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Illustrating the Idiom "Possession is Nine-Tenth of the Law" in the Poem "The Ball"

The idiom "possession is nine-tenth of the law" means that whoever possesses something has a strong legal claim to it, even if the ownership is disputed or unclear. In the poem "The Ball" by John Berryman, this idiom is reflected in the way the boy and the other boys value and compete for the ball, which represents a symbol of power, pleasure, and identity. The contents of the poem illustrate this idiom in several ways, as follows:

Initial Possession: The boy who first finds the ball in the bushes claims it as his own, even though he knows that it might have belonged to someone else before. He feels proud and lucky to have it, and he shows it off to his friends, who admire and envy him. This initial possession establishes a sense of ownership that is hard to challenge, especially since the boy takes care of the ball and uses it for a fair game with his peers.

Contested Ownership: However, as the game goes on and the ball gets kicked around, other boys start to claim their share of it. They argue about the rules, the boundaries, the fouls, and the rights to the ball, trying to assert their dominance and gain more control over it. Some boys even try to snatch the ball away from each other, using force or cunning. This contested ownership creates tension and conflict among the boys, who feel that their honor and reputation are at stake.

Moral Possession: Despite the struggles for possession, the boy who first found the ball retains a moral possession of it, which is based on his respect for the ball as a sacred object that represents their collective joy and unity. He does not want to spoil the game by being too selfish or aggressive, nor does he want to lose the ball to someone who does not appreciate its value. He therefore tries to keep the game fair and fun, by sharing the ball with his friends and forgiving their mistakes. This moral possession is more powerful than the physical possession, as it reflects the boy's character and wisdom.

Final Dispossession: However, even the boy who values the ball the most cannot prevent its final dispossession, which happens when it accidentally rolls into the street and gets run over by a car. The ball bursts and deflates, leaving the boys shocked and saddened by the loss of their beloved object. This final dispossession shows that possession, whether legal or moral, is not absolute or eternal, and that things can be taken away or destroyed by external forces beyond our control.

Conclusion

The contents of the poem "The Ball" illustrate the idiom "possession is nine-tenth of the law" by portraying the different forms of possession that the boys have over the ball, from initial possession to contested ownership to moral possession, and by showing how possession can be challenged, shared, and lost. The poem suggests that possession is not only a matter of physical control, but also of moral responsibility, and that the true value of a possession lies not in its material worth, but in its symbolic meaning and emotional attachment.