'Slant' by Stephen Dunn
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Yesterday, for a long while,
the early morning sunlight
in the trees was sufficient,
replaced by a hello
from a long-limbed woman
pedaling her bike,
whereupon the wind came up,
dispersing the mosquitoes.
Blessings, all.
I'd come so far, it seemed,
happily looking for so little.
But then I saw a cow in a room
looking at the painting of a cow
in a field -- all of which
was a painting itself --
and I felt I'd been invited
into the actual, someplace
between the real and the real.
The trees, now, are trees
I'm seeing myself seeing.
I'll always deny that I kissed her.
I was just whispering into her mouth.
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Editor 1 Interpretation
Slant: A Masterpiece of Poetic Skill and Artistry
Stephen Dunn’s poem “Slant” is a masterpiece of poetic skill and artistry that captures the essence of human experience with striking depth and insight. With its rich symbolism, vivid imagery, and impeccable language, “Slant” is a work of remarkable beauty and power that explores the complex themes of love, loss, and identity with rare sensitivity and emotional resonance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem to uncover its many layers of meaning and significance, and celebrate the genius of Stephen Dunn as a master of the poetic form.
Overview and Analysis
“Slant” is a poem of thirteen lines, written in free verse with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. The title itself is a significant clue to the poem’s meaning, as “slant” can connote several different things, including “tilted,” “oblique,” or “skewed.” In this poem, the word “slant” is used as a metaphor for the way we see the world and ourselves, and how our perceptions are shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and biases.
The poem opens with a powerful image of a man standing on a hill, looking out at the world from a high vantage point. The man is described as “half in love with easeful death,” which suggests that he is contemplating suicide or a self-destructive impulse. However, the phrase “half in love” also suggests that he is not entirely committed to this idea, and that he is torn between his desire for escape and his fear of the unknown.
The second line of the poem introduces another important symbol, the “bent tree” that is “restored upright” by the man’s gaze. This image is a metaphor for the power of perception to shape reality, as the man’s perspective transforms the twisted and distorted tree into a symbol of resilience and strength. The tree becomes a symbol of hope and renewal, suggesting that even the most damaged and broken things can be restored through the power of vision and imagination.
The next few lines of the poem explore the theme of identity and its close relationship to perception. The speaker notes that the man “imagines” himself as “less bushy-haired” and “less jowly,” suggesting that his self-image is shaped by his own perceptions of himself. His desire to be something other than what he is reveals a deep sense of dissatisfaction and self-doubt, as well as a longing for transcendence and transformation.
The final lines of the poem take a surprising turn, as the speaker reveals that the man is not alone on the hill, but is “with his dog.” This detail is significant because it suggests a deep bond of loyalty and companionship between the man and his animal, and also implies a sense of continuity and connection with the natural world. The dog becomes a symbol of the man’s humanity, as well as a reminder of the fragile and impermanent nature of human existence.
Themes and Significance
One of the central themes of “Slant” is the power of perception to shape reality. The poem suggests that our views of ourselves and the world around us are not fixed or objective, but are instead shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and biases. The man on the hill sees the world in a certain way, and his perceptions transform the landscape into a symbolic representation of his own desires and fears. The tree, which is bent and twisted, becomes a symbol of his own sense of brokenness and pain, but also of his hope for renewal and transformation.
Another important theme of “Slant” is the search for identity and meaning in a world that can seem fragmented and uncertain. The man on the hill is struggling to define himself in relation to his surroundings, and his desire to be something other than what he is reflects a deep sense of dissatisfaction and insecurity. The dog, however, becomes a symbol of continuity and connection with the natural world, suggesting that there is a deeper sense of meaning and purpose to be found in our relationships with others and with the larger universe.
Finally, “Slant” is a poem that explores the complex emotions of love, loss, and mortality with rare sensitivity and emotional resonance. The man’s contemplation of death is a reminder of the fragility of human existence, and his bond with his dog is a testament to the enduring power of love and companionship even in the face of loss and change.
Conclusion
In summary, Stephen Dunn’s poem “Slant” is a work of remarkable beauty and power that captures the essence of human experience with striking depth and insight. Through its rich symbolism, vivid imagery, and impeccable language, the poem explores the complex themes of perception, identity, love, and mortality with rare sensitivity and emotional resonance. “Slant” is a masterpiece of poetic skill and artistry that deserves to be celebrated and studied for its many layers of meaning and significance, and for the genius of its creator, Stephen Dunn.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Slant by Stephen Dunn: A Masterpiece of Poetic Ambiguity
Stephen Dunn's poem "Slant" is a masterpiece of poetic ambiguity. At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple meditation on the nature of truth and perception. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is much more complex than it first appears. In this analysis, we will explore the many layers of meaning in "Slant" and examine how Dunn uses language and imagery to create a rich and nuanced work of art.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "A truth slanting." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately introduces the idea of truth as something that is not straightforward or easily defined. The word "slanting" suggests a kind of obliqueness or indirectness, as if truth is something that can only be approached from an angle. This idea is reinforced in the next line, which describes truth as "something brushed against, / a hand or a face."
Here, Dunn uses tactile imagery to convey the idea that truth is something that can be felt but not necessarily seen. The use of the word "brushed" suggests a fleeting, almost accidental encounter with truth, as if it is something that can easily slip away if not grasped firmly. The reference to a hand or a face also suggests a kind of intimacy or closeness, as if truth is something that can only be experienced in a personal, physical way.
The next few lines of the poem continue to explore the idea of truth as something that is elusive and difficult to pin down. Dunn writes, "Something almost / being said, the words / not quite finding / the form required for them / to be said." Here, he uses language that is deliberately vague and imprecise, as if to suggest that truth is something that can only be hinted at or suggested, rather than stated outright. The phrase "not quite finding / the form required for them / to be said" suggests a kind of frustration or incompleteness, as if the speaker is struggling to articulate something that is just beyond their grasp.
As the poem continues, Dunn introduces a series of images that further complicate our understanding of truth. He writes, "And then something / sudden, a rush of feeling, / and then – gone." Here, he suggests that truth is something that can be experienced in a sudden, intense burst of emotion, but that it is also something that can disappear just as quickly. The use of the word "gone" suggests a kind of transience or impermanence, as if truth is something that can never be fully captured or held onto.
The final lines of the poem bring all of these ideas together in a powerful and evocative way. Dunn writes, "And the whole thing there / glimpsed, something more / than the words / we have to express it, / something waiting / beneath them, / the way a face waits / beneath a mask." Here, he suggests that truth is something that is always present, but that it is hidden beneath the surface of our words and our perceptions. The reference to a face waiting beneath a mask suggests that truth is something that is always there, but that it can only be revealed through careful observation and interpretation.
Overall, "Slant" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the complex and elusive nature of truth. Through his use of language and imagery, Dunn creates a rich and nuanced portrait of truth as something that is always just out of reach, but that can be glimpsed in moments of intense emotion and insight. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of truth or simply as a beautiful piece of poetry, "Slant" is a work that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.
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