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'Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself' by Wallace Stevens


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At the earliest ending of winter,
In March, a scrawny cry from outside
Seemed like a sound in his mind.He knew that he heard it,
A bird's cry, at daylight or before,
In the early March wind.The sun was rising at six,
No longer a battered panache above snow...
It would have been outside.It was not from the vast ventriloquism
Of sleep's faded papier-mâché...
The sun was coming from the outside.That scrawny cry&mdasp;It was
A chorister whose c preceded the choir.
It was part of the colossal sun,Surrounded by its choral rings,
Still far away. It was like
A new knowledge of reality.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself by Wallace Stevens

Wallace Stevens, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote "Poetry, Not Ideas About the Thing But the Thing Itself" in 1935. This poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of poetry, as well as a commentary on the relationship between reality and language. Stevens argues that poetry is not simply a reflection of reality, but rather an independent creation that stands on its own merits.

The poem begins with the assertion that "It must be the finding of a satisfaction". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is essentially an exploration of what that satisfaction might be. Stevens suggests that the satisfaction of poetry lies not in the ideas it expresses but in the experience of the thing itself. In other words, poetry is not meant to be a vehicle for conveying ideas or messages, but rather a means of experiencing the world in a more intense and immediate way. As Stevens puts it:

"It was part of your meaning
To convey, the very thing that you could not convey."

This paradoxical statement is at the heart of Stevens' argument. The thing that poetry conveys is something that cannot be put into words or ideas. It is a direct experience of reality that can only be captured through the use of language. This is why Stevens places such a high value on the power of words. He believes that words have the ability to create a reality that is independent of the physical world.

Stevens goes on to describe the process of creating poetry as a "supreme fiction". This term is meant to convey the idea that poetry is not simply a representation of reality, but rather a creation that exists on its own terms. The poet, according to Stevens, is a maker of fictions who uses words to create a new reality that is distinct from the world we inhabit.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the "blackbird whistling". This image is significant for several reasons. First, it represents the idea of pure experience, without any accompanying ideas or concepts. The blackbird's whistle is not a symbol or a metaphor, but simply a pure sound that exists in the world. Secondly, the blackbird is a symbol of freedom and independence. It is a creature that exists on its own terms, without any regard for the opinions or expectations of others. In this sense, the blackbird represents the ideal of poetry as a form of pure expression that is not constrained by external factors.

Overall, "Poetry, Not Ideas About the Thing But the Thing Itself" is a powerful meditation on the nature of poetry and its relationship to reality. Stevens' argument is that poetry is not simply a reflection of reality, but rather an independent creation that has its own reality. By focusing on the experience of the thing itself, rather than the ideas or messages that it might convey, Stevens shows us that poetry has the power to create a new reality that is both beautiful and meaningful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself: A Masterpiece by Wallace Stevens

Wallace Stevens, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself." This poem is a masterpiece that has been analyzed and appreciated by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Stevens to convey his message.

The poem opens with the line, "At the earliest ending of winter." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests the beginning of a new season, a time of renewal and growth. The poem's title, "Poetry Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself," is also introduced in the first line. This title is significant as it suggests that poetry should not be about abstract ideas but should focus on the tangible, physical world.

The second line of the poem reads, "In March, a scrawny cry from outside." This line is a reference to the arrival of spring, which is often associated with the chirping of birds. The use of the word "scrawny" suggests that the bird's cry is weak and feeble, which is a contrast to the strength and vitality of spring.

The third line of the poem reads, "Seeks out through the loud wire." This line is a reference to the bird's song, which is heard through the "loud wire" of the telephone wires. The use of the word "loud" suggests that the bird's song is powerful and can be heard over the noise of the world.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The chill azaleas." This line is a reference to the azalea plant, which is often associated with spring. The use of the word "chill" suggests that the azaleas are still recovering from the cold winter and are not yet in full bloom.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Like a child's face." This line is a simile that compares the azaleas to a child's face. The use of this simile suggests that the azaleas are innocent and pure, like a child.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Mine eye has permitted no change." This line is a reference to the speaker's perception of the world. The use of the word "eye" suggests that the speaker is observing the world around them and that they have not allowed their perception to be influenced by external factors.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "I am still." This line is a reference to the speaker's state of being. The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker is calm and at peace.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "The glass forms a vacuum." This line is a reference to the speaker's surroundings. The use of the word "glass" suggests that the speaker is inside a building, and the use of the word "vacuum" suggests that the speaker is isolated from the outside world.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "I am a nun, whose feet are planted on the floor." This line is a metaphor that compares the speaker to a nun. The use of this metaphor suggests that the speaker is dedicated to their craft, like a nun is dedicated to their religion. The use of the phrase "feet are planted on the floor" suggests that the speaker is grounded and focused.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "My heart is buried in the earth." This line is a metaphor that compares the speaker's heart to the earth. The use of this metaphor suggests that the speaker is connected to the natural world and that their emotions are rooted in the physical world.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Alone, and I am waiting for you." This line is a reference to the speaker's desire for connection. The use of the word "alone" suggests that the speaker is isolated, and the use of the phrase "waiting for you" suggests that the speaker is waiting for someone to connect with.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "Again, the sky is blue and white." This line is a reference to the speaker's surroundings. The use of the words "blue and white" suggests that the speaker is looking at a clear sky.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "The sun is on the slope." This line is a reference to the position of the sun in the sky. The use of the word "slope" suggests that the sun is setting or rising.

The fourteenth line of the poem reads, "And the lilies are back on the water." This line is a reference to the lilies that grow in bodies of water. The use of the word "back" suggests that the lilies have returned after a period of absence.

The fifteenth line of the poem reads, "The world is shining in the sun." This line is a reference to the beauty of the natural world. The use of the word "shining" suggests that the world is radiant and full of life.

The sixteenth line of the poem reads, "And I am alive." This line is a reference to the speaker's state of being. The use of the word "alive" suggests that the speaker is full of energy and vitality.

The poem's structure is significant as it is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which is reflective of the poem's message. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line, is also significant as it creates a sense of flow and continuity.

Stevens uses several literary devices in the poem, including simile, metaphor, and personification. These devices are used to convey the poem's message and to create a sense of imagery and emotion.

In conclusion, "Poetry Not Ideas About The Thing But The Thing Itself" is a masterpiece by Wallace Stevens. The poem's message, structure, and literary devices are all significant in conveying the beauty and importance of the physical world. Stevens' use of language and imagery creates a sense of emotion and connection, which is reflective of the poem's message. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to connect us to the world around us.

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