'Canto 49' by Ezra Pound
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For the seven lakes, and by no man these verses:
Rain; empty river; a voyage,
Fire from frozen cloud, heavy rain in the twilight
Under the cabin roof was one lantern.
The reeds are heavy; bent;
and the bamboos speak as if weeping.
Autumn moon; hills rise about lakes
against sunset
Evening is like a curtain of cloud,
a blurr above ripples; and through it
sharp long spikes of the cinnamon,
a cold tune amid reeds.
Behind hill the monk's bell
borne on the wind.
Sail passed here in April; may return in October
Boat fades in silver; slowly;
Sun blaze alone on the river.
Where wine flag catches the sunset
Sparse chimneys smoke in the cross light
Comes then snow scur on the river
And a world is covered with jade
Small boat floats like a lanthorn,
The flowing water closts as with cold. And at San Yin
they are a people of leisure.
Wild geese swoop to the sand-bar,
Clouds gather about the hole of the window
Broad water; geese line out with the autumn
Rooks clatter over the fishermen's lanthorns,
A light moves on the north sky line;
where the young boys prod stones for shrimp.
In seventeen hundred came Tsing to these hill lakes.
A light moves on the South sky line.
State by creating riches shd. thereby get into debt?
Thsi is infamy; this is Geryon.
This canal goes still to TenShi
Though the old king built it for pleasure
K E I M E N R A N K E I
K I U M A N M A N K E I
JITSU GETSU K O K W A
T A N FUKU T A N K A I
Sun up; work
sundown; to rest
dig well and drink of the water
dig field; eat of the grain
Imperial power is? and to us what is it?
The fourth; the dimension of stillness.
And the power over wild beasts.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Ezra Pound's Canto 49
As a reader, one of the most exhilarating experiences can be delving deeply into a poem that is layered with meaning and beauty. Ezra Pound's Canto 49 is such a poem. Its complexity and richness can leave even the most seasoned reader breathless. In this literary criticism and interpretation of Canto 49, we will explore the depths of Pound's masterpiece and uncover the hidden gems that lie within.
Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Pound began writing the Cantos in 1915 while he was living in London. The first section of Canto 49 was published in 1934 in The New Review, and the complete poem was published in 1940 as part of The Cantos of Ezra Pound.
Canto 49 was written during a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe. Pound was deeply influenced by the fascist movement and admired Mussolini, which would later cause controversy and lead to his arrest for treason. This political climate is reflected in the poem, which explores themes of power, corruption, and the destruction of civilization.
Structure
Canto 49 is divided into four sections, each with its own distinct theme and imagery. The first section is a description of a ruined city. Pound uses vivid and haunting language to create a sense of decay and destruction. The second section describes the rise of a new civilization, which is characterized by power and hierarchy. The third section is a critique of this new civilization and its corrupt leaders. The final section is a call to action, urging the reader to resist the forces of tyranny and corruption.
The structure of the poem reflects the cyclical nature of history. Pound suggests that civilization is destined to rise and fall, and that the struggle for power and control is a constant in human history. This cyclical structure is reinforced by the repetition of certain images and phrases throughout the poem.
Themes
One of the major themes of Canto 49 is the destructive power of war. Pound was deeply affected by his experiences in World War I, and this trauma is reflected in the poem. The image of the ruined city in the first section is a powerful reminder of the devastation that war can cause. Pound's use of vivid and haunting language creates a sense of despair and hopelessness.
Another major theme of the poem is the corrupting influence of power. The new civilization described in the second section is characterized by hierarchy and domination. Pound suggests that the desire for power leads to corruption and the destruction of society. The third section is a critique of this new civilization and its leaders, who are depicted as greedy and self-serving.
Finally, the poem is a call to action. Pound urges the reader to resist the forces of tyranny and corruption and to work towards creating a better society. This call to action is reflected in the final section of the poem, which is filled with images of struggle and resistance.
Imagery and Language
Pound's use of vivid and haunting language is one of the most striking features of Canto 49. His descriptions of the ruined city in the first section are particularly powerful. Pound uses a series of vivid images to create a sense of decay and destruction:
"The rusted iron lies deep in the meadow,
The burnished steel lurks in the shed,
And over all the roof of the lavender
Leans to the blasted heaven.
And all the walls are peeling,
And the rain-wind sweeps through the doors."
These lines are filled with strong visual imagery that creates a vivid picture of a ruined city.
Pound's use of language is equally powerful in the second section of the poem, where he describes the rise of a new civilization. The language here is more forceful and aggressive, reflecting the power and dominance of the new rulers:
"And there the rulers
Gouged their margin,
Tightened the screws
On the works and the workers."
The use of anaphora in these lines creates a sense of repetition and builds the intensity of the language.
Literary Techniques
Pound uses a number of literary techniques in Canto 49 to create a sense of depth and complexity. One of the most striking is his use of allusion. Pound draws on a wide range of historical and literary sources, including Dante, Confucius, and the Bible. These allusions add layers of meaning to the poem and create a sense of historical continuity.
Another important literary technique is Pound's use of repetition. Certain phrases and images are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of cyclical history. For example, the image of the "rusted iron" appears in the first section of the poem and is echoed in the second section:
"The iron in the blood
That takes the flame—
All molten—
All cast, all wrought, all hammered."
This repetition reinforces the idea that history is cyclical and that the struggle for power and control is constant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ezra Pound's Canto 49 is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of war, power, corruption, and resistance. Pound's use of vivid and haunting language, allusion, and repetition create a sense of depth and complexity that rewards close reading and analysis. The structure of the poem reflects the cyclical nature of history, and the call to action in the final section suggests that the struggle for a better society is ongoing. Canto 49 is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's Canto 49 is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is part of Pound's larger work, The Cantos, which he began writing in 1915 and continued to work on until his death in 1972. The Cantos is a sprawling epic that spans centuries and continents, blending history, mythology, and personal experience into a complex and often challenging narrative. Canto 49 is a particularly dense and enigmatic section of the poem, full of allusions and references that require careful analysis to fully appreciate.
At its core, Canto 49 is a meditation on the nature of power and its corrupting influence on those who wield it. The poem begins with a description of a "great stone face" that represents the power of the state. This face is "carved with cunning" and "set above the gate" of a city, suggesting that it is a symbol of authority and control. Pound then introduces the figure of "the old man," who is described as "wise and good." This old man is a counterpoint to the stone face, representing the ideal of moral leadership that is often lacking in those who hold power.
As the poem progresses, Pound introduces a series of historical and mythological figures who have been corrupted by power. These include the Roman emperor Nero, who "fiddled while Rome burned," and the Greek king Agamemnon, who sacrificed his own daughter to the gods in order to win a war. Pound also references the biblical story of King David, who committed adultery and murder in order to satisfy his own desires. These figures serve as cautionary tales, warning of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
One of the most striking aspects of Canto 49 is its use of language and imagery. Pound was a master of the modernist style, which emphasized fragmentation, allusion, and experimentation with form. In this poem, he employs a variety of techniques to create a sense of disorientation and complexity. For example, he uses a series of short, fragmented lines that are often difficult to parse. He also incorporates a wide range of references, from classical mythology to contemporary politics, that require a deep knowledge of history and culture to fully understand.
Despite its challenging nature, Canto 49 is a deeply rewarding poem for those who are willing to engage with it. Pound's exploration of power and corruption is as relevant today as it was when he wrote the poem in the 1930s. The poem speaks to the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of moral leadership in times of crisis. It also serves as a reminder of the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.
In conclusion, Canto 49 is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that continues to captivate readers today. Pound's exploration of power and corruption is as relevant now as it was when he wrote the poem in the 1930s. The poem's use of language and imagery is challenging but deeply rewarding for those who are willing to engage with it. Ultimately, Canto 49 is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience and to speak to the most pressing issues of our time.
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