Poem Analysis - The Broad Bean Sermon

Introduction: An Ode to Abundance

Les Murray’s "The Broad Bean Sermon" is a celebration of nature’s bounty and the simple joy of harvesting. The poem unfolds with a lighthearted and observant tone, moving from a slightly satirical comparison of beanstalks to a "slack church parade" to a genuine appreciation for the sheer abundance of broad beans. There's a shift from initial detached observation to a personal and almost reverent interaction with the natural world, culminating in a feeling of profound happiness and a sense of connection to the earth. The poem avoids sentimentality by grounding its appreciation in the tactile and visual realities of the garden.

Context of Connection to the Land

While specific historical events aren't directly referenced, Les Murray's Australian background is vital to understanding the poem. Murray often wrote about rural life and the Australian landscape, and this poem fits squarely within that tradition. His work frequently explores the relationship between humanity and nature, valuing the practical and the everyday. The poem's focus on a simple agricultural task, such as bean picking, and its detailed observation of natural processes, reflects this deep connection to the land and a respect for its rhythms.

Theme 1: The Miracle of Growth

One of the central themes is the miracle of growth and the seemingly endless abundance of nature. This is vividly depicted through the poem's imagery. The lines, "At every hour of daylight / appear more than you missed," underscore the astonishing way in which the beans seem to multiply. The detailed descriptions of the beans – "ripe, knobbly ones, freshy-sided, / thin-straight, thin-crescent, frown-shaped, bird-shouldered, boat-keeled ones" – emphasize the variety and individuality within a single plant, further highlighting the wonder of natural creation. The poet is in awe of the natural world's capacity to surprise and provide, creating a sense of the sublime in something as mundane as bean picking.

Theme 2: Joy in the Ordinary

Another key theme is the profound joy that can be found in ordinary, everyday activities. The act of picking beans, often viewed as a chore, is elevated to a source of "happiness" and "health." This joy stems from a direct engagement with nature and a recognition of its beauty. The transformation of the beans into "edible meanings" suggests that these simple objects hold a deeper significance, representing connection, nourishment, and the satisfaction of labor. By focusing on the minute details of the bean patch, Murray finds a world of beauty and meaning in the commonplace.

Theme 3: A Quiet Reverence

The poem subtly explores a sense of reverence for the natural world, approaching a form of secular spirituality. While the opening lines satirize religious ceremony with the "slack church parade," the subsequent descriptions of the beans take on a more respectful and even awestruck tone. Phrases like "beans upright like lecturing, outstretched like blessing fingers" suggest a higher power at work in the natural world. This reverence isn't explicitly religious, but it acknowledges the profound and mysterious forces that govern growth and abundance. The poet finds a sense of the sacred in the simple act of observing and appreciating nature's gifts.

Symbolism: Beans as Expressions

The beans themselves are powerful symbols within the poem. They are not simply vegetables but rather "templates for subtly broad grins, like unique caught expressions." This suggests that the beans embody a range of human emotions and experiences. They are described in ways that evoke personalities and gestures, such as "the portly, the stiff, anf those lolling in pointed green slippers..." attributing human characteristics to the beans. This personification transforms the bean patch into a lively community, filled with individual characters and unique stories. Each bean becomes a miniature work of art, reflecting the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Conclusion: An Affirmation of Life

"The Broad Bean Sermon" is a powerful affirmation of life and the joy that can be found in connecting with nature. Through vivid imagery and a lighthearted tone, Les Murray elevates the simple act of bean picking into a celebration of abundance, wonder, and the beauty of the ordinary. The poem suggests that by paying attention to the details of the natural world, we can find profound meaning and a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. The final vow to "pick them all / even the last few, weeks off yet, misshapen as toes," encapsulates this dedication and appreciation, turning a mundane task into an act of love and reverence.