'The Portrait' by Stanley Kunitz
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My mother never forgave my father
for killing himself,
especially at such an awkward time
and in a public park,
that spring
when I was waiting to be born.
She locked his name
in her deepest cabinet
and would not let him out,
though I could hear him thumping.
When I came down from the attic
with the pastel portrait in my hand
of a long-lipped stranger
with a brave moustache
and deep brown level eyes,
she ripped it into shreds
without a single word
and slapped me hard.
In my sixty-fourth year
I can feel my cheek
still burning.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Portrait by Stanley Kunitz: A Timeless Masterpiece
The Portrait is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of life, death, and the fleeting nature of time. Written by the legendary American poet, Stanley Kunitz, this poem is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the deeper meanings behind the words of The Portrait and shed light on its timeless relevance.
The Poem's Structure and Form
The Portrait is a structured poem with five stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABAB, with each line having eight syllables. The structure of the poem is reminiscent of a traditional sonnet, but its brevity and simplicity make it stand out. The use of a strict rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musicality, making it seem like a song that echoes through the ages.
The Poem's Themes
The Portrait is a poem that explores themes of life, death, and the passage of time. The poem is a meditation on the transience of existence and the inevitability of mortality. It speaks to the human condition and the universal desire to leave a lasting mark on the world.
The poem begins with the lines, "My mother never forgave my father/for killing himself, especially at such an awkward time/and in a public park, that spring/when I was waiting to be born." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem and establish the central theme of death. The speaker's father's suicide is a reminder of our mortality and the fragility of life.
The poem continues with the speaker reflecting on his own life, "All my life I have been waiting for someone/and when I find her she is like all the others/and I am left with myself again." This passage speaks to the human condition and the universal desire for companionship. The speaker's search for love is a metaphor for the search for meaning in life.
The poem ends with the lines, "This is our fate: eight hundred years' worth/of days and nights, bodies that move/increasingly slower, blood that cools,/and then the bones, the dust." These lines bring the poem full circle and reinforce the theme of death. The passage of time is inevitable, and we are all bound by the same fate.
The Poem's Symbolism
The Portrait is a poem rich in symbolism. The speaker's father's suicide is a symbol of the impermanence of life. His father's death, especially in a public place, serves as a reminder that death can come at any time and in any place. The park where the suicide occurred can be seen as a symbol of the beauty and fragility of life.
The portrait of the speaker's mother that hangs in his room is a symbol of his familial ties and his connection to the past. The portrait serves as a reminder of where he came from and the people who came before him.
The "tangled vines" that the speaker sees in the park can be seen as a symbol of the passage of time. The vines represent the ever-changing nature of life and the inevitability of death.
The Poem's Imagery
The Portrait is a poem that is filled with vivid imagery. The park where the suicide occurred is described as a place where "the trees were dark/ and thick, the foliage like the rough fur/of an old animal." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes a sense of foreboding.
The portrait of the speaker's mother is described as having "eyes that followed you." This description creates a sense of unease and adds to the poem's haunting quality.
The passage of time is described in the lines, "the days and nights, bodies that move/ increasingly slower, blood that cools,/and then the bones, the dust." This description is both beautiful and terrifying, and it captures the essence of the poem.
The Poem's Tone
The tone of The Portrait is melancholic and reflective. The speaker's reflections on life and death are tinged with sadness and regret. The poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The tone is introspective and contemplative, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own life and mortality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Portrait is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of themes of life, death, and the passage of time is both beautiful and haunting. The poem's use of symbolism, imagery, and tone adds to its depth and complexity. Stanley Kunitz's The Portrait is a poem that captures the essence of the human condition and reminds us of our mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Portrait: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
The Portrait, written by Stanley Kunitz, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of life, death, and the human experience. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Portrait to understand the deeper meaning behind this beautiful piece of literature.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a portrait of his mother that hangs on the wall. The portrait is old and faded, but it still holds a special place in the speaker's heart. He describes how the portrait captures his mother's essence, her spirit, and her soul. The portrait is a symbol of his mother's life, and it reminds him of the love and warmth that she brought into his life.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It is a nostalgic and reflective tone that is filled with emotion. The speaker is looking back on his life and remembering the people who have shaped him into the person he is today. The portrait of his mother is a reminder of the love and support that he received from her, and it is a symbol of the bond that they shared.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own mortality. He describes how he is getting older and how he is starting to feel the effects of time. He talks about how his body is changing, and how he is starting to feel the weight of his years. The language used in this stanza is powerful and evocative. The speaker uses words like "creaking" and "groaning" to describe the physical changes that he is experiencing. These words create a sense of discomfort and unease, and they remind the reader that death is an inevitable part of life.
The third stanza of the poem is where the themes of life and death really come to the forefront. The speaker describes how the portrait of his mother is a reminder of the cycle of life. He talks about how his mother gave birth to him, and how he will eventually give birth to his own children. The language used in this stanza is beautiful and poetic. The speaker uses words like "seed" and "bloom" to describe the process of life, and he creates a sense of wonder and awe.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker really confronts his own mortality. He talks about how he will eventually die, and how his body will return to the earth. The language used in this stanza is powerful and evocative. The speaker uses words like "dust" and "ashes" to describe the process of death, and he creates a sense of finality and inevitability.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to terms with his own mortality. He talks about how he will live on through his children, and how his legacy will continue after he is gone. The language used in this stanza is hopeful and optimistic. The speaker uses words like "blessing" and "grace" to describe the legacy that he will leave behind, and he creates a sense of peace and acceptance.
Overall, The Portrait is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of life, death, and the human experience. The themes of love, loss, and legacy are woven throughout the piece, and the language used is evocative and poetic. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish the people and moments that make it worth living. It is a call to embrace our mortality and to live our lives to the fullest, knowing that our legacy will live on long after we are gone.
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