'A High-Toned Old Christian Woman' by Wallace Stevens
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Poetry is the supreme fiction, madame.
Take the moral law and make a nave of it
And from the nave build haunted heaven. Thus,
The conscience is converted into palms,
Like windy citherns hankering for hymns.
We agree in principle. That's clear. But take
The opposing law and make a peristyle,
And from the peristyle project a masque
Beyond the planets. Thus, our bawdiness,
Unpurged by epitaph, indulged at last,
Is equally converted into palms,
Squiggling like saxophones. And palm for palm,
Madame, we are where we began. Allow,
Therefore, that in the planetary scene
Your disaffected flagellants, well-stuffed,
Smacking their muzzy bellies in parade,
Proud of such novelties of the sublime,
Such tink and tank and tunk-a-tunk-tunk,
May, merely may, madame, whip from themselves
A jovial hullabaloo among the spheres.
This will make widows wince. But fictive things
Wink as they will. Wink most when widows wince.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" by Wallace Stevens: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance
When it comes to poetry, there are few names more revered than Wallace Stevens. A master of the form, Stevens has written some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking poems in the English language. One of his finest works is "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman," a piece that showcases his mastery of language and his ability to play with ideas and imagery in unexpected ways.
The Poem Itself
"A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only six stanzas. However, in those six stanzas, Stevens manages to pack in a wealth of ideas and imagery. The poem begins with a description of the titular "old Christian woman," who is described as being "too high-toned for the ear / Of the modern street." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of contrasts between the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.
In the next stanza, Stevens introduces the idea of music, describing the woman as being "skilled in music." This is a key theme throughout the poem, as Stevens uses music as a metaphor for the woman's traditional values and beliefs. He contrasts this with the "bawds of euphony" – a reference to modern music and popular culture – that the woman rejects.
The third stanza is where the poem really starts to take off. Stevens introduces the idea of "aestheticism," which he defines as "The gods are pleased, and mortals all / Are pleased with sacrifices." This is a direct contrast to the woman's Christianity, which emphasizes self-denial and sacrifice. Stevens seems to be suggesting that the woman's traditional values are being threatened by the rise of aestheticism and the worship of beauty for its own sake.
The fourth and fifth stanzas continue this theme, as Stevens describes the woman's rejection of modern culture and her preference for the "antique syntax" of the Bible. He also contrasts the woman's Christianity with the "new paganism" that is sweeping the world. This is a clear indictment of modern society and its rejection of traditional values.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, as Stevens describes the woman's "sacrifice" of her traditional beliefs in order to embrace the modern world. He describes her as being "born again" and "renewed," but there is a sense of sadness and loss in these final lines. Stevens seems to be suggesting that the woman has given up something of value in order to fit in with the modern world.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? What is Stevens trying to say with this poem? There are a number of different interpretations, but one of the most common is that the poem is a critique of modernity and the loss of traditional values. Stevens seems to be suggesting that the rise of aestheticism and the worship of beauty for its own sake is a threat to Christianity and traditional beliefs.
At the same time, Stevens is not necessarily advocating for a return to the past. Instead, he seems to be suggesting that there is a tension between the old and the new, and that it is possible to find a balance between the two. The woman in the poem is not rejecting modernity outright, but is instead finding a way to reconcile her traditional beliefs with the changes that are happening in the world.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the role of art and culture in society. Stevens seems to be suggesting that there is a danger in valuing beauty over substance, and that the worship of art and culture can lead to a rejection of traditional values. At the same time, Stevens is not necessarily rejecting art and culture outright, but is instead suggesting that there is a way to appreciate these things without losing sight of what is truly important.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance. Stevens manages to pack a wealth of ideas and imagery into a relatively short poem, and his use of language is nothing short of stunning. The poem is a critique of modernity and the loss of traditional values, but it is also a commentary on the role of art and culture in society. Ultimately, the poem is a call for balance – a reminder that it is possible to appreciate the new while still holding on to the old.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and challenge our perceptions of the world. One such poem that does all of these things is "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" by Wallace Stevens. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of religion, art, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a "high-toned old Christian woman" who is "too old to learn the new tricks." The speaker seems to be mocking the woman's religious beliefs and her resistance to change. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker is not simply mocking the woman but is using her as a symbol for the larger societal attitudes towards religion and art.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the woman as "a savor of ivory and salt" and "a symbol of the aristocracy." These descriptions suggest that the woman is a relic of a bygone era, a time when religion and art were intertwined and enjoyed by the upper classes. However, the speaker also suggests that the woman is out of touch with the modern world and is resistant to change. This is evident in the line "She knows only what she knows," which suggests that the woman is closed-minded and unwilling to learn.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of the woman's resistance to change. The speaker describes the woman as "a woman of the world" who is "not afraid to say what she thinks." However, the speaker also suggests that the woman's opinions are outdated and irrelevant. This is evident in the line "Her mind is not only white but clear," which suggests that the woman's thoughts are simplistic and lack depth.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's true intentions become clear. The speaker describes the woman as "a figure of the passion of New York" and suggests that she is a symbol for the larger societal attitudes towards religion and art. The line "She has been seized by what she cannot grasp" suggests that the woman is struggling to understand the changes that are happening around her. This is a common theme in modernist literature, where writers often explore the idea of the individual struggling to come to terms with the rapidly changing world.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker's criticism of the woman's religious beliefs becomes more apparent. The speaker describes the woman as "a martyr to a motion not her own" and suggests that her religious beliefs are not based on her own experiences but on the beliefs of others. The line "She is not afraid to die" suggests that the woman's religious beliefs are based on the promise of an afterlife rather than a genuine belief in a higher power.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker's criticism of the woman's resistance to change becomes more apparent. The speaker describes the woman as "a voice that is not hers" and suggests that she is simply repeating the beliefs of others. The line "She hears upon that water without sound" suggests that the woman is not really listening to the world around her but is simply repeating what she has been told.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's true intentions become clear. The speaker describes the woman as "a candle in the thighs" and suggests that she is a symbol for the larger societal attitudes towards religion and art. The line "She has become an expert in the occult" suggests that the woman is trying to understand the changes that are happening around her but is struggling to do so. This is a common theme in modernist literature, where writers often explore the idea of the individual struggling to come to terms with the rapidly changing world.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This is typical of modernist poetry, which often rejected traditional forms of poetry in favor of more experimental forms. The lack of a specific rhyme scheme or meter allows the poem to flow more freely and gives the speaker more room to explore the themes of the poem.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of imagery and symbolism. The use of imagery, such as the description of the woman as "a savor of ivory and salt," helps to create a vivid picture of the woman in the reader's mind. The use of symbolism, such as the woman being a symbol for the larger societal attitudes towards religion and art, helps to give the poem a deeper meaning.
In conclusion, "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of religion, art, and the human condition. The poem uses the figure of the woman as a symbol for the larger societal attitudes towards religion and art and explores the idea of the individual struggling to come to terms with the rapidly changing world. The poem's use of free verse, imagery, and symbolism all contribute to its overall impact and make it a must-read for anyone interested in modernist poetry.
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