'Portrait d'Une Femme' by Ezra Pound

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Your mind and you are our Sargasso Sea,
London has swept about you this score years
And bright ships left you this or that in fee:
Ideas, old gossip, oddments of all things,
Strange spars of knowledge and dimmed wares of price.
Great minds have sought you- lacking someone else.
You have been second always. Tragical?
No. You preferred it to the usual thing:
One dull man, dulling and uxorious,
One average mind- with one thought less, each year.
Oh, you are patient, I have seen you sit
Hours, where something might have floated up.
And now you pay one. Yes, you richly pay.
You are a person of some interest, one comes to you
And takes strange gain away:
Trophies fished up; some curious suggestion;
Fact that leads nowhere; and a tale for two,
Pregnant with mandrakes, or with something else
That might prove useful and yet never proves,
That never fits a corner or shows use,
Or finds its hour upon the loom of days:
The tarnished, gaudy, wonderful old work;
Idols and ambergris and rare inlays,
These are your riches, your great store; and yet
For all this sea-hoard of deciduous things,
Strange woods half sodden, and new brighter stuff:
In the slow float of differing light and deep,
No! there is nothing! In the whole and all,
Nothing that's quite your own.
Yet this is you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Portrait d'Une Femme is a poem written by Ezra Pound in 1912. The poem consists of six stanzas and is written in free verse. This poem is a perfect example of Pound's unique writing style, which is characterized by the use of modernist techniques such as fragmentation, juxtaposition, and allusion. It is a complex poem that requires careful analysis to fully understand the meaning and message conveyed by the poet.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of a woman who is sitting "in the early morning," looking out of the window. The poet describes her as being "sweet" and "calm" and suggests that she is a reflection of the world outside. The woman is not described in detail, but the poet's use of imagery creates a vivid picture of her in the reader's mind.

The second stanza of the poem is one of the most significant. The poet suggests that the woman is surrounded by "perfumes" and "flaming gold" and that she is a "firm white breast." This description is significant because it is suggestive of the woman's beauty and sexuality. The use of the word "firm" suggests a sense of strength and power and implies that the woman is not to be underestimated.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most cryptic. The poet describes the woman as being "dark" and "slender" and suggests that she is "sly." This description is significant because it suggests that the woman is not to be trusted. The use of the word "sly" suggests that the woman is manipulative and cunning, and that she is capable of using her beauty and sexuality to get what she wants.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a continuation of the theme of the third stanza. The poet suggests that the woman is "sad" and that she is "in the midst of charm." This description is significant because it suggests that the woman is not happy with her life, despite her beauty and the attention she receives from men. The use of the word "charm" is significant because it suggests that the woman's beauty is her only asset, and that she has nothing else to offer.

The fifth stanza of the poem is the most explicit in terms of its meaning. The poet suggests that the woman is "false" and that she is "full of deceit." This description is significant because it suggests that the woman is not who she appears to be. The use of the word "false" suggests that the woman is not honest, and that she is capable of deceiving those around her. The use of the word "deceit" suggests that the woman is not only dishonest, but also manipulative and cunning.

The final stanza of the poem is a conclusion to the themes explored throughout the poem. The poet suggests that the woman is "fair" and "cold," and that she is "proud" and "unkind." This description is significant because it suggests that the woman is not only beautiful, but also cold and distant. The use of the word "proud" suggests that the woman is aware of her beauty and that she uses it to her advantage. The use of the word "unkind" suggests that the woman is not only cold, but also cruel.

Interpretation

The poem Portrait d'Une Femme is a complex and challenging work of literature. It is a reflection of Pound's unique writing style, which is characterized by the use of modernist techniques such as fragmentation, juxtaposition, and allusion. This poem is an exploration of the theme of beauty and its relationship to honesty and truthfulness.

The woman described in the poem is beautiful, but she is also deceitful, manipulative, and cold. The poet suggests that her beauty is a façade, and that she uses it to deceive those around her. The use of imagery in the poem creates a vivid picture of the woman in the reader's mind and suggests that her beauty is both a blessing and a curse.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the role of women in society. The woman in the poem is beautiful, but she is also helpless and dependent on the attention of men. The use of the word "charm" suggests that her beauty is her only asset, and that she has nothing else to offer. This interpretation is significant because it suggests that women are valued only for their beauty and that they are not valued for their intelligence or their talents.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the modern world. The use of modernist techniques in the poem suggests that Pound is commenting on the fragmentation and chaos of modern society. The woman in the poem is a reflection of this chaos and fragmentation, and her beauty is a product of this. This interpretation is significant because it suggests that the modern world is chaotic and fragmented, and that beauty is a reflection of this chaos.

Conclusion

Portrait d'Une Femme is a complex and challenging poem that requires careful analysis to fully understand its meaning and message. The poem is a reflection of Pound's unique writing style and explores the theme of beauty and its relationship to honesty and truthfulness. The woman described in the poem is beautiful, but she is also deceitful, manipulative, and cold. The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the role of women in society and as a critique of the modern world. Overall, Portrait d'Une Femme is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that continues to inspire readers and critics alike.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Portrait d'Une Femme: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion

Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, is known for his innovative style and use of imagery. His poem "Portrait d'Une Femme" is a perfect example of his mastery of language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers.

The poem is a portrait of a woman, described in vivid detail through a series of images and metaphors. Pound's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem, as he paints a picture of the woman's beauty and complexity through a series of contrasting images.

The poem begins with the line "Your mind and you are our Sargasso Sea," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The Sargasso Sea is a vast, swirling mass of seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its stillness and the way it traps ships that venture too close. Pound uses this image to suggest that the woman's mind is a deep, mysterious place, full of hidden depths and secrets.

He goes on to describe the woman's physical appearance, using a series of contrasting images to capture her beauty and complexity. He describes her as "a gold-feathered bird," suggesting both her beauty and her fragility. He also compares her to a "black branch," suggesting her strength and resilience.

Throughout the poem, Pound uses a series of metaphors to describe the woman's emotional state. He describes her as "a rose in the wind," suggesting her vulnerability and her ability to be buffeted by the forces of life. He also compares her to a "white stone," suggesting her stoicism and her ability to endure even the most difficult of circumstances.

One of the most striking images in the poem is Pound's description of the woman's eyes. He describes them as "two bright stars," suggesting both their beauty and their intensity. He also compares them to "two ships," suggesting their ability to navigate the treacherous waters of life.

Throughout the poem, Pound uses a series of contrasts to capture the woman's complexity. He describes her as both "a gold-feathered bird" and "a black branch," suggesting both her beauty and her strength. He also describes her as both "a rose in the wind" and "a white stone," suggesting both her vulnerability and her stoicism.

The poem ends with the line "And yet you are not, / I but awoke, a sudden rainbow." This line suggests that the woman is not a physical presence, but rather a figment of the speaker's imagination. The sudden appearance of the rainbow suggests that the woman is a fleeting, ephemeral presence, one that is both beautiful and elusive.

Overall, "Portrait d'Une Femme" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion. Pound's use of contrasting images and metaphors captures the complexity of the woman he is describing, while also evoking powerful emotions in his readers. The poem is a testament to Pound's mastery of language and his ability to create vivid, unforgettable images with his words.

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