Poem Analysis - Im Walking Backwards For Christmas

An Absurdist Declaration of Love

Spike Milligan's "I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas" is a whimsical and slightly melancholic poem that blends absurdity with heartfelt longing. The poem’s tone is initially playful, with the image of walking backwards. However, this quickly shifts as the poem touches on themes of unrequited love and loneliness. The repetition of the central action underscores both the dedication and the potential futility of the speaker's gesture. The overall impression is one of quirky sincerity, masked by a comedic facade.

Longing Across the Irish Sea

While specific historical context isn't readily apparent within the poem itself, Milligan's background as an Irish-English comedian, known for his absurdist humor, provides a crucial lens. The poem's setting across the Irish Sea touches on themes of emigration and the complexities of identity. The "immigrant lad" pining for an "Irish colleen" speaks to potential cultural and societal divides that might contribute to his isolation and unrequited love. This adds a layer of poignancy to the seemingly lighthearted premise, hinting at the deeper societal currents underlying the individual's personal struggle.

Themes of Love, Rejection, and Absurdity

The poem explores several interconnected themes. Love is obviously present, although it is not simple or easily obtained. The central action of walking backwards is a symbolic gesture to prove this love. However, this love is met with rejection as the "Irish colleen" spurns the immigrant's advances and sails away. This rejection leads to a feeling of absurdity as the immigrant lad resorts to a comical act that others believe to be a mere "publicity stunt". These intertwined themes show a sad take on love as the poem highlights the lengths one might go to for love, and the potential for that love to be unreciprocated and misunderstood by society.

Walking Backwards: A Symbol of Futile Devotion

The recurring image of "walking backwards" is a powerful symbol. On a literal level, it's an illogical and attention-grabbing act. Metaphorically, it represents the speaker's attempts to undo his situation, perhaps to reverse the rejection he has faced or to return to a time before his heartbreak. It also symbolizes his unconventional and perhaps misguided approach to love. The Irish Sea itself symbolizes both the physical distance separating him from his beloved and the emotional chasm between them. The image of an "angel choir" is more ambiguous. Is this a genuine spiritual experience, or simply a fantastical element of his sorrowful dream? It could also be a sardonic commentary on the exaggerated romanticism often associated with love and loss.

A Bittersweet Comedy of Love and Loss

In conclusion, "I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas" is more than just a silly poem. Through its blend of absurdity and sincerity, it explores the themes of love, rejection, and the lengths to which someone might go to prove their devotion. The symbolic image of walking backwards underscores the futility and unconventionality of the speaker's actions, while the backdrop of the Irish Sea adds a layer of cultural and emotional depth. The poem leaves us pondering the nature of love, the pain of unrequited affection, and the human tendency to express profound emotions in the most unexpected ways.