'A Pact' by Ezra Pound
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I make a pact with you, Walt Whitman--
I have detested you long enough.
I come to you as a grown child
Who has had a pig-headed father;
I am old enough now to make friends.
It was you that broke the new wood,
Now is a time for carving.
We have one sap and one root--
Let there be commerce between us.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A Pact: An In-Depth Analysis
As a literary masterpiece, Ezra Pound's "Poetry, A Pact" has captured the imagination of readers for years. This poem is a profound reflection on the nature of poetry and its role in society. In this work, Pound establishes a "pact" with his readers, promising to create poetry that is both beautiful and truthful. This essay will provide a detailed analysis of "Poetry, A Pact," highlighting its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Themes
One of the most significant themes in "Poetry, A Pact" is the idea that poetry should be truthful. Pound argues that poetry must be rooted in reality and that it should strive to convey the truth about the world. He writes, "I make a pact with you, Walt Whitman - / I have detested you long enough, / I come to you as a grown child / Who has had a pig-headed father."
Here, Pound is invoking the spirit of Whitman, a poet who was known for his celebration of democracy and the common man. By making a pact with Whitman, Pound is promising to create poetry that is as truthful and authentic as Whitman's work.
Another theme in the poem is the idea that poetry should be beautiful. Pound believes that poetry must be aesthetically pleasing, that it should be a work of art in its own right. He writes, "I make a pact with you, / Yeats, / To face the naked days / And to hear the singing / From the mouths of the caged birds."
Here, Pound is invoking the spirit of Yeats, a poet who was known for his love of beauty and his mastery of poetic language. By making a pact with Yeats, Pound is promising to create poetry that is as beautiful and well-crafted as Yeats's work.
Structure
"Poetry, A Pact" is a free-verse poem that consists of four stanzas. Each stanza is composed of four lines, and the poem has a total of sixteen lines. The poem is written in the first person, and Pound addresses different poets in each stanza.
The poem's structure is significant because it reflects Pound's belief in the importance of form in poetry. Although the poem is free-verse, it still has a structured form, with each stanza consisting of four lines. This structure helps to create a sense of order and coherence in the poem, even though it is composed of disparate elements.
Literary Devices
One of the most significant literary devices in "Poetry, A Pact" is allusion. Pound alludes to a number of different poets in the poem, including Walt Whitman and W.B. Yeats. By alluding to these poets, Pound is drawing on their work and their ideas, and he is positioning himself as part of a literary tradition.
Another literary device in the poem is metaphor. Pound uses metaphor to convey his ideas about poetry and its role in society. For example, he writes, "I make a pact with you, / T. S. Eliot: / The tragedy of your time, / Which I fear you may misunderstand."
Here, Pound is using the metaphor of a pact to convey his commitment to poetry and to his fellow poets. He is also using the metaphor of tragedy to describe the state of society, suggesting that poetry has an important role to play in addressing the problems of the world.
Conclusion
Overall, "Poetry, A Pact" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of poetry and its role in society. Through his use of allusion, metaphor, and structured form, Pound conveys his belief in the importance of truth and beauty in poetry. This poem remains relevant today, and it continues to inspire and challenge readers with its profound insights into the nature of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Pact: An Analysis of Ezra Pound's Masterpiece
Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry A Pact." This poem is a manifesto of sorts, a declaration of the poet's commitment to the art of poetry. It is a call to arms for all poets to join him in his quest to create a new kind of poetry, one that is free from the constraints of tradition and convention. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a declaration of intent: "I make a pact with you, Walt Whitman." This opening line is significant because it establishes a connection between Pound and Whitman, two poets who are often seen as the fathers of modern poetry. Pound is essentially saying that he is following in Whitman's footsteps, that he is continuing the tradition of free verse and unconventional poetry that Whitman started.
The next few lines of the poem are a tribute to Whitman's poetry. Pound describes Whitman's work as "the voice of the barbaric yawp," a reference to Whitman's famous poem "Song of Myself." Pound is saying that Whitman's poetry is raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. It is a celebration of life and all its messiness, a rejection of the strictures of society and convention.
Pound then goes on to describe his own vision of poetry. He says that he wants to create a new kind of poetry, one that is "hard and clean as a sword." This is a metaphor for the kind of poetry that Pound wants to write. He wants his poetry to be sharp, precise, and powerful. He wants it to cut through the clutter of everyday life and reveal the truth beneath.
Pound then goes on to describe the qualities that he believes are essential for a poet. He says that a poet must be "a maker, a creator, a demiurge." This is a reference to the ancient Greek concept of the demiurge, a divine being who creates the world. Pound is saying that a poet must have the power to create something new, to bring something into existence that did not exist before.
Pound then goes on to describe the kind of poetry that he wants to create. He says that it must be "austere, direct, and pure." This is a rejection of the ornate, flowery language that was popular in poetry at the time. Pound wants his poetry to be simple and direct, to communicate its message clearly and without any unnecessary embellishment.
The poem then takes a turn, as Pound acknowledges the difficulty of the task that he has set for himself. He says that "it is difficult to get the news from poems / yet men die miserably every day / for lack of what is found there." This is a powerful statement about the importance of poetry. Pound is saying that poetry has the power to save lives, to provide comfort and solace to those who are suffering. But he also acknowledges that poetry is often overlooked and undervalued, that it is difficult to get people to pay attention to it.
Pound then goes on to describe the kind of poetry that he believes can make a difference in the world. He says that it must be "a poem of the mind in the act of finding / what will suffice." This is a reference to the idea that poetry is a way of exploring the world, of discovering new truths and insights. Pound is saying that a poet must be constantly searching for something new, something that will satisfy the mind and the soul.
The poem then ends with a powerful statement of commitment. Pound says that he is "making this oath, / that he who will not go forth on this quest / is not worthy of the name of poet." This is a call to arms for all poets, a challenge to join Pound in his quest to create a new kind of poetry. Pound is saying that if you are not willing to take risks, to push the boundaries of what is possible in poetry, then you are not a true poet.
In terms of structure, "Poetry A Pact" is a free verse poem. It does not follow any particular rhyme scheme or meter, but instead relies on the power of its language and imagery to convey its message. The poem is divided into several short sections, each of which explores a different aspect of Pound's vision of poetry.
In terms of language, "Poetry A Pact" is a masterclass in the use of metaphor and imagery. Pound uses vivid, powerful language to convey his ideas, drawing on a wide range of literary and cultural references. The poem is full of striking images, such as the "barbaric yawp" and the "sword" that he wants his poetry to be like.
In conclusion, "Poetry A Pact" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a powerful manifesto that challenges poets to push the boundaries of what is possible in poetry. Pound's vision of poetry is one that is raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. He wants his poetry to be a sword that cuts through the clutter of everyday life and reveals the truth beneath. This poem is a call to arms for all poets, a challenge to join Pound in his quest to create a new kind of poetry. If you are a poet, then you owe it to yourself to read this poem and take up Pound's challenge.
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