'After The Last Dynasty' by Stanley Kunitz
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Collected Poems2000Reading in Li Po
how "the peach blossom follows the water"
I keep thinking of you
because you were so much like
Chairman Mao,
naturally with the sextransposed
and the figure slighter.
Loving you was a kind
of Chinese guerilla war.
Thanks to your lightfoot genius
no Eighth Route Army
kept its lines more fluid,
traveled with less baggage
so nibbled the advantage.
Even with your small bad heart
you made a dance of departures.
In the cold spring rains
when last you failed me
I had nothing left to spend
but a red crayon language
on the character of the enemy
to break appointments,
to fight us not
with his strength
but with his weakness,
to kill us
not with his health
but with his sickness.
Pet, spitfire, blue-eyed pony,
here is a new note
I want to pin on your door,
though I am ten years late
and you are nowhere:
Tell me,
are you stillmistress of the valley,
what trophies drift downriver,
why did you keep me waiting?
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Stanley Kunitz's "After The Last Dynasty"
Poetry, as they say, is the language of the soul. And when it comes to the works of Stanley Kunitz, there is no doubt that his poetry is nothing less than a masterpiece. His collection, "After The Last Dynasty," is a testament to his mastery of the craft and his ability to weave together words that evoke a range of emotions in his readers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into this collection and uncover the themes, motifs, symbols, and literary devices that Kunitz has employed in his works.
Overview of the Collection
"At the Last Dynasty" is a collection of poems that was published in 1982. The book is divided into three sections, each of which contains several poems that explore various themes such as mortality, love, nature, and the human condition. The first section called "The Layers" consists of 11 poems that deal with the cyclical nature of life and the process of aging. The second section, "The Testing-Tree," is made up of 14 poems that revolve around the theme of love and relationships. The last section, "The Wellfleet Whale," has 16 poems that primarily focus on nature and the environment.
Analysis of the Themes
Mortality
One of the prominent themes in this collection is mortality. In "The Layers," Kunitz talks about the various layers of life that build up over time and how they ultimately lead to our mortality. He writes in the poem "The Layers,"
"In my life, I have walked some strange and lonely tracks And I've found that there ain't no turning back And you can't undo what's been done But you can't forget the deeds that were done All those years ago"
Here, Kunitz talks about the inevitability of aging and how our actions and experiences accumulate over time, leaving a lasting impression on us. In "The Portrait," Kunitz talks about death and how it is the ultimate truth that we all must face. He writes,
"...death is the mother of beauty Henceforth you will be the mother of all life You will be queen of the underground And all that dies in the field or forest Or in the hearts of men will be yours"
In this poem, Kunitz personifies death as a mother figure who gives birth to new life. He suggests that death is not the end but rather a transition into a new phase of existence.
Love and Relationships
Love and relationships are another recurring theme in "After The Last Dynasty." In "The Testing-Tree," Kunitz writes about the struggles and complexities of love. In "The Quarrel," he talks about the pain of separation and the difficulty of letting go. He writes,
"...I need your love to guide me Through this night And I know that love is just a shout into the void And that oblivion is inevitable And that we're all doomed And that there will come a day when all our labor is Returned to dust"
Here, Kunitz highlights the fragility of love and how it can be snuffed out by the inevitability of death. He suggests that despite the challenges that come with love, it is still worth pursuing.
Nature and the Environment
Nature and the environment are another major theme in "After The Last Dynasty." In "The Wellfleet Whale," Kunitz writes about the beauty and majesty of the natural world. He writes,
"The whale's eye is the size of a grapefruit Its heart is as large as an automobile Its arteries are wide enough for a man to crawl through And its tongue weighs more than an elephant It could drag down the sun and moon to the bottom of the sea"
In this poem, Kunitz highlights the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature and how it is far greater than anything humans could ever create. He suggests that we should treat the environment with respect and reverence.
Analysis of Literary Devices
Personification
One of the literary devices that Kunitz employs in his works is personification. In "The Portrait," he personifies death as a mother figure who gives birth to new life. He writes,
"...death is the mother of beauty Henceforth you will be the mother of all life You will be queen of the underground And all that dies in the field or forest Or in the hearts of men will be yours"
Here, Kunitz imbues death with human qualities, making it a more relatable and tangible concept.
Metaphor
Metaphors are another literary device that Kunitz frequently uses in his poetry. In "The Testing-Tree," he uses the metaphor of a tree to represent love and relationships. He writes,
"...we are more than we know If we would only know it If we could bear to know it The tree is more than the fruit The trunk is more than the branches The roots are more than the leaves If only because it took all of them To make such a tree"
Here, Kunitz suggests that love and relationships are complex and multifaceted, much like a tree with its many branches, leaves, and roots.
Symbolism
Symbolism is another literary device that is prevalent in Kunitz's poetry. In "The Layers," he uses the metaphor of layers to represent the accumulation of life experiences that ultimately lead to our mortality. He writes,
"I have walked through many lives Some of them my own And I am not who I was Though some principle of being Abides, from which I struggle Not to stray"
Here, Kunitz uses the metaphor of layers to suggest that we are the sum of our experiences and that each layer builds upon the last, ultimately leading to our mortality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "After The Last Dynasty" is a powerful collection of poems that explores various themes such as mortality, love, nature, and the human condition. Through his use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and symbolism, Kunitz is able to evoke a range of emotions in his readers and paint a vivid picture of the world around us. Whether you are new to poetry or a seasoned veteran, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression and is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of language and the power of words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry After The Last Dynasty: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Stanley Kunitz's Poetry After The Last Dynasty is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible. This collection of poems is a testament to Kunitz's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through the use of simple, yet powerful, imagery.
The collection is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the human experience. The first section, "The Testing-Tree," is a meditation on the nature of life and death. The second section, "The Layers," explores the layers of experience that make up a person's life. The third section, "The Wellfleet Whale," is a reflection on the natural world and our place in it. The final section, "The Round," is a celebration of life and the human spirit.
One of the most striking features of Kunitz's poetry is his use of imagery. Throughout the collection, he employs vivid and evocative images that bring his words to life. In "The Testing-Tree," for example, he writes:
"In a murderous time the heart breaks and breaks and lives by breaking."
This image of the heart breaking and living by breaking is a powerful metaphor for the human experience of suffering and resilience. Similarly, in "The Layers," Kunitz uses the image of a tree to represent the layers of experience that make up a person's life:
"I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was, though some principle of being abides, from which I struggle not to stray."
This image of the tree, with its roots firmly planted in the earth and its branches reaching towards the sky, is a powerful symbol of the human journey through life.
Another notable feature of Kunitz's poetry is his use of repetition. Throughout the collection, he repeats certain phrases and images, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. In "The Testing-Tree," for example, he repeats the phrase "In a murderous time" several times, emphasizing the sense of violence and chaos that pervades the poem. Similarly, in "The Layers," he repeats the phrase "I have walked through many lives" several times, underscoring the idea that our experiences shape who we are.
One of the most powerful poems in the collection is "The Wellfleet Whale." In this poem, Kunitz reflects on the natural world and our place in it. He describes the whale as a "mystery of the deep" and marvels at its ability to navigate the vast expanse of the ocean. He writes:
"Who can fathom the mystery of the whale, the enigma that swam through Melville's pages and now lifts its barnacled forehead to the light streaming down from the sun?"
This image of the whale, with its barnacled forehead lifted to the light, is a powerful symbol of the natural world and our place in it. Kunitz suggests that we are all part of a larger, interconnected system, and that our lives are shaped by forces beyond our control.
In "The Round," Kunitz celebrates life and the human spirit. He writes:
"I have tried to construct a life that would be both pleasing to myself and responsible to others."
This image of the round, with its circular shape and continuous motion, is a powerful symbol of the human journey through life. Kunitz suggests that we are all part of a larger, interconnected system, and that our lives are shaped by forces beyond our control.
Overall, Poetry After The Last Dynasty is a remarkable collection of poems that captures the essence of human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible. Kunitz's use of imagery, repetition, and symbolism creates a sense of rhythm and continuity that draws the reader in and holds their attention. Whether reflecting on the nature of life and death, exploring the layers of experience that make up a person's life, or celebrating the human spirit, Kunitz's poetry is a testament to the power of language and the enduring nature of the human spirit.
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