Lot's Wife Analysis

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is one that is related in churches to emphasize why one should attempt to remain sinless. Sodom and Gomorrah were two Cities of the Plain. It is recorded that these two cities were completely corrupt in everything. Not only in sexual perversions, but in money and sacrilege as well. God warned Lot and his family that they would be spared of the fire and brimstone, and so they fled. However, Lot’s wife made the decision to look back at the burning city and subsequently turned into a pillar of salt. This decision is the topic of Kristine Batey’s poem, “Lot’s Wife”. Batey’s poem takes the view of an obedient woman who does all the housework, takes care of the children and follows where her husband leads. The distinctive
She uses parallel words to help make the distinction between Lot and his wife’s focuses. For example, “While Lot, the conscience of a nation, struggles with the Lord, she struggles with the housework.” Lot’s focus here is religion and God. However, his wife makes sure the house is clean, and the children are taken care of. While Lot and his wife focus on different things in life, it is ultimately Lot who makes the decisions. Batey is careful in her word choice. This is to emphasize that Lot and his family are the only righteous people in the community. God makes it known to Lot by angels that the city will be burned to the ground. When Lot tells his wife, she quietly begins to pack. Batey uses the word “judgement” when telling this. Judgement is finality. This serves to foreshadow not only the end of the city but ultimately the end Lot’s wife’s life. In line 35, Batey uses the word “breast” to refer to the top of a hill. From this hill, it can be inferred that the heat from the city and the sounds of it burning could still be felt and heard. Not only that, but it would give a perfect view of the city that had once been home. Lot’s wife, at this point, chooses to turn and look back at her home once more. Although she had been warned that she would not live if she did so, Lot’s wife could not bear to leave without saying good-bye one more time. This had been her home. Not only that but she was not as religious as her husband. This is found in line 6, “Ba’al or Adonai whoever is God”. Through this, Lot’s wife seems to be indifferent to the