'Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer' by Jack Gilbert
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I'd walk her home after work
buying roses and talking of Bechsteins.
She was full of soul.
Her small room was gorged with heat
and there were no windows.
She'd take off everything
but her pants
and take the pins from her hair
throwing them on the floor
with a great noise.
Like Crete.
We wouldn't make love.
She'd get on the bed
with those nipples
and we'd lie
sweating
and talking of my best friend.
They were in love.
When I got quiet
she'd put on usually Debussy
and
leaning down to the small ribs
bite me.
Hard.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer by Jack Gilbert
Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer is a classic poem written by Jack Gilbert. It is a beautiful and vivid depiction of the harsh reality of a summer in New York City. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and explore the themes and literary devices used by the poet to convey his message.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer is an elegantly written poem that presents the harsh reality of living in New York City during the summer. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message. The first stanza portrays the city as being oppressive and overwhelming. The second stanza presents the idea of hope and the possibility of relief from the heat. In the third and final stanza, the poet describes the beauty of nature and the peace that it brings to the soul.
Analysis of the Poem
Theme
The overarching theme of the poem is the struggle between man and nature. The city is presented as a man-made construct that is oppressive and overwhelming. The poet uses imagery and metaphors to convey the idea of the city as a monster that is consuming its inhabitants. The heat and humidity are described as suffocating, and the people are presented as being stuck in a never-ending cycle of work and sleep.
However, the theme of struggle is not limited to the relationship between man and nature. The poem also explores the inner struggle of the individual. The second stanza presents the idea of hope and the possibility of relief from the heat. The poet urges the reader to find a way to escape the oppressive nature of the city and to find solace in the beauty of nature.
Literary Devices
The poet uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices used is imagery. The descriptions of the city, the heat, and the people are vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the suffocating heat and the oppressive weight of the city.
Metaphors are also used to great effect. The city is described as a monster that is consuming its inhabitants. The heat is a suffocating blanket that smothers the life out of everything. The use of metaphors helps to convey the intensity of the struggle between man and nature.
The use of repetition is another effective device used by the poet. The repetition of the phrase "Against a New York summer" in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes the struggle and the determination of the individual to overcome the challenges presented by the city and the season.
Structure
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message. The first stanza presents the oppressive nature of the city and the struggle of the individual to survive. The second stanza presents the possibility of relief and the hope that the individual can find a way to escape the suffocating heat. The third and final stanza presents the beauty of nature and the peace that it can bring to the soul.
The structure of the poem mirrors the struggle between man and nature. The first stanza presents the overwhelming power of nature, and the second presents the potential for the individual to overcome it. The final stanza presents the beauty and peace that can be found in nature.
Language
The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The descriptions of the city and the heat are vivid and intense. The use of metaphors and repetition helps to convey the intensity of the struggle.
The language used in the final stanza is particularly beautiful. The descriptions of the stars and the moon are poetic and evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. The final line, "The world becomes whole again," is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of finding peace and balance in nature.
Conclusion
Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the struggle between man and nature. The vivid descriptions, powerful metaphors, and repetition help to convey the intensity of the struggle. The structure of the poem mirrors the struggle, with the first stanza presenting the overwhelming power of nature, the second presenting the potential for the individual to overcome it, and the third presenting the beauty and peace that can be found in nature.
The poem is a reminder of the importance of finding balance and peace in our lives. It is a call to action, urging us to escape the suffocating heat and find solace in the beauty of nature. In a world that is becoming increasingly chaotic and overwhelming, the message of the poem is more relevant than ever.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer by Jack Gilbert is a classic poem that captures the essence of a New York summer. This poem is a beautiful and vivid description of the city during the summer months, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and the city of New York.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the city as a "hot, steamy, and dirty place." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to describe the city in more detail. The speaker talks about the "sweat and grime" that covers the city during the summer months, and how the heat seems to make everything worse.
Despite the heat and the dirt, the speaker still finds beauty in the city. He talks about the "lightning bugs" that come out at night, and how they "dance in the air like tiny fireworks." He also talks about the "sirens and horns" that can be heard throughout the city, and how they create a kind of music that is unique to New York.
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that the speaker describes the people of New York. He talks about the "tough, hard-working people" who live in the city, and how they are able to survive and thrive despite the difficult conditions. He also talks about the "young lovers" who can be seen throughout the city, and how they seem to be able to find beauty and joy in the midst of all the chaos.
The speaker also talks about the different neighborhoods of New York, and how each one has its own unique character. He talks about the "Italian neighborhoods" where the smell of garlic and tomato sauce fills the air, and the "Jewish neighborhoods" where the sound of Yiddish can be heard on the streets. He also talks about the "black neighborhoods" where the music of jazz and blues can be heard, and the "Puerto Rican neighborhoods" where the sound of salsa and merengue fills the air.
One of the most powerful parts of this poem is the way that the speaker describes the city as a kind of living organism. He talks about how the city "breathes" and "sweats" like a living thing, and how it seems to have a life and energy of its own. He also talks about how the city seems to be constantly changing and evolving, and how it is always full of surprises and unexpected moments.
Overall, Portrait Number Five: Against A New York Summer is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the city of New York during the summer months. It is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, and for anyone who has ever experienced the unique energy and character of this amazing city.
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