'Poem Written At Morning' by Wallace Stevens

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A sunny day's complete Poussiniana
Divide it from itself. It is this or that
And it is not.
By metaphor you paint
A thing. Thus, the pineapple was a leather fruit,
A fruit for pewter, thorned and palmed and blue,
To be served by men of ice.
The senses paint
By metaphor. The juice was fragranter
Than wettest cinnamon. It was cribled pears
Dripping a morning sap.
The truth must be
That you do not see, you experience, you feel,
That the buxom eye brings merely its element
To the total thing, a shapeless giant forced
Upward.
Green were the curls upon that head.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Literary Criticism of "Poem Written At Morning" by Wallace Stevens

Are you ready to dive into the world of Wallace Stevens? If so, "Poem Written At Morning" is the perfect place to start. With its vivid imagery, philosophical themes, and musical language, this poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's central themes and symbols, its use of language and form, and its place in the larger context of modernist poetry.

Background and Context

First, a little background on the poet himself. Wallace Stevens was an American poet who lived from 1879-1955. He is known for his dense, abstract poetry that often deals with philosophical and metaphysical themes. "Poem Written At Morning" was published in 1915, early in Stevens' career, and it is one of his most famous poems.

At the time that Stevens was writing, modernism was taking over the literary world. This movement, which began in the late 19th century and continued into the early 20th century, was characterized by a rejection of traditional values and forms in favor of experimentation and innovation. Modernist writers often used fragmented language, nonlinear narratives, and stream-of-consciousness techniques to challenge the conventions of literature.

Themes and Symbols

"Poem Written At Morning" is a perfect example of modernist poetry. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, and the language is highly metaphorical and abstract. At its core, the poem is about the tension between the natural world and the human world, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often chaotic and confusing.

One of the key symbols in the poem is the "blackbird," which appears throughout the poem. The blackbird is both a real, physical bird and a metaphorical symbol for the unknown and the unknowable. The speaker of the poem is trying to understand the blackbird, to capture its essence and make it his own, but he is constantly thwarted by its elusiveness.

Another symbol in the poem is the "trees," which represent the natural world and the beauty and mystery that can be found there. The trees are described as "blackened, stiff with ice" and "austere," but also "beautiful." They are a reminder of the power and majesty of nature, and the mystery that surrounds us at all times.

Language and Form

One of the most striking things about "Poem Written At Morning" is its use of language. Stevens' poetry is known for its musical quality, and this poem is no exception. The language is highly figurative, with metaphors and similes used to describe everything from the blackbird to the trees to the speaker himself.

The form of the poem is also notable. As mentioned earlier, it is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This allows Stevens to experiment with the language and the structure of the poem, to create a sense of fluidity and movement that mirrors the natural world.

Interpreting the Poem

So, what does all of this mean? How do we interpret "Poem Written At Morning"? The answer to that question is, of course, open to interpretation. But here are a few possible readings of the poem:

• The poem is about the difficulty of finding meaning in a chaotic and confusing world. The blackbird represents the unknown and the unknowable, and the speaker is trying to understand it in order to find some sense of purpose or direction.
• The poem is about the tension between the natural world and the human world. The trees represent the beauty and power of nature, while the speaker represents the human desire to control and understand that power. The blackbird is the bridge between the two worlds, both part of nature and yet separate from it.
• The poem is a meditation on the nature of poetry itself. The speaker is trying to capture the essence of the blackbird, to turn it into something he can use in his poetry. But in doing so, he is also acknowledging the limits of language and the difficulty of truly capturing the essence of anything.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poem Written At Morning" is a beautiful and complex poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. Its themes of nature, human consciousness, and the power of language are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. It is a testament to the power of modernist poetry and its ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Wallace Stevens and see where "Poem Written At Morning" takes you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us see things in a new light, and to evoke emotions we never knew existed. Wallace Stevens' Poem Written At Morning is a perfect example of this. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker waking up early in the morning and looking out of the window. The first line, "I woke up this morning and the world was gone," is a powerful statement that immediately captures the reader's attention. The speaker is not saying that the world has disappeared, but rather that it has transformed into something new. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors.

The first stanza of the poem describes the world outside the window. The speaker sees "a great silence" and "a great calm." The use of the word "great" emphasizes the magnitude of the silence and calmness. The speaker also sees "the red flowers on the wall" and "the leaves on the trees." These images are important because they represent the beauty of nature. The red flowers and leaves are symbols of life and growth, which are contrasted with the silence and calmness of the world.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of reality. The line "The world is different from what we think" suggests that our perception of reality is limited. The speaker goes on to say that "we see only what we are taught to see." This line is a commentary on the limitations of human knowledge and the importance of expanding our understanding of the world. The speaker also says that "the imagination is not a state," which suggests that the imagination is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and dynamic force that can change our perception of reality.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "The world is inconstant and mutable." This line is a reminder that everything in life is constantly changing. The speaker goes on to say that "we are not poets enough to say how sad the world is at night." This line is a commentary on the limitations of language and the inability of words to fully capture the complexity of human emotions. The speaker also says that "the morning light is all about us," which suggests that there is always hope and beauty in the world, even in the darkest of times.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of the imagination. The speaker says, "We have great power, we invent the world anew." This line is a reminder that we have the power to shape our own reality through our thoughts and actions. The speaker also says that "the mind has mountains, cliffs of fall," which suggests that the imagination is a vast and complex landscape that can be both beautiful and dangerous. The final line of the poem, "Reality is the beginning not the end," is a powerful statement that suggests that there is always more to discover and explore in the world.

The imagery used in this poem is particularly striking. The use of color, such as the "red flowers on the wall," adds depth and richness to the poem. The use of nature imagery, such as the leaves on the trees, is a reminder of the beauty and power of the natural world. The use of metaphors, such as "the mind has mountains," is a powerful way of conveying complex ideas in a simple and accessible way.

The language used in this poem is also noteworthy. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "great," emphasizes the magnitude of the ideas being conveyed. The use of alliteration, such as "cliffs of fall," adds a musical quality to the poem. The use of rhetorical questions, such as "What is there to say except that there is light?" is a powerful way of engaging the reader and inviting them to reflect on the ideas being presented.

In conclusion, Poem Written At Morning is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature in a way that is both accessible and profound. The themes of the poem, such as the limitations of human knowledge and the power of the imagination, are timeless and universal. The imagery and language used in the poem are striking and memorable. This poem is a reminder of the power of poetry to transport us to different worlds and to evoke emotions we never knew existed.

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