Poem Analysis - Crazy Jane And The Bishop

Introduction: A Bitter Curse

Yeats' "Crazy Jane and the Bishop" is a fiery and defiant poem, spoken by the character Crazy Jane. The poem's tone is initially bitter and vengeful, fueled by Jane's anger towards a Bishop (or soon-to-be Bishop) who condemned her relationship with her lover, Jack. There is a current of defiant love throughout the poem, and a shift at the end towards a protective and territorial rage.

Love, Loss, and Judgement

One of the central themes is the contrast between natural love and rigid, moralistic judgment. Jane's love for Jack, despite being condemned as "beast and beast" by the "solid man," is presented as vibrant and natural. The Bishop, on the other hand, embodies the cold, judgmental aspect of organized religion. His condemnation of their love highlights the hypocrisy Jane perceives in the Bishop's disapproval. The loss of Jack is also a central theme. She clearly misses Jack deeply and is furious that the Bishop contributed to his death.

Mortality and the Tomb

Mortality is another pervasive theme, underscored by the repeated line, "(All find safety in the tomb.)" This refrain serves as a constant reminder of the inevitability of death, a stark contrast to the Bishop's self-righteous pronouncements. It suggests that the Bishop's earthly judgments are ultimately meaningless in the face of universal mortality. It could also imply that the peace of death is preferable to the judgment and condemnation that Jane faces in life. Death and the tomb are the great equalizers, mocking the importance of social standing and moral condemnation.

The Oak and the Bishop: Contrasting Symbols

The poem is rich in contrasting symbols. The "blasted oak" to which Jane calls down curses represents a raw, untamed power, a place outside the bounds of societal control and religious dogma. It is a place of wild magic and personal vengeance. It stands in stark contrast to the Bishop, a symbol of rigid authority and moral condemnation. The image of the Bishop with "a skin, God knows, / Wrinkled like the foot of a goose" and "the heron's hunch upon his back" is deliberately unflattering, emphasizing his physical repulsiveness and subtly undermining his authority. Further emphasizing the contrast, Jack is presented as a "birch-tree", strong, beautiful, and natural. This further contrasts the Bishop's unnatural presence.

Spitting Defiance: The Power of Female Rage

The final image of Jane spitting at the potential return of the Bishop is a powerful act of defiance. It is a raw, visceral rejection of his authority and judgment. This act of defiance reinforces the strength of Jane's love for Jack and her willingness to defend their bond against societal condemnation. The concluding "I spit" serves as a final, forceful expression of Jane's refusal to be silenced or shamed. The poem could be interpreted as questioning the power structures and the ways that organized religion dictates the lives of people.

Conclusion: Untamed Spirit in a Judgmental World

In conclusion, "Crazy Jane and the Bishop" is a powerful exploration of the conflict between natural love and societal judgment. Through vivid imagery, defiant tone, and potent symbolism, Yeats creates a compelling portrait of a woman who refuses to be silenced or shamed by the moral pronouncements of the established order. Jane's untamed spirit, fueled by love and loss, stands as a challenge to the hypocrisy and rigidity of the Bishop's world.