Redeeming Time by Kenneth Paul Kramer

Author:Kenneth Paul Kramer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Published: 2007-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

Pyre or Pyre (Little Gidding IV)

As we have seen, the associated lyrical fourth movements of Four Quartets not only recapitulate, in a more intense manner, major thematic motifs running throughout the sequence but also provide progressive glimpses into redemptive moments. In Burnt Norton IV an unearthly light glistened off the kingfisher’s wing; in East Coker IV the wounded surgeon plied the steel; in The Dry Salvages IV the Lady was petitioned to intercede for those in need. Moving from the divine light of Burnt Norton to the paschal sacrifice of Jesus to the selfless service of Mary, we arrive at Little Gidding, in which each of these sensibilities is celebrated and affirmed by the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit. Now,

The dove descending breaks the air

With flame of incandescent terror

Of which the tongues declare

The one discharge from sins and error.

The only hope, or else despair

Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre—

To be redeemed from fire by fire.

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