This poem is very similar to 'Water'. Because both poems are focused on religion although they are different. In this poem there is evident mockery on religion but the mockery is based around Abse's personal beliefs in religion and the society in which he submerges himself in. Whereas on the other hand in Larkins poem 'Water' there is general mockery on religion as a whole, as Larkin provides his more cynical view - one may say that Larkin could have easily fitted in with the bullies who mocked Abse's religion.
This poem has an ongoing theme of conflict based around religion with the main factor occurring being prejudice towards Jews. The poem is a recollection from Abse of the hassle of his childhood whilst growing up as a Jew and having to deal with bullying because of his Faith. For me, the red balloon in the poem is a symbol of Abse's religion and was a possession of his that caused him to become bullied. The balloon is described as something that is very personal to Abse as in the 4th stanza he describes it as "my balloon, my red balloon". This shows that although he possessed something that could cause him to become a target he was proud of it and his religion was something that influenced him and made him the man he is today. Also something else that supports this is the idea that Abse refuses to give up on his religion despite the hassle that is attached to it - this becomes evident with "it would not burst". The balloon is clearly re-enforced as being extremely important to Abse - as the description make it seem as if he obsesses over it - "I breathed on it, i polished it, till it shone like living blood". The phrase 'living blood' could also be a way of Abse reminding us of the extermination of the Jews in the Nazi concentration camps and how he refuses to drop being a Jew because of the psychological fear attached to it - and wants to make all those that lost their lives proud that the Jewish religion will never die.
There can be many connotations for the colour Red. The idea that the balloon is red could suggest Love - suggesting Abse loves and cherishes his religion and it is an important part of him. On the other hand the colour red could reflect the violence and danger attached with Judaism. The idea of a single red balloon reminds me of the iconic symbolism of the girl in the red coat in the well known film directed by Steven spiel-burg 'Schindler's list' which also is based heavily on the Jewish religion in WW2. A balloon can also be seen as a fragile object which could represent the lack of Abse's safety as a child by being a Jew or alternatively the fragility of his youth when dealing with the abuse.
Taken from the Movie 'Schindler's List'
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