'The Way Things Work' by Jorie Graham
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is by admittingor opening away.This is the simplest formof current: Bluemoving through blue;blue through purple;the objects of desireopening upon themselveswithout us; the objects of faith.The way things workis by solution,resistance lessened orincreased and takenadvantage of.The way things workis that we finally believethey are there,common and ableo illustrate themselves.Wheel, kinetic flow,rising and falling water,ingots, levers and keys,I believe in you,cylinder lock, pully,lifting tackle andcrane lift your small head--I believe in you--
your head is the horizon to
my hand. I believeforever in the hooks.The way things workis that eventuallysomething catches.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Way Things Work: A Masterpiece of Contemporary Poetry
As a modern masterpiece of contemporary poetry, Jorie Graham's "The Way Things Work" is a highly complex work that explores the intricate workings of life, death, and the universe. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and structure of this remarkable poem, unpacking its meaning and exploring its significance in the context of contemporary poetry.
Themes
At its core, "The Way Things Work" is a meditation on the relationship between the natural world and human consciousness. Graham's poem grapples with the concept of time, the fragility of human life, and the interconnectedness of all things. Her exploration of these themes is both philosophical and deeply personal, as she uses her own experiences and observations to ground her musings on the human condition.
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of impermanence. Throughout the work, Graham draws attention to the fleeting nature of existence, using images of decay and destruction to illustrate the transience of life. She writes, "a woman's life, / white as this moon, / the orange star at dawn / like a flame / on the river's ripple" (lines 12-16), painting a vivid picture of a life that is beautiful but ultimately ephemeral.
Another key theme in the poem is the relationship between the natural world and human consciousness. Graham juxtaposes images of the natural world with reflections on human emotion and thought, suggesting that the two are deeply intertwined. She writes, "The way the river / suddenly opens wider / just north of here / means you are not yet arrived / at the end of the world" (lines 39-43), implying that the natural world has a profound effect on human consciousness and perception.
Finally, "The Way Things Work" is a meditation on the passage of time. Graham employs a variety of temporal markers, from the cyclical rhythms of the natural world to the ticking of a clock, to explore the concept of time's passing. She writes, "Time is the engine / that drives the leaf / through the green fuse" (lines 3-5), suggesting that time is both the force that propels life forward and the ultimate arbiter of its end.
Imagery
Graham's use of imagery in "The Way Things Work" is both rich and highly symbolic. The poem is full of vivid sensory details that bring the natural world to life, from the "green fuse" of new growth to the "orange star" of dawn. Her images are often rooted in the physical world, but they serve as metaphors for larger ideas and concepts.
One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the river. Graham uses the river as a metaphor for the passage of time, suggesting that just as the river flows inexorably towards the sea, so too do our lives move towards their inevitable end. She writes, "The river is moving. / The blackbird must be flying" (lines 23-24), highlighting the idea that time is constantly in motion, and that we are carried along with it whether we want to be or not.
Another recurring image in the poem is that of light. Graham uses the image of light to symbolize various ideas and concepts, from the flickering of a candle to the blaze of the sun. She writes, "From the back porch / I watch a chestnut-colored / horse / standing in a field" (lines 1-4), using the image of the horse in the light to convey a sense of stillness and calm.
Finally, Graham makes frequent use of imagery related to decay and destruction. She writes, "The broken heron / still stalks the river" (lines 56-57), painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and fragile. Her images of decay serve as a reminder of the impermanence of all things, and they underscore the poem's central theme of transience.
Structure
The structure of "The Way Things Work" is as complex and layered as its themes and imagery. The poem is divided into five sections, each of which is composed of several shorter subsections. The structure of the poem is highly fragmented, with each subsection standing on its own and contributing to the overall meaning of the piece.
One of the most striking features of the poem's structure is its use of repetition. Graham repeats certain phrases and ideas throughout the work, creating a sense of resonance and unity. For example, she writes, "The way the river / suddenly opens wider" (lines 39-40) twice in the poem, highlighting the idea that the natural world is constantly in motion and that our perception of it is always shifting.
Another notable feature of the poem's structure is its use of enjambment. Graham frequently breaks lines in unexpected places, creating a sense of surprise and disorientation. She writes, "The horse is / in the field" (lines 5-6), breaking the line in the middle of a sentence to draw attention to the horse's presence in the moment.
Finally, the poem's structure is highly cyclical, with each section echoing and building upon the ideas of the preceding section. Graham uses this cyclical structure to reinforce the poem's themes of impermanence and interconnectedness, suggesting that everything in the natural world is part of a larger cycle that is constantly repeating itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jorie Graham's "The Way Things Work" is a masterful work of contemporary poetry that explores the complex interplay between the natural world and human consciousness. With its themes of impermanence, interconnectedness, and the passage of time, the poem is both philosophical and deeply personal, drawing on Graham's own experiences and observations to illuminate the human condition.
The poem's imagery is rich and highly symbolic, employing images of light, decay, and nature to convey a sense of the world's beauty and fragility. And its structure is as complex and layered as its themes and imagery, with its use of repetition, enjambment, and cyclical structure creating a sense of resonance and unity.
Overall, "The Way Things Work" is a remarkable poem that deserves its place among the great works of contemporary poetry. Its exploration of the human condition is both profound and deeply moving, and its language and imagery are as beautiful as they are thought-provoking. It is a true masterpiece of the genre, and one that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire thoughts, and challenge perceptions. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers is Jorie Graham's "The Way Things Work." This poem is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of life, death, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance and impact.
Firstly, the poem's title, "The Way Things Work," sets the tone for the entire piece. It suggests that the poem will explore the mechanics of life and the universe, and how everything is interconnected. The poem begins with the line, "is by admitting / or opening away." This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the way to understand the world is by being open to new experiences and perspectives.
The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with its own unique theme and message. The first stanza explores the idea of opening oneself up to the world and experiencing life fully. The second stanza delves into the concept of death and how it is a natural part of life. The third stanza explores the idea of time and how it affects our perception of the world. The fourth stanza explores the concept of language and how it shapes our understanding of the world. The fifth stanza explores the idea of memory and how it shapes our perception of the world. Finally, the sixth stanza brings all these themes together and suggests that everything in the world is interconnected.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the use of imagery. Graham uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey her message. For example, in the first stanza, she writes, "The way the dog runs freely / its joyful lack of motive / except to run." This image of a dog running freely conveys the idea of living life to the fullest and experiencing joy in the moment. Similarly, in the second stanza, she writes, "The way the earth feels solid and alive / under our feet." This image of the earth being solid and alive conveys the idea that death is a natural part of life, and that everything is interconnected.
Another literary device used in this poem is repetition. Graham repeats certain phrases throughout the poem to emphasize their importance. For example, she repeats the phrase "the way" throughout the poem to emphasize the idea that everything in the world is interconnected. She also repeats the phrase "opening away" to emphasize the idea that the way to understand the world is by being open to new experiences and perspectives.
The poem also uses enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This technique creates a sense of flow and continuity in the poem, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of everything in the world. For example, in the third stanza, Graham writes, "The way the past stays alive / in an unmade bed." The use of enjambment here creates a sense of continuity between the past and the present, and suggests that the past is always present in our lives.
In conclusion, "The Way Things Work" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of life, death, and the human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and enjambment, the poem conveys the idea that everything in the world is interconnected, and that the way to understand the world is by being open to new experiences and perspectives. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions, inspire thoughts, and challenge perceptions, and it continues to captivate readers to this day.
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