Poem Analysis - This Evangelist

A Chaotic Carnival of Corruption

E.E. Cummings’ "This Evangelist" is a whirlwind of disjointed imagery and biting satire, a cacophony of voices that paints a bleak picture of American society driven by greed, hypocrisy, and a desperate search for meaning. The poem careens between the religious fervor of a revival meeting, the cutthroat world of journalism, the violence of a boxing match, and the calculated image-making of a political campaign. The initial tone is one of grotesque amusement, but it gradually darkens as the poem exposes the underlying cynicism and exploitation within these seemingly disparate realms.

The Hypocrisy of Faith and Power

One of the poem's central themes is the hypocrisy of those in positions of power and influence, particularly as it relates to faith and societal manipulation. The "evangelist" is presented not as a spiritual leader, but as a huckster, his "big gollywog voice" reduced to a mere tool for selling the "kingdomofheaven." The "filthy sawdust" and "joggling fists" create a jarring image, suggesting a crude and unrefined performance rather than genuine religious experience. This theme extends to the "editor cigarstinking hobgoblin" who embodies the corrupt media, more interested in scandal and personal gain than in truth. The poem uses these figures to question the integrity of institutions that are supposed to guide and enlighten society.

Violence and Spectacle as Distraction

The poem also explores how violence and spectacle serve as distractions from deeper societal issues. The boxing match, described with jarring, almost absurd detail ("our lightheavy twic twoc ingly attacks"), becomes a metaphor for the brutal competition inherent in American life. The "screams of deeply bulging thousands" highlight the public's fascination with this violence, suggesting a collective desire to escape reality through vicarious experience. The inclusion of the line "i too omit one kelly" feels like an admittance that the author is also partaking in the distraction that society loves. This theme suggests that society is easily entertained and distracted, potentially at the cost of introspection.

The Dehumanization of the Political Machine

The section focusing on "the candidate" further develops the theme of dehumanization, illustrating how individuals are reduced to mere commodities in the political arena. The candidate's "smile masturbates softly in the vacant / lot of his physiognomy," portraying him as a hollow figure whose emotions and expressions are carefully calculated for public consumption. The bizarre imagery of "scientifically pressed trousers ejaculate spats" underscores the artificiality and sterility of the political machine, suggesting that genuine connection and empathy have been replaced by superficial appearances and calculated manipulation. It evokes the image of something unnatural being forced into existence for the purpose of image.

Concluding Remarks on the Perversion of Values

In conclusion, "This Evangelist" is a complex and disturbing portrait of a society where values are perverted, and individuals are manipulated by those in power. Through its jarring imagery, fragmented language, and cynical tone, the poem exposes the hypocrisy, violence, and dehumanization that lie beneath the surface of American life. The final anecdote about the "muffhunter" and his blunt assessment ("daze nutn like it") serves as a final indictment of the public's willing participation in this spectacle of corruption, leaving the reader to ponder the true cost of such moral decay. The poem doesn't offer easy answers, but forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about our own complicity in the systems it critiques.