper emotional and existential needs of individuals. The girl's innocence and imagination are juxtaposed with the harsh realities of her environment, emphasizing the struggle between hope and disillusionment. Ultimately, the work invites readers to reflect on the nature of divinity, the complexities of belief, and the longing for a more intimate relationship with the sacred. The gentle savior's reticence becomes a metaphor for the often unfulfilled desires for understanding and connection in the human experience.
By Mina Loy · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Religious Literature, Modernist Literature · 283 words
First lines
Ova is at the mercy of the enigmatical behaviour around her only One behaves unlike all others the gentle Jesus whose unseen behaviour like a mouse or a fairy in lurking discretion is the wary perfection of a shy saviour "Oh why wouldn't the Gentle come out -into the open and just show them?"
Yet she loves the Gentle "Perhaps if he knew there was a dear little girl here who wouldn't hurt him -- -- - -- if he came out?"
For a pale pitiful housemaid who bowed healingly between her and the loud maternity --
Has told her of -- Gentle Jesus our excuse -- - -- - --
What this Textopian page supports
Christ's Regrettable Reticence is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mina Loy, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Mina Loy
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious Literature, Modernist Literature, Feminist Literature, Existential Literature
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs a lyrical and expressive style characteristic of poetry, focusing on emotional depth and imagery.
- Religious Literature — The text explores themes of faith, the nature of Christ, and spiritual longing, central to religious discourse.
- Modernist Literature — The fragmented structure and exploration of subjective experience align with modernist literary techniques.
- Feminist Literature — The perspective of the female protagonist and her relationship with religious figures reflects feminist themes.
Tags
Modernist Literature · Experimental Fiction · Stream-of-Consciousness · Feminist Themes · Psychoanalytic Theory · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Dadaism · Surrealism · Anti-Narrative