Critical Analysis of The Journey of the Magi Free Essay Example, 1000 words

â€Å"It was (you may say) satisfactory† (Eliot, 31) may strike one as a masterpiece of understatement but, nevertheless, it does express content. The image of â€Å"the three trees on the low sky† (Eliot, 24), is definitely symbolic of the three crosses at the site of Christ’s crucifixion on Mount Calvary. While this picture does evoke the sorrow and the pain of Christ’s sacrifice, the shadows of darkness are immediately illuminated by the image of the promised dawn conjured up by the â€Å"low sky. † Christ’s crucifixion is but the gateway to a limitless horizon of new beginnings. The low sky is the harbinger of many dawns to come. Thus the three trees constitute â€Å"a negative image relating to Christ’s death but on the other hand, a positive image relating to Christ’s sacrifice for humanity† (Finley, American Literature Research and Analysis Web site). The â€Å"white horse, † (Eliot, 25) as in St. Johnsâ₠¬â„¢ Book of Revelations, represents death: the death of sin and the death of the old ways (Logue, Sermon on 6 January 2001). Death is vanquished and driven away by the dawn of a new belief. We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Analysis of The Journey of the Magi or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now This is followed by images of decay and dissipation, evoked by men â€Å"dicing for pieces of silver/ And feet kicking the empty wine-skins† (Eliot, 27 – 28). This is an obvious allusion to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and also to the soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ clothes at the foot of the cross after the crucifixion. Once again, this picture of waste and emptiness is immediately countered by the preceding hope of fulfillment, represented by the fertile symbolism of the â€Å"vine-leaves over the lintel† (Eliot, 26), whose promised harvest will fill the empty wine-skins with the new wine of faith in Jesus. The inn with â€Å"an open door† (Eliot, 27) represents the mansion of God the Father, into which Jesus has promised entry to all true believers: â€Å"In my Fathers’ House are many mansions: †¦ I go to prepare a place for you† (John 14:2, King James Bible). S alvation is an open door, always accessible and within the reach of every true seeker of Christ. A warm welcome awaits every traveler at the end of his weary pilgrimage. The poems ultimate declaration of hope resides in the staunch assertion of the Magus in the last paragraph: â€Å"And I would do it again, † he says (Eliot, 33). Just as he acknowledges the rigors of their quest in the beginning, the Magus now concedes that the birth of Christ was â€Å"hard and bitter agony for us† (Eliot, 39). He is perplexed by the implications of the Divine birth and admits that he is yet to grasp the true significance of this â€Å"Birth †¦ like Death† (Eliot, 38 – 39).