Narrator, “Antique”
The narrator of this poem uses the text to bemoan his doomed and passionate relationship with a woman who has since been doomed to fiery pits of Hell. The narrator, presumably a man, explains that his love for this woman made him feel like he was drowning in a burning river both with her and without her. He suggests that their relationship was doomed from the start, for their love was too consuming and she was destined to be unfaithful. Pinsky uses the narrator of this poem to punish his unfaithful partner, who left him and has since been doomed to suffer in the fire of Hell.
Narrator’s Lover, “Antique”
Though little is known about the narrator’s female lover, she is characterized by the narrator as being a passionate and persuasive, yet cunning, woman. According to the narrator, she made their relationship passionate. She was physically beautiful. Ultimately, however, she strayed from the narrator and as such, is destined to live a life of sin while burning in Hell.
Narrator, “Catatonic”
Unlike many of the narrators in Pinsky’s other poems, the narrator of “Catatonic” is not representative of a human being. Rather, the narrator of this poem is representative of many Earth-like elements that all work in conjunction with one another. It is a mountain and the atmosphere. This narrator aims to convey information about the Earth’s many natural elements and their importance to humanity.
Narrator, “Ceremony”
The narrator of this poem reflects upon the imminent destruction of all humanity. He or she concludes that humans will be punished for their moral disappointments via an apocalyptic plague. Panic and crazed regret are evident in this poem, for the contents of the poem, which reflect the narrator’s thoughts, are haphazard and chaotic. In this way, the narrator is emotionally preparing for the end-of-days and is panicking at the prospect that eternal death is inevitable.
God, “Ceremony”
In this poem, God is presented as a rather malevolent and revenge-seeking being, one who will take pleasure in destroying all humanity. The narrator suggests that God has become severely disappointed in humans and our lack of morals. As a result, God has decided to initiate an apocalyptic event, designed to destroy all of humanity to have us atone for our sins. The narrator likens this event to a performance for God, which suggests that God will revel in and enjoy the systematic and mass destruction of all mankind.
