Poem Analysis - The Prayer Of Miriam Cohen

A Plea for Ignorance: Introduction

Rudyard Kipling’s "The Prayer Of Miriam Cohen" is a somber and unsettling poem, a plea directed to God not for enlightenment, but for protection from it. The poem's tone is one of profound fear and desperation, born from a perceived threat inherent in divine knowledge. It speaks of a desire to remain shielded from the overwhelming vastness of the universe and the potential madness that such understanding might bring. The mood is consistently apprehensive, building to a climactic cry for a veil to obscure the divine.

Echoes of Cosmic Anxiety

While specific historical context is not explicitly revealed, the poem resonates with a sense of existential anxiety. Kipling, writing during a period of immense scientific advancement, might be reflecting a fear of the unknown that accompanied these discoveries. The poem's speaker expresses dread at the immensity of God's works, hinting at a concern that human comprehension is insufficient to grapple with cosmic realities. This fear of being overwhelmed by a reality beyond human understanding might be a response to the changing world of Kipling's era.

The Burden of Divine Knowledge

One of the central themes is the danger of unchecked knowledge. The speaker actively petitions God to conceal his "Purposes," fearing the "shattering whisper" that could "o'erwhelm." This suggests a belief that certain truths are too powerful or disturbing for the human mind to bear. The poem contrasts the supposed comfort of ignorance ("saving flesh and bone") with the potential devastation of understanding the true nature of reality. The speaker chooses the safety of limitation over the perilous freedom of divine insight.

The Threat of the Infinite

The poem explores the theme of human insignificance in the face of the infinite. Images like "straining skies" and "trampling stars" evoke a sense of overwhelming cosmic scale that dwarfs human existence. The speaker fears being crushed by the weight of God's "Works" and "Wars," suggesting that humanity is ill-equipped to handle the realities of the universe. This insignificance leads to a profound fear of what lies beyond the known, creating a desire to remain safely confined within the limits of mortal understanding.

Escaping the Solitude of the Soul

A final theme is the terror of spiritual isolation. The lines "Lest we should dream what Dream awaits / The Soul escaped alone" suggest a profound unease with the prospect of individual existence beyond the physical realm. The speaker seeks refuge in the collective ("we") and in the physical ("flesh and bone"), fearing the lonely and potentially terrifying fate of the liberated soul. This points to a possible fear of death and the unknown nature of the afterlife, making the comfort of a bounded, limited existence a preferable option.

Veil of Protection: Symbolism and Interpretation

The recurring image of the "veil" is central to the poem's meaning. It represents a deliberate obscuring of divine reality, a barrier erected to protect humanity from unbearable truth. The repeated plea for "A veil 'twixt us and Thee" underscores the speaker's desperate desire for this shield. Is this veil a symbol of religious dogma, providing comforting illusions to mask a frightening reality? Or is it simply a recognition of the limitations of human perception, an acknowledgment that some truths are best left veiled to preserve sanity? The poem leaves these questions unanswered, inviting the reader to contemplate the nature of truth and the human capacity to confront it.

Conclusion: A Paradoxical Prayer

"The Prayer Of Miriam Cohen" is a powerful and unsettling exploration of the human fear of the unknown. It is a prayer not for guidance or enlightenment, but for ignorance and protection. Through vivid imagery and a tone of deep apprehension, Kipling crafts a compelling portrait of humanity's struggle to reconcile its limited understanding with the vastness of the universe. The poem ultimately raises profound questions about the nature of truth, the burden of knowledge, and the human need for comforting illusions.