Journey_of_the_Magi

JOURNEY OF THE MAGI Gillian Gray ‘Journey of the Magi’ by T.S. Elliot, is a poem in which there is an imaginary person and place. The poem is seen through the viewpoint of one of the ‘Magi’ or more commonly known as ‘wisemen’, whilst on the journey to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. There is no proof that these ‘Magi’ did exist, so we can only assume that within the poem they are, although very well thought out by T.S. Elliot, still completely imaginary. Most people would presume that throughout this journey, the ‘Magi’ would be fairly happy in the thought of finding a miracle, but this poem contrasts greatly with this belief: “A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey” We are now given the idea that the journey had not got off to a good start, and with the poets use of repetition of the word ‘journey’, we can really imagine that that this was not a very pleasant time for the ‘Magi’. We also begin to understand that that the ‘Magi’ are most definitely out of their comfort zone. “There were times we regretted The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bringing sherbet.” This background story makes the character seem more convincing and real to the readers, and tells us that the ‘Magi’ are used to the life of luxury. However, they are now made to cope with a long journey through terrible weather conditions. “The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.” From this, we can comprehend just how awful the weather is, and how hard and depressing it is for the ‘Magi’. Within the first two stanzas, we are given the impression that this ‘Magi’ was not very optimistic. This also contributes to the poet’s portrayal of the ‘Magi’ and makes him seem more genuine to us. “And running away, and wanting their liquor and women, And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters, And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly And the villages dirty and charging high prices” The repetition of the word ‘and’ causes us to think that the list of bad things goes on forever, and the ‘Magi’ has nothing good to say, giving us the idea that this ‘Magi’ certainly does not look on the bright side. This also persuades the readers into believing this character. The mood is completely different on the following day of the journey. “Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley, Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation” This gives us the idea that the ‘Magi’ is feeling that there is more hope on this day, as it is new and fresh. We are also told that there is life, which contrasts with the first two stanzas, giving a brighter feel to things. The ‘Magi’ has also ceased with his complaints, which shows the readers the alteration of his mood, which consequently plays a large part through the depiction of this character: “Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel... And arrived that evening, not a moment too soon. Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.” From this, we are told that the ‘Magi’ have now reached a place with places to stay, and although Jesus’ birthplace was not especially grand and luxurious, in comparison to the ‘Magi’s’ customary home standards, he does not complain. This shows the ‘Magi’s’ change of heart. Some say that journeys affect people in many different ways. The ‘Magi’s’ change gives a more believable and real character. Throughout the poem, elements of Jesus Christ’s death are cunningly placed around the time of his birth. Perhaps this is because the ‘Magi’ is looking back in time. He knows of Jesus’ death, and is telling us of these basic details; possibly searching for some indication or answer to why this happened. He may believe that there was more that could have been done to save Jesus, and God was warning him of what was yet to come, through the delivery of these signs. However, it may be his way of telling us that Jesus was always going to meet this fate and nothing would have changed that. This aids the writer with the representation of the ‘Magi’: “And three trees on the low sky... Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver.” According to the Easter story, Judas betrayed Jesus for pieces of silver. The three trees could represent the three crosses at the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. The suggestion of the presence of death also links to the affect that this journey has taken on the ‘Magi’. “We returned to our palaces, these kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With alien people clutching their gods, I should be glad of another death.” We now understand that the ‘Magi’ feels uncomfortable and isolated from the citizens at home who were too rigid to take in Jesus’ views. The ‘Magi’ is also ill, and death is almost at his door, which, curiously, he is pleased with. I believe he will be relieved with his death, because his friends are gone. Those back at home were not his friends. They were now strangers to him. They were something different, and he did not like this. In conclusion, I believe that T.S. Elliot has created a completely convincing character through his use of word choice and poetic techniques within ‘Journey of the Magi’. Not only does he interestingly write this poem through the perspective and recollection of the ‘Magi’, but rather than simply giving a few opinions of this journey, he shows the characters transformation and development through the journey, producing an overall conceivable character.