Red Balloon

Literally, in the poem, a red balloon is floating around the town and the persona (who has a very strong sense of Abse) find it. Whilst growing obsessed with his balloon, others mock him for having it and abuse his for not giving it up. Metaphorically, the balloon represents Abse’s religion – Judaism.

The red balloon sails “across the startled town”, “wind-blown”. The balloon represents Judaism which could mean that the religion has been around the town and has shocked those who live there because, throughout history, Jews aren’t popular and stereotypically dislikeable. The fact that the religion is ‘wind-blown’ suggests that it shouldn’t be there and has been pushed into the town.

As it “floated down”, it “oddly landed where [the persona] stood”. ‘Oddly’ is an unusual word to choose and could create a sense of irony. Abse’s family are Jewish and he, as he was growing up, would adopt this religion. The adoption of this religion is shown through the persona taking the balloon as “finding’s keepings”. The persona looks after his religion – his balloon. This is shown through him polishing it. We get a sense that the persona has made his religion come alive as the balloon is described as “shining like living blood”.

The protection of the balloon represents that the persona took pride in his religion. The balloon was his “joy”, it “ceased to be a toy”, it “soared higher like a happiness” and the persona “boasted” about it. However, the balloon (his religion) was also his “shame” which shows that he is aware the Jews are criticised and can bring shame into towns.

Soon, the criticising began. The balloon was said to have been “stained with our dear Lord’s blood” which could suggest that it is an awful thing to carry round. People were stereotyping and mocking the balloon saying, “let’s get it circumcised” because it is a known thing that Jews are circumcised. Boys “laughed” and “cursed” at him; some “clawed” at the balloon. Yet, his balloon would not burst which shows that the persona refused to give up his religion. 

It soon got to a stage where the persona was being threatened and told to give up his balloon. Though he didn’t “know exactly why”. This shows that the persona isn’t fully aware of why people refuse to give up Jewish prejudice. It got to the stage where the persona ran to his father. He told him to “bolt the door, turn the key” to take cover and protection. This way, the boys can only try to “insult [his] faith and steal [his] red balloon from [him]. This shows that a Jewish persona had to hide from prejudice so that his faith would stay with him.

 

‘Red Balloon’ can be linked to ‘Water’ by Larkin because both poems describe religion. However, Larkin’s poem describes what the persona would do if he could create a religion. Abse’s persona tells the hard life a Jew had to live with when surrounded by those who hated Jews and would attack them. The poem can also be linked to Larkin’s ‘Faith Healing’ which describes the powerful belief women have and that their belief can cure them. This poem shows powerful religious belief – so much so that the persona is refusing to let prejudice take away his religion. He refuse to let go of who he is.