Poem Analysis - Travels With John Hunter

Introduction: A Journey Through Illness and Gratitude

Les Murray's "Travels With John Hunter" is a poignant and often humorous account of a near-death experience, a descent into illness and a subsequent return to life. The poem blends the visceral reality of medical intervention with moments of surreal hallucination and philosophical reflection. The tone fluctuates between fear and levity, despair and profound gratitude, ultimately celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the dedication of those who fight to preserve it. This poem is an exploration of mortality viewed through the lens of modern medicine.

Historical Context: Modern Medicine as Salvation

While not directly historical, the poem implicitly acknowledges the advancements of modern medicine. John Hunter Hospital, named after the renowned surgeon, represents the pinnacle of medical expertise. The CAT scans, ventilators, and pharmaceutical interventions like pethidine, are not just background details, but integral to the narrative. They are the tools that pull the speaker back from the brink, emphasizing a reliance on scientific intervention in the face of death. The poem highlights how modern hospitals become the battlegrounds where life and death face off.

Mortality: Confronting the Inevitable

The poem grapples directly with the theme of mortality. The "agony bayoneted" and the speaker's "dire preoccupation" with his liver immediately establish a sense of impending doom. The vivid imagery of the "private office of the grave," where the speaker "ceased excreting, made corpse gases," leaves the reader in no doubt about the seriousness of his condition. This section underscores the stark physical realities of death. Murray further explores this theme through surreal visions, such as the "voyage beyond flesh and bone" and the "white court stockings," suggesting a liminal space between life and death.

Renewal and Gratitude: The Gift of a Second Chance

Central to the poem is the theme of renewal. After surviving his ordeal, the speaker is profoundly grateful for the second chance he has been given. This is expressed through his joyful embrace of simple pleasures, like "Chinese soup" and a drive to Lake Macquarie. He recognizes his "renewal" is akin to being "in Heaven." The overwhelming support he receives during his illness – "a Spring-in-Winter love-barque of cards, of flowers and phone calls and letters" – underscores the importance of human connection in the face of adversity. The poem argues that recognizing and valuing this second chance is crucial.

The Black Dog and the Doctors: Symbols of Depression and Salvation

The "Black Dog," a well-known metaphor for depression, is a recurring symbol in the poem. The speaker mentions that the "three Johns Hunter seem to have killed with their scalpels" this depression, implying that his physical illness was intertwined with his mental health. The doctors, therefore, are not just healers of the body, but also saviors of the mind. This suggests a holistic approach to health, where physical and mental well-being are interconnected.

The Paradox of "The Church of No Metaphors"

The line "I was anointed first by a mild metaphoric church then by the Church of no metaphors" presents a compelling paradox. The "metaphoric church" likely represents traditional religious comfort and symbolism. The "Church of no metaphors," however, is a more ambiguous concept. Does it represent the stark reality of the hospital, stripped of comforting illusions? Or does it suggest a deeper, more authentic connection to something beyond the physical world, unmediated by religious dogma? This ambiguity invites contemplation on the nature of faith and belief in the face of death.

Conclusion: A Testament to Human Resilience

"Travels With John Hunter" is a deeply personal and ultimately uplifting poem. It chronicles a harrowing journey through illness and the profound gratitude that arises from surviving such an ordeal. Through vivid imagery, shifts in tone, and symbolic language, Murray explores themes of mortality, renewal, and the power of human connection. The poem stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the dedication of those who work tirelessly to save lives, suggesting that the "project of seeing conscious life rescued from death defines and will atone for the human."