Journey of the Magi — An Analysis
Journey of the Magi explores the notion of tension through the Magi’s conflicting state of mind between old and new faith. There is tension and conflict between undergoing an arduous journey in order to attain enlightenment and the Magi’s yearning to indulge in a society full of materialistic temptations. This notion is evident in the lines. “Just the worst time of the year for a journey, and such a long journey… the very dead of winter” The Magi’s pessimistic tone, and the elongated sentence structure created by repetition recreates the feeling of lethargy; the laborious and arduous nature of the Magnus’ physical journey parallels the Magnus’ difficult journey towards spirituality. The wearisome journey is juxtaposed with images of “summer palaces on slopes” and the “silken girls bringing sherbert.”Sibilance is used to recreate and emphasise the trancelike feelings of bliss that these paradisiacal images instill in the Magus and emphasise his yearning to return back to the sordid and spiritually devoid society filled with materialistic possessions. Furthermore, his anachronistic language through his allusions to “sherbert” makes this universal notion of tension and feelings of uncertainty and doubt when undergoing significant transitions during an individuals life more relatable to new and modern generations as they are more engaged to language used in their own context.
Eliot’s attainment of spiritual enlightenment results in feelings of isolation and alienation. The tension between these conflicting emotions illustrates the complex nature of obtaining spiritual faith. The Magnus’ journey towards spiritual enlightenment is a symbolic representation of Eliot’s conversion from Unitariasm to Anglican Catholicism. It illustrates Eliot’s rejection of the secular nature of the European society . This rejection brings him closer to his spirituality and to God, but also simultaneously isolates him further from humanity. This notion is evident in the lines, “Birth or Death?” The use of rhetorical questions and the juxtaposition of two binary moments in an individual’s life and further emphasises the Magi’s achievement of spiritual enlightenment, he had seen the birth of Jesus and witnessed the death of his older non spiritual self. This leads to his isolation and feelings of alienation when he returns back to urban society,“With Alien people clutching their gods I should be glad of another death”. He is surrounded by a secular society and individuals devoid of spiritual faith. He dehumanizes them with the term Alien , and reduces them to a primitive image of people worshiping false idols . “I should be glad of another death” emphasises his bitter and condescending attitudes towards being isolated in a society full of secular and atheistic individuals. The oxymoron in “glad” and death” also emphasises that his only salvation from this isolation is his death and reconnection with God in heaven. This poem also explores the universal experience of holding a certain strong belief that isolates the individual from the rest of society and is thus able to deeply resonate with readers of new generations.
