Assisi: Stanza 2

Assisi: Stanza 2

‘Assisi’: Stanza 2 - Theme - Religion

Visual Imagery

  • In the second stanza of “Assisi”, MacCaig utilises visual imagery, painting a vivid picture of St. Francis, the patron saint of the poor.
  • The imagery of St. Francis standing on “tiny twisted legs” is a stark contrast against the priest and tourist standing tall, enforcing the irony within the poem.

Symbolic Interpretation

  • MacCaig describes the statue as having “hands as thin as thorns” which, while literal, can also be interpreted symbolically as an indictment of the Church’s lack of practical assistance for the poor.
  • The priest’s reference to the “glitter of the quick, cheap, razor-sharp steel” possibly alludes to the commercialisation of religion, which may serve more as a business than as a support structure for the needy.

Disparity between Ideals and Reality

  • MacCaig uses contrast to enlighten readers about the discrepancy between the Church’s teachings and its approach towards the less fortunate, showcasing institutional hypocrisy.
  • The disparity is exposed through the juxtaposition of the deformed beggar with the churchgoers, who appear unconcerned with real-world suffering while they admire the grandeur of the church.

The Role of the Church

  • MacCaig’s depiction of the priest draws attention to the Church’s role and its responsibilities. The priest remains unapproachable, locked within the confines of the Church, which is symbolically represented as a steel gate.
  • The imagery of the Church being full of tourists rather than worshippers perhaps suggests that religion has become superficial, disconnected from its spiritual purpose.

Summary

  • The second stanza of MacCaig’s “Assisi” opens up a candid critique of religious institutions. Using striking contrasts and powerful visual imagery, MacCaig exposes the disparity between religious ideals and real-world practice. The stanza underscores the discrepancy between the Church’s teachings of empathy and aid for the poor, and its apparent indifference to the impoverished beggar within its own walls.