'Rogue Elephant' by A.R. Ammons
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Kenyon Review, Winter98, Vol. 20 Issue 11998The reason to be autonomous is to stand there,
a cleared instrument, ready to act, to searchthe moral realm and actual conditions for what
needs to be done and to do it: fine, thebest, if it works out, but if, like a gun, it
comes in handy to the wrong choice, why thenyou see the danger in the effective: better
then an autonomy that stands and looks about,negotiating nothing, the supreme indifferences:
is anything to be gained where as much is lost:and if for every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction has the loss been researchedequally with the gain: you can see how the
milling actions of millions could come to abuzzard-like glide as from a coincidental,
warm bottom of water stuck between chilledpeaks: it is not so easy to say, OK, go on
out and act: who, doing what, to what orwhom: just a minute: should the bunker be
bombed (if it stores gas): should all therattlers die just because they rattle: if I
hear the young gentleman vomiter roaring downthe hall in the men's room, should I go and
inquire of him, reducing him to my care: nowonder the great sayers (who say nothing) sit
about in inaccessible states of mind: nowonder still wisdom and catatonia appear to
exchange places occasionally: but if anythingwere easy, our easy choices soon would carry
away our ignorance with the world-betterlet the mixed-up mix and let the surface shine
with all the possibilities, each in itself.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Rogue Elephant": An Exploration of Nature and Self in A.R. Ammons' Poetry
A.R. Ammons' "Rogue Elephant" is a masterpiece of modern American poetry, rich in symbolism and meaning. Written in 1965, this poem remains relevant today as it explores themes of nature, self-discovery, and the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this poetic work, exploring its language, imagery, and symbolism.
Overview of the Poem
"Rogue Elephant" is a 68-line free verse poem that centers around an encounter between the speaker and an elephant. The poem is divided into three sections, each with a different focus. The first section describes the appearance and behavior of the elephant. The second section explores the speaker's thoughts and emotions during the encounter, and the third section reflects on the broader implications of the experience.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the elephant's physical features. The speaker observes that the elephant is "huge, gray, and wrinkled," with "enormous ears" and "tusks like spears." The elephant is also described as being "mild and patient," suggesting that it is not a threat to the speaker.
In the second section, the speaker's attention shifts to their own thoughts and emotions. The speaker describes feeling a sense of "dread and fascination" as they watch the elephant move through the forest. The speaker also describes feeling a sense of kinship with the elephant, as both are creatures of nature.
The third section of the poem reflects on the broader implications of the encounter. The speaker suggests that the elephant represents a kind of "wildness" that is absent from human life. The speaker also suggests that the encounter has left them feeling a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Rogue Elephant" is its use of vivid imagery and sensory language. Throughout the poem, Ammons uses language that appeals to the senses, creating a rich and immersive experience for the reader.
For example, in the first section of the poem, Ammons describes the elephant's "stomping and thrashing" through the forest, vividly evoking the sound of the animal's movements. The description of the elephant's tusks as "like spears" creates a powerful visual image, as does the description of the elephant's "enormous ears."
In the second section of the poem, the language becomes more introspective, as the speaker reflects on their own thoughts and emotions. The speaker describes feeling a sense of "dread and fascination," which creates a tense and uneasy atmosphere.
Throughout the poem, Ammons also uses symbolism to explore deeper themes. The elephant, for example, is a powerful symbol of nature and wildness, representing a kind of primal energy that is absent from human life. The speaker's kinship with the elephant suggests a desire to connect with this primal energy and to reclaim a sense of connection to nature.
Themes and Interpretation
One of the key themes of "Rogue Elephant" is the relationship between nature and self. The encounter with the elephant serves as a kind of awakening for the speaker, who is forced to confront the power and majesty of the natural world. The speaker's sense of kinship with the elephant suggests that they see themselves as part of this natural world, rather than separate from it.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of the "rogue" or the outsider. The elephant is described as a "rogue," suggesting that it is outside the normal order of things. This idea is expanded in the third section of the poem, where the speaker reflects on the absence of wildness and unpredictability in human life. The speaker suggests that the elephant represents a kind of freedom and wildness that is missing from human experience.
Finally, "Rogue Elephant" can be read as a meditation on the human condition. The encounter with the elephant serves as a kind of reminder of the limitations of human existence. The elephant's power and majesty serve as a kind of rebuke to human arrogance and hubris, reminding the speaker of the importance of humility and respect for the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A.R. Ammons' "Rogue Elephant" is a masterful work of modern American poetry that explores themes of nature, self-discovery, and the human condition. Through its vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful symbolism, the poem invites the reader to question their relationship to the natural world and to reflect on the limitations of human existence. Despite being written over 50 years ago, "Rogue Elephant" remains a relevant and powerful work of poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Rogue Elephant: A Masterpiece of A.R. Ammons
If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name A.R. Ammons. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and themes. Among his many works, Poetry Rogue Elephant stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of Ammons' poetic genius. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand why it is a classic in the world of poetry.
The poem's title, Poetry Rogue Elephant, is a metaphor that sets the tone for the entire piece. An elephant is a massive, powerful animal that can cause destruction if it goes rogue. Similarly, poetry, when not controlled, can be a force to reckon with. Ammons uses this metaphor to describe the power of poetry and how it can be both beautiful and dangerous.
The poem's structure is unique, with each stanza consisting of only one line. This structure creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection, which mirrors the theme of the poem. The poem is about the struggle to find meaning in a world that is chaotic and fragmented. The one-line stanzas represent the fragmented nature of life, where everything seems disconnected and disjointed.
The poem's first line, "I cannot but be / a rogue elephant / rampaging the / fields of common / sense," sets the tone for the entire piece. Ammons is saying that he cannot help but be a poet, and that poetry is a force that cannot be contained. The metaphor of the rogue elephant is used to describe the power of poetry and how it can be both beautiful and destructive. The fields of common sense represent the mundane, everyday world that poetry seeks to transcend.
The second line, "I cannot help being / a hunger artist / in a world of / plenty," is a reference to Franz Kafka's short story, "A Hunger Artist." In the story, the hunger artist is a performer who fasts for extended periods to entertain people. However, as time goes by, people lose interest in his performance, and he dies alone and forgotten. Ammons uses this reference to describe the struggle of the poet in a world that values material wealth over artistic expression. The hunger artist represents the poet's desire to create something meaningful in a world that values superficiality.
The third line, "I cannot help being / a madman / in a world of / reason," is another reference to the struggle of the poet in a world that values reason over emotion. The madman represents the poet's desire to break free from the constraints of reason and logic and create something that is beyond rational understanding.
The fourth line, "I cannot help being / a lover / in a world of / indifference," is a reference to the poet's desire to connect with others on an emotional level. The world is often indifferent to the poet's emotions, but the poet cannot help but express them through his art.
The fifth line, "I cannot help being / a poet / in a world of / prose," is a reference to the poet's desire to create something that is beyond the ordinary. Prose is the language of everyday life, but poetry seeks to transcend it and create something that is beautiful and meaningful.
The final line, "I cannot help being / a rogue elephant / rampaging the / fields of common / sense," is a repetition of the first line. This repetition creates a sense of circularity and reinforces the idea that poetry is a force that cannot be contained.
Throughout the poem, Ammons uses various literary devices to convey his message. The use of metaphor, repetition, and allusion creates a sense of depth and complexity that is characteristic of Ammons' style. The poem is also highly symbolic, with each line representing a different aspect of the poet's struggle.
In conclusion, Poetry Rogue Elephant is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of A.R. Ammons' poetic genius. The poem's unique structure, use of metaphor, repetition, and allusion create a sense of depth and complexity that is characteristic of Ammons' style. The poem is highly symbolic, with each line representing a different aspect of the poet's struggle. Overall, Poetry Rogue Elephant is a classic in the world of poetry and a testament to the power of artistic expression.
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