— Anonymous
Many times, “great” works challenge us in ways that might leave us unsettled. We may even start to wonder how such a work can be considered a “great” work. At first glance, the work can seem so far removed from other typical examples of “great” works, but upon further inspection, we can find a lasting value and meaning from these works. Charles Baudelaire’s poem “The Carcass” serves as a prime example of such a work that seems off-putting and even repulsive at first that quickly turns into a unique and powerful take on the profound topics of life and death. On its most superficial level, the poem presents a graphic and grim image of a carcass in the middle of the road. Baudelaire, then, bluntly talks of the processes of decay it goes through in a surprisingly joyous manner. For most people, death is not a subject to just freely talk about. It is this solemn event that brings people utter grief and hollowness, even. In my own life, I have rarely experienced death as the only times I have experienced it was when I was little. I was also fortunate enough to not have any immediate close family members pass away. Yet, I do know that death is never a light subject, especially not one to be discussed with joy as Baudelaire does. In general, death also seems to be a very hushed subject that occurs in certain closed environments. It’s only present in hospitals, funeral homes, and graveyards to most people and so it becomes easy for most people to disregard death as a normal part of life. This played a vital role in making “The Carcass” as striking as it was. Baudelaire brought death back into the spotlight and framed it once again as a normal part of life by having the speaker speak so freely talk about death and decay. The presence of death also occurred outside of the typical places of death that I previously mentioned. Instead, the carcass was in the middle of the road as the speaker was on a walk. This demonstrates that death and decay happens naturally and stays ever-present. Even by itself, Baudelaire’s brave choice warrants “The Carcass” to be considered a “great” work as it takes a brave and powerful stance on mankind’s most solemn subjects. However, on further analysis, “The Carcass” cements its place among the “great” works. Not only does Baudelaire speak of death and decay, he also embraces it and finds beauty in it. In “The Carcass”, the speaker describes the “superb cadaver” as blossoming “like a flower”. Baudelaire juxtaposes the beauty of a flower full of life with the death and decay of a rotting corpse. Through this, Baudelaire skillfully explains the interconnection of life and death. Life can not exist without death just as death can not exist without life. On reflection, a philosophical beauty can be found in the balance of these two ideas. Oftentimes, we are too afraid of death to realize that it is truly what gives life its meaning.
