'Peter Quince At The Clavier' by Wallace Stevens
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Harmonium1923IJust as my fingers on these keys
Make music, so the self-same sounds
On my spirit make a music, too.
Music is feeling, then, not sound;
And thus it is that what I feel,
Here in this room, desiring you,Thinking of your blue-shadowed silk,
Is music. It is like the strain
Waked in the elders by Susanna;Of a green evening, clear and warm,
She bathed in her still garden, while
The red-eyed elders, watching, feltThe basses of their beings throb
In witching chords, and their thin blood
Pulse pizzicati of Hosanna.IIIn the green water, clear and warm,
Susanna lay.
She searched
The touch of springs,
And found
Concealed imaginings.
She sighed,
For so much melody.Upon the bank, she stood
In the cool
Of spent emotions.
She felt, among the leaves,
The dew
Of old devotions.She walked upon the grass,
Still quavering.
The winds were like her maids,
On timid feet,
Fetching her woven scarves,
Yet wavering.A breath upon her hand
Muted the night.
She turned --
A cymbal crashed,
Amid roaring horns.IIISoon, with a noise like tambourines,
Came her attendant Byzantines.They wondered why Susanna cried
Against the elders by her side;And as they whispered, the refrain
Was like a willow swept by rain.Anon, their lamps' uplifted flame
Revealed Susanna and her shame.And then, the simpering Byzantines
Fled, with a noise like tambourines.IVBeauty is momentary in the mind --
The fitful tracing of a portal;
But in the flesh it is immortal.The body dies; the body's beauty lives.
So evenings die, in their green going,
A wave, interminably flowing.
So gardens die, their meek breath scenting
The cowl of winter, done repenting.
So maidens die, to the auroral
Celebration of a maiden's choral.Susanna's music touched the bawdy strings
Of those white elders; but, escaping,
Left only Death's ironic scraping.
Now, in its immortality, it plays
On the clear viol of her memory,
And makes a constant sacrament of praise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Peter Quince At The Clavier" by Wallace Stevens: A Masterpiece of Literary Imagery and Symbolism
Wallace Stevens is one of the most celebrated poets of the modernist era, and his work "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a prime example of his visionary style. This poem is a true masterpiece of literary imagery and symbolism, and it deftly explores the theme of the creative process and the role of art in human life. Through its rich and evocative language, "Peter Quince at the Clavier" invites us to explore the deeper mysteries of human existence and the power of imagination to transform our world.
The Music of Language
From the opening lines of "Peter Quince at the Clavier," Stevens establishes a musical rhythm that carries the reader along on a wave of sound and meaning:
Just as my fingers on these keys Make music, so the self-same sounds On my spirit make a music, too.
These lines are a perfect example of Stevens' skillful use of language to create a sense of musicality and rhythm in his poetry. The repetition of the word "music" and the use of alliteration and assonance create a hypnotic effect that draws the reader in and immerses them in the world of the poem. This is just the beginning of a journey through a world of sound and imagery that is both beautiful and haunting.
The Role of Art in Human Life
"Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores the role of art in human life. The speaker of the poem, presumably Stevens himself, muses on the nature of creativity and the power of music to communicate emotions and ideas in a way that words cannot. He imagines the figure of Peter Quince, who in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a carpenter who puts on a play with a group of amateur actors. In Stevens' version, Peter Quince is a musician who creates music that speaks to the soul:
He dreamed Of melody, that what he heard was the sound Of his own spirit achieved in a melodious form.
Stevens uses the figure of Peter Quince to illustrate the idea that art is not just a form of entertainment, but a way of expressing the deepest truths and emotions of the human spirit. By creating beautiful and meaningful works of art, we can transcend the limitations of our everyday existence and touch something that is timeless and universal.
The Power of Imagination
One of the key themes of "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is the power of imagination to transform our world. The speaker of the poem imagines a world in which music is not just a pleasant diversion, but a force that can change the course of history:
The music that they heard Was the music of a speech, And The music of a speech Is the music of the spheres.
Stevens uses poetic language to create a vivid picture of a world in which music is a language that can be understood by all, and in which the power of imagination is the driving force behind human progress. This idea is both beautiful and inspiring, and it speaks to the essential human desire to create something meaningful and lasting in the world.
The Beauty of Nature
Another important theme of "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is the beauty of nature and its power to inspire us. Stevens uses vivid and evocative language to describe the natural world, painting a picture of a world that is both awe-inspiring and humbling:
The green freedom of a cockatoo That flashes where the orchard trees Are shadows of themselves in the noonday moon.
This image of the cockatoo is just one of many examples of Stevens' skill at creating powerful and evocative imagery. By painting pictures with words, he invites the reader to contemplate the beauty of the natural world and its profound impact on our lives.
The Meaning of Life
At its core, "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a poem about the meaning of life and the quest for meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless. Stevens uses the figure of Peter Quince to illustrate the idea that we are all searching for something that is greater than ourselves:
He sought to know What his imagination meant By his maker's Word.
This quest for meaning is at the heart of human existence, and Stevens suggests that it is through art and imagination that we can find the answers we seek. By creating something beautiful and meaningful, we can transcend our own limitations and connect with something that is greater than ourselves.
Conclusion
"Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a truly remarkable poem that speaks to the deepest truths and aspirations of the human spirit. Through its use of vivid and evocative language, Stevens creates a world that is both beautiful and haunting, and he invites the reader to explore the deeper mysteries of human existence. This poem is a testament to the power of imagination and creativity, and it reminds us that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. In short, "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that deserves to be celebrated and studied for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wallace Stevens' "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a classic poem that explores the themes of art, beauty, and the human condition. The poem is a meditation on the power of music and its ability to transcend the limitations of language and communicate the deepest emotions of the human soul. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem and their significance in conveying the poet's message.
The poem begins with a description of Peter Quince, a character from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," playing the piano. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with their lyrical and musical quality:
"Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory— Odours, when sweet violets sicken, Live within the sense they quicken."
These lines establish the central theme of the poem, which is the power of music to evoke emotions and memories that transcend the limitations of language. The use of the word "vibrates" suggests the physical and emotional impact of music on the listener, while the reference to "sweet violets" evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing.
The poem then shifts to a description of the piano itself, which is personified as a living entity:
"The piano, lidless, waits, Sighing a song it knows, a kind of death, In which it has no part, a mournful family."
This personification of the piano as a living entity underscores the idea that music is not just a collection of notes and rhythms, but a living, breathing art form that has the power to move and inspire us. The reference to the piano "sighing a song it knows" suggests that music is not just something that we create, but something that exists independently of us, waiting to be discovered and brought to life.
The poem then shifts to a description of the room in which Peter Quince is playing, which is described as a "dim-lit, perfumed chamber." This description creates a sense of intimacy and privacy, suggesting that the music being played is not meant for public consumption, but is a private expression of the musician's innermost thoughts and emotions.
The poem then moves to a description of the music itself, which is described as "a song of love and death." This description underscores the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a powerful expression of the human condition, capable of conveying the deepest emotions and experiences of our lives.
The poem then shifts to a description of the audience, who are described as "the women who have loved him." This description suggests that the music being played is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's relationships and experiences. The reference to "the women who have loved him" suggests that the music is a reflection of the musician's relationships with women, and the emotions and experiences that those relationships have inspired.
The poem then moves to a description of the musician himself, who is described as "a man who has grown old in love." This description underscores the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's life experiences and emotions. The reference to the musician growing old in love suggests that the music is a reflection of the musician's lifelong relationship with love, and the emotions and experiences that relationship has inspired.
The poem then shifts to a description of the music itself, which is described as "a song of love and death." This description underscores the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a powerful expression of the human condition, capable of conveying the deepest emotions and experiences of our lives.
The poem then moves to a description of the audience, who are described as "the women who have loved him." This description suggests that the music being played is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's relationships and experiences. The reference to "the women who have loved him" suggests that the music is a reflection of the musician's relationships with women, and the emotions and experiences that those relationships have inspired.
The poem then moves to a description of the musician himself, who is described as "a man who has grown old in love." This description underscores the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's life experiences and emotions. The reference to the musician growing old in love suggests that the music is a reflection of the musician's lifelong relationship with love, and the emotions and experiences that relationship has inspired.
The poem then concludes with a powerful image of the musician and his music:
"His music is in the piano, hidden from sight, And he is in the music, lost to sight."
This image underscores the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's innermost thoughts and emotions. The reference to the musician being "lost to sight" suggests that the music is a reflection of the musician's deepest self, and that through his music, he has achieved a kind of transcendence, rising above the limitations of language and communicating the deepest emotions of the human soul.
In conclusion, Wallace Stevens' "Peter Quince at the Clavier" is a powerful meditation on the power of music to transcend the limitations of language and communicate the deepest emotions of the human soul. Through its lyrical and musical language, the poem evokes a sense of intimacy and privacy, suggesting that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a deeply personal expression of the musician's innermost thoughts and emotions. The poem's central theme of the power of music to evoke emotions and memories that transcend the limitations of language is underscored by its powerful imagery and personification of the piano as a living entity. Ultimately, the poem suggests that through his music, the musician has achieved a kind of transcendence, rising above the limitations of language and communicating the deepest emotions of the human soul.
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