The Day of Doom Poem Analysis
"The Day of Doom" is a religious poem by the colonial American poet Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705). Published in 1662, the poem is a vivid and dramatic depiction of the Last Judgment, drawing upon Puritan beliefs and the apocalyptic imagery of the Bible. It became immensely popular in 17th-century New England, serving as both a religious text and a literary work that captured the imagination of its readers.
Structure and form:
"The Day of Doom" is a long narrative poem consisting of 224 stanzas, each containing six lines with an AABBCC rhyme scheme. The poem is written in ballad meter, which consists of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. This metrical structure lends the poem a rhythmic, almost sing-song quality that likely contributed to its popularity and memorability among its contemporary audience.
Themes:
Judgment and divine justice: The central theme of "The Day of Doom" is the Last Judgment, a key tenet of Christian eschatology. The poem describes the return of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead, with the righteous ascending to Heaven and the wicked condemned to eternal punishment in Hell. Wigglesworth emphasizes the severity of divine justice, painting a vivid and terrifying picture of the fate that awaits the unrepentant.
The Puritan worldview: As a Puritan minister, Wigglesworth's beliefs are central to the poem's themes and imagery. The poem reflects the strict moral code and theological tenets of Puritanism, such as predestination, the inherent sinfulness of humanity, and the need for personal repentance and faith in Christ. "The Day of Doom" can be seen as a literary expression of the Puritan worldview, seeking to instruct and warn its readers of the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness.
Fear and the human condition: The poem's vivid and often gruesome depictions of the Last Judgment and the torments of Hell serve to elicit fear in the reader. This fear, in turn, is intended to prompt self-examination, repentance, and a renewed commitment to a virtuous life. Wigglesworth explores the darker aspects of the human condition, including the struggle with sin and the inevitability of death, using these themes to reinforce the urgency of his message.
The role of poetry in religious instruction: "The Day of Doom" serves as an example of how poetry can be employed as a tool for religious instruction and moral edification. Wigglesworth's use of vivid imagery, dramatic scenes, and rhythmic verse makes the poem both engaging and memorable, allowing it to effectively communicate its theological and moral messages to a wide audience. The poem's popularity in 17th-century New England suggests that it resonated deeply with its readers, providing them with a powerful and evocative representation of their religious beliefs.
In summary, "The Day of Doom" is a religious poem that explores themes of judgment, divine justice, the Puritan worldview, fear, the human condition, and the role of poetry in religious instruction. Its vivid imagery, dramatic narrative, and rhythmic structure make it a compelling and memorable work, reflecting the beliefs and concerns of its 17th-century New England audience.