Enid Dame, “On the Road to Damascus, Maryland,” UA 141

Reader: Andrea Perkins
Respondent: Angela Branch
Recorder: Regina Richardson

Biographical Information:

Enid Dame is a poet, writer, and teacher. Growing up with few Jews in her neighborhood or school she lived with a sense of duel identity. She says that from this she developed a lifelong commitment to the outsider, the complex, and the possibility of an alternative culture, which would encompass many varying strands of existence. In the 60's and 70's, she was committed to a radical transformation of society.

Literary Objectives:

2A - Viewpoint is second generation who suffers a sense of division between ethnic and mainstream identities.

2B - Setting is America and relates to stage four of the immigrant narrative; assimilation of dominant American culture and loss of ethnic identity.

Interpretation:

The author of this poem is relating the experience of a second generation Jew, who is dealing with change or assimilation in America. This poem is modeled after the story of Paul in the bible and his conversion on the road to Damascus, Syria. Damascus was a key commercial city with a mixture of people and diverse cultures. Presently, Damascus, Maryland is a commercial center for the rural communities that surround it. The girl in the poem has gone through several identities. She seems to be saying that in America, everything always converts or changes.

Discussion:

Question 1

How does title relate to the theme of change?

Crystal: The traditional Damascus is substituted for Damascus, Maryland.

Tish: In traditional story, Saul was Paul. In this poem, the author symbolizes that change.

Question 2

What conclusion can you draw from the all the different things she has been?

Jason: Identity crisis.

Susie: It's as if you go back with her in time. She goes back n time to a nice girl in knee socks.

Dr. White: I didn't have time to look up ethical culture … does it replace religion with ethics?

Andrea: No, Your ethics guide you to whatever it is that you believe.

Question 3

Is the poem talking about Jews or Pilgrims?

Cristel: Well, isn't she going through a personal journey? She has background of the Jews, but she is going through a pilgrim journey.

Angela: I thought it was interesting all of the identities that she had been. So many options of becoming anything. She's 35 and still making a list. Her parents should worry.

Lynn: Do you know where the author is from?

Andrea: Yes, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

Lynn: There are passages where she regresses to a nice girl in knee high socks, then an educator, then a New York Jew. New York Jew makes me think of Abrham Cayham who joined the Russian Communist party. He left Russia then went to New York and took up Socialism and Judaism. That's why I asked where she was from.

Dr. White: You can look at the note in the back of the book for information about her. But don't label all Jews as liberalist or radicals. Jews in Russia saw Communist Party as means to escape persecution.

Robin: I think she welcomed the dreamy state of who she could be now. It reminds me of the last stanza in my poem because both embrace difference of seeking who they could be.

Andrea: The parents are worried about their daughter seeking an identity. However, the daughter is relieved when the parent's change the subject.

Dr. White: Last stanza of this poem, Tish mentioned Saul became Paul-notice the name change. Conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus is significant because he is a Jew who tries to convert Gentiles. The author is living as a Jew in the dominant culture getting a continuing identity.

Andrea: Paul persecuted Christians before conversion and people resisted listening to him.

Robin: Someone interested in seeking Judaism can convert if they want.

Dr. White: Many Jews have drifted off into assimilation. Judaism is relaxed now because there isn't a push for many people to practice the religion.