Professor Carver's Bible Class by Marilyn Nelson

Selecting a poem I enjoy, Marilyn Nelson obviously has a broader viewpoint. More than liberation from slavery, this poem reveals liberation from dogmatic religion. The traditional image of a Tyrannical Old King sending everyone to Heaven or Hell has a contrasting outcome in the form of a sympathetic friend who listens and communicates through nature.

Many people have difficulty embracing a Wrathful God threatening everyone, "Watching and keeping score." Traditional symbolism of harps and brimstone provokes an ideal of a smiling God with controls through force.

Usage of religion creates relatable symbolism for a larger audience with the metaphor of modern religion. Carver is talking to a room of former slaves who were freed after the Emancipation. Most would assume many might resent or hate God, "Living in fear of a Great Master's wrath."

Why would anyone want to worship a God that represents a slave master? Freeing the slaves is also freeing all those who adhere to the overly invasive rules of religion. When realizing God does not make any human to be a slave to another human God is once again merciful. Though a result of mercy requires someone loses, everyone has equality.

Professor Carver's class gave me the means
to liberation from that slavish faith.

Professor George Washington Carver is speaking to his students. In this poem everyone is his student. His success and other blessings demonstrate an Exodus. God's will does not favor one race or religion. Communication through prayer suggests a system of feedback and support.

Reflecting on several occasions, Carver is known for giving thanks to God for speaking to him by means of inspiration in his dreams and when working in science laboratories, "The air carries a current we can plug into."

The final inspirational message is God wants to talk to all people. This means all people no matter what another person says or grander sense of entitlements have a relationship with God; it only takes minimal effort to listen to God.

Quirky Books
Carver by Marilyn Nelson