'Salutation' by Ezra Pound
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O generation of the thoroughly smug
and the thoroughly uncomfortable,
I have seen fishermen picknicking in the sun,
I have seen them with untidy families,
I have seen their smiles full of teeth
and heard ungainly laughter.
And I am happier than you are,
And they were happier than I am;
And the fish swim in the lake
and do not even own clothing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Salutation by Ezra Pound: A Celebration of Beauty and Love
When it comes to modernist poetry, Ezra Pound is undoubtedly one of the most important and controversial figures of the 20th century. His works, which are characterized by their experimental style, intricate imagery, and often obscure allusions, have inspired both admiration and frustration among readers and scholars alike. One of Pound's most celebrated poems is "Salutation", a short but powerful tribute to the beauty and vitality of a woman he loved. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, language, and structure of "Salutation" in detail, and argue that it is a masterpiece of poetic expression and emotional intensity.
Background and Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. "Salutation" was composed in 1911, at a time when Pound was living in London and had become deeply involved in the literary and artistic avant-garde. He was part of a circle of writers and artists that included T. S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Wyndham Lewis, among others, and was actively seeking to create a new form of art that would break with the traditions of the past and embrace the energy and vitality of the present. Pound's poetry, like that of his contemporaries, was marked by a rejection of conventional forms of expression and a search for new ways of representing reality.
It is also worth noting that "Salutation" was written at a particular moment in Pound's personal life. He had recently met and fallen in love with a woman named Olivia Shakespear, who was herself a writer and a member of the literary circle in which Pound moved. While their relationship was never fully consummated, Pound was deeply affected by Shakespear's beauty and intelligence, and his feelings for her inspired some of his most powerful works, including "Salutation". The poem can be read, therefore, as a celebration of love and desire, but also as an exploration of the tension between the ideal and the real, the imagined and the concrete.
Themes and Imagery
The central theme of "Salutation" is the celebration of feminine beauty and vitality. The poem opens with a direct address to a woman whose name is never revealed, but who is described in glowing terms as the embodiment of life and energy:
O generation of the thoroughly smug
and thoroughly uncomfortable,
I have seen fishermen picnicking in the sun,
I have seen them with untidy families,
I have seen their smiles full of teeth
and heard ungainly laughter.
And I am happier than you are,
And they were happier than I am;
And the fish swim in the lake
and do not even own clothing.
The contrast between the "generation of the thoroughly smug" and the fishermen who are "happier than you are" sets up a dichotomy between the stifling conformity of modern life and the vitality and spontaneity of nature. Pound suggests that the woman he is addressing embodies this energy and vitality, and that her presence in his life has transformed his existence:
She bursts the bubbles in the champagne
and laughs
and at night when I lie on my bed
and the winds are soft
I hear a voice crying "tangerine"
and the moon comes
and the sunsets are thrown into the sea
and I am here without you.
The imagery in this passage is rich and evocative, combining sensory details (the taste of champagne, the sound of laughter) with natural elements (the wind, the moon, the sea) to create a dreamlike and sensual atmosphere. The use of synesthesia – the association of one sense with another – is particularly effective in creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The woman's voice is heard crying "tangerine", a word that is not only visual but also tangy and sweet, and that suggests both the exotic and the familiar.
Throughout the poem, Pound uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey the woman's beauty and vitality. She is compared to a bird, a flame, a star, and a flower, among other things, and each comparison contributes to a sense of her being both ethereal and grounded, both otherworldly and deeply connected to the natural world. For example, in the following lines, Pound compares the woman to a star and suggests that her beauty is not just external but emanates from within:
The petals fall in the fountain,
the orange-coloured rose-leaves,
Their ochre clings to the stone.
A wind moves over the water,
and she comes,
leaning on a garden urn,
The sunken goldfish shudder,
and the shy white horse shudders.
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Beautiful Arbitrary Living.
She moves with the lightness of a flower,
feels like a bird,
like the running of a hare
under the moon,
like the running of the moon
on the water.
The juxtaposition of the "orange-coloured rose-leaves" and the "sunken goldfish" with the woman's ethereal presence creates a sense of wonder and enchantment. The image of the white horse shuddering in her presence suggests both fear and awe, and underscores the power of her beauty.
Language and Structure
As with most of Pound's poetry, "Salutation" is characterized by a dense and allusive language that requires close attention to detail in order to fully appreciate. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter, and its form is determined by the shifting rhythms and patterns of the language itself. Pound employs a variety of poetic techniques, including repetition, alliteration, and assonance, to create a sense of musicality and intensity.
One of the most striking features of the poem is Pound's use of punctuation, or lack thereof. The poem is punctuated very sparsely, and often the meaning of the lines and the relationships between them are ambiguous. For example, in the following lines, it is not immediately clear whether the phrase "Beautiful Arbitrary Living" is a separate thought or part of the preceding sentence:
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Beautiful Arbitrary Living.
The effect of this lack of punctuation is to create a sense of fluidity and openness, as if the poem is constantly shifting and evolving. It also emphasizes the emotional intensity of the speaker's feelings, as if he is unable to contain them within conventional syntactical structures.
In addition to its language and structure, "Salutation" is notable for its use of allusion and reference. Pound was deeply influenced by the literary traditions of the past, and his poetry is full of references to classical mythology, medieval literature, and other sources. In "Salutation", we see this influence in the use of the word "tangerine", which is a reference to an ancient Chinese poem by Li Po. Pound was also influenced by the French symbolist poets, who sought to use language to convey inner states of being rather than external reality. We can see this influence in the use of synesthesia and the emphasis on the subjective experience of the speaker.
Conclusion
In "Salutation", Ezra Pound creates a powerful and evocative tribute to the beauty and vitality of a woman he loved. Through the use of dense and allusive language, rich imagery, and a fluid and open structure, he conveys the emotional intensity and sensuality of his feelings. The poem can be read as a celebration of love and desire, but also as a critique of the stifling conformity of modern life and a call to embrace the energy and spontaneity of nature. Pound's innovative use of language and form, combined with his deep knowledge of literary tradition, make "Salutation" a masterpiece of modernist poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Salutation: An Ode to the Power of Poetry
Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, wrote the Poetry Salutation as a tribute to the power of poetry. This classic poem is a celebration of the beauty and significance of poetry, and it has inspired generations of poets and readers alike. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of the Poetry Salutation, and why it continues to be relevant today.
The Poetry Salutation is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, within these six lines, Pound manages to capture the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. The poem begins with the words "With usura hath no man a house of good stone." This line is a reference to the practice of usury, which is the lending of money at an exorbitant rate of interest. Pound is suggesting that the pursuit of wealth through usury leads to the degradation of society, and that true value lies in the creation of something beautiful and lasting.
The next line, "Each block cut smooth and well fitting," is a metaphor for the art of poetry. Just as a skilled mason can create a beautiful and sturdy building, a skilled poet can create a work of art that is both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating. The use of the word "block" suggests that poetry is a building process, and that each word and line must be carefully crafted to create a cohesive whole.
The third line, "That design might cover their face," is a reference to the idea that poetry can be a mask or a disguise. Just as a mask can hide a person's true identity, poetry can be used to express ideas and emotions that might otherwise be difficult to articulate. Pound is suggesting that poetry can be a powerful tool for self-expression and communication.
The fourth line, "With usura hath no man a painted paradise on his church wall," is another reference to the practice of usury. Pound is suggesting that the pursuit of wealth through usury leads to the degradation of art and culture. The image of a painted paradise on a church wall is a metaphor for the beauty and transcendence that art can provide. Pound is suggesting that true art is not created for profit, but for the sake of beauty and inspiration.
The fifth line, "Harpes et luz," is a reference to the musical instruments of the harp and lute. Pound is suggesting that poetry, like music, can be a source of beauty and harmony. The use of the French words adds a musical quality to the poem, and suggests that poetry can transcend language and cultural barriers.
The final line, "Do not move," is a command to the reader. Pound is suggesting that the power of poetry is so great that it can stop time and hold the reader in a moment of contemplation and reflection. The use of the imperative mood adds a sense of urgency to the poem, and suggests that the reader must pay attention to the power of poetry.
Overall, the Poetry Salutation is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire, to communicate, and to create beauty. Pound is suggesting that poetry is not just a form of entertainment, but a vital part of our cultural heritage. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to appreciate and value the art of poetry.
In conclusion, the Poetry Salutation is a classic poem that continues to be relevant today. Its message of the importance of poetry and the power of art is as relevant now as it was when it was first written. Pound's use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid and powerful picture of the role of poetry in our lives. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and to transform.
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