Poem Analysis - Miss Scarlett Mr Rhett And Other Latter Day Saints

Maya Angelou's "Miss Scarlett, Mr. Rhett and Other Latter-Day Saints" is a searing indictment of the American South's romanticized past and its brutal legacy of slavery and racial injustice. The poem employs a dark, ironic tone, juxtaposing religious language and imagery with the violence and oppression of the plantation system. The poem shifts from initial hints of religious practice to increasingly disturbing revelations of cruelty and dehumanization. This creates a powerful and unsettling exploration of how historical narratives can mask profound moral failings.

The Lingering Shadow of Slavery

The poem deeply critiques the historical context of the American South, specifically focusing on the institution of slavery and the romanticized myths surrounding it. References to "King Kotton" and "Golgotha in blackface" directly link the economic prosperity of the South to the suffering and death of enslaved people. The "plantation shrine" suggests that the wealth and power derived from slavery were elevated to a near-religious status, blinding people to the inherent cruelty of the system. Angelou challenges the reader to confront the uncomfortable truth that the South's idealized past was built upon the exploitation and dehumanization of an entire race.

Sacrilege and the Corruption of Faith

A central theme in the poem is the corruption of religious faith in service of a morally bankrupt system. Religious language and imagery are consistently used in a perverse and ironic manner. For example, "Novitiates sing Ave / Before the whipping posts" illustrates how religious rituals were twisted to justify and even celebrate violence. The references to "priests" and "God-Makers" further highlight the complicity of religious institutions in perpetuating the oppression of slavery. The poem suggests that faith, rather than being a source of morality, was manipulated to sanctify and perpetuate a deeply unjust social order, revealing the sacrilegious nature of such actions.

Dehumanization and the Loss of Innocence

The poem poignantly explores the theme of dehumanization through vivid and disturbing imagery. The "charred bones of four / very smallvery black / very young children" are a stark reminder of the brutal violence inflicted upon enslaved people, especially the most vulnerable. The final stanza, with its focus on the "intact hymen" and the perpetual "putting to death" of the "stud," underscores the sexual exploitation and control inherent in the system of slavery. These images serve to expose the profound dehumanization of both the victims and the perpetrators of slavery, highlighting the loss of innocence and the enduring trauma inflicted by this historical injustice. The repetition of "His seed / His seed / His seed" further emphasizes the reduction of human beings to mere commodities.

Scarlett and Rhett: Symbols of a Flawed Ideal

The figures of "Scarlett" and "Rhett," allusions to the iconic characters from *Gone with the Wind*, function as complex symbols within the poem. "Hail, Scarlett. Requiescat in pace" suggests a flawed ideal of Southern womanhood, one built on privilege and denial. "Blessed Rhett, the Martyr" presents a similarly complicated figure, perhaps representing the perceived sacrifice or misunderstood heroism of those who upheld the Confederate cause. These characters, often romanticized in popular culture, are re-examined through the lens of slavery's brutal reality, revealing the moral compromises and historical inaccuracies embedded in the South's self-image. Are they truly saints or are they symbols of the South's willingness to sacrifice the lives and dignity of others for economic gain and the maintenance of social order?

A Legacy of Pain and the Need for Remembrance

In conclusion, "Miss Scarlett, Mr. Rhett and Other Latter-Day Saints" is a powerful and unsettling poem that forces a confrontation with the brutal realities of the American South's history. Through its use of dark irony, religious imagery, and vivid descriptions of violence, Angelou exposes the moral corruption and enduring trauma of slavery. The poem challenges the romanticized narratives of the past, urging readers to remember the suffering of those who were dehumanized and exploited. Ultimately, the poem serves as a call for remembrance, justice, and a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of slavery in American society. The poem’s title itself sets the stage for this critical re-evaluation, contrasting the glamorous image of the South with the stark realities of racial injustice and exploitation.