'Peter' by Marianne Moore
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Strong and slippery,
built for the midnight grass-party
confronted by four cats, he sleeps his time away--
the detached first claw on the foreleg corresponding
to the thumb, retracted to its tip; the small tuft of fronds
or katydid-legs above each eye numbering all units
in each group; the shadbones regularly set about the mouth
to droop or rise in unison like porcupine-quills.
He lets himself be flattened out by gravity,
as seaweed is tamed and weakened by the sun,
compelled when extended, to lie stationary.
Sleep is the result of his delusion that one must do as well
as one can for oneself,
sleep--epitome of what is to him the end of life.
Demonstrate on him how the lady placed a forked stick
on the innocuous neck-sides of the dangerous southern snake.
One need not try to stir him up; his prune-shaped head
and alligator-eyes are not party to the joke.
Lifted and handled, he may be dangled like an eel
or set up on the forearm like a mouse;
his eyes bisected by pupils of a pin's width,
are flickeringly exhibited, then covered up.
May be? I should have said might have been;
when he has been got the better of in a dream--
as in a fight with nature or with cats, we all know it.
Profound sleep is not with him a fixed illusion.
Springing about with froglike accuracy, with jerky cries
when taken in hand, he is himself again;
to sit caged by the rungs of a domestic chair
would be unprofitable--human. What is the good of hypocrisy?
it is permissible to choose one's employment,
to abandon the nail, or roly-poly,
when it shows signs of being no longer a pleasure,
to score the nearby magazine with a double line of strokes.
He can talk but insolently says nothing. What of it?
When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.
It is clear that he can see the virtue of naturalness,
that he does not regard the published fact as a surrender.
As for the disposition invariably to affront,
an animal with claws should have an opportunity to use them.
The eel-like extension of trunk into tail is not an accident.
To leap, to lengthen out, divide the air, to purloin, to pursue.
To tell the hen: fly over the fence, go in the wrong way
in your perturbation--this is life;
to do less would be nothing but dishonesty.
Submitted by zenfishsticks
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Peter" by Marianne Moore: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Are you a fan of poetry that is both descriptive and thought-provoking? Do you enjoy reading works that contain mysteries and hidden meanings? Then you should definitely read "Peter," a classic poem by Marianne Moore. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem and explore its themes, symbols, and literary devices.
Overview of "Peter"
"Peter" is a poem written by the American poet Marianne Moore in 1919. It is a short poem consisting of only 12 lines, written in free verse. At first glance, the poem appears to be a description of a creature or an object, but as we read on, we realize that it is a reflection on the nature of beauty, art, and perception.
The Theme of Beauty in "Peter"
One of the main themes of "Peter" is the idea of beauty. The poem describes a creature or an object that is "nothing like" a "tree frog," a "banana," or a "fan." By contrasting this unknown entity with these familiar objects, Moore highlights the uniqueness and the specialness of this creature.
But what is this creature? Is it a person, an animal, or an object? Moore deliberately leaves this ambiguous, forcing the reader to use their imagination and interpretation. This ambiguity is what makes the poem so captivating and intriguing.
Moore also plays with the idea of perception in "Peter." She writes, "the eye is not a miner," suggesting that the eye is not merely a tool for observing and extracting information. Instead, the eye has the power to transform reality and create beauty. It is the eye that sees the beauty in the unknown and the unfamiliar, and it is the eye that creates art out of the mundane.
The Symbolism of "Peter"
"Peter" is full of symbols and metaphors. The unknown creature can be interpreted as a symbol for creativity, originality, and individuality. It is something that is unique and cannot be compared to anything else. The fact that it is unnamed adds to its mystery and significance.
The tree frog, banana, and fan, on the other hand, can be seen as symbols for the mundane, the ordinary, and the predictable. They are all familiar objects that we encounter in our daily lives, but they do not inspire us or move us in any significant way.
The line "the eye is not a miner" can be seen as a metaphor for the act of observation and interpretation. The eye is not merely a tool for extracting information, it is a tool for creating meaning and beauty. It is the eye that mines the unknown and the unfamiliar, and turns it into something meaningful and significant.
The Literary Devices in "Peter"
Moore employs several literary devices in "Peter" to create a sense of mystery and intrigue.
First, she uses imagery to describe the unknown creature. The lines "it is of / wood, of a "tear / that has the property of a / blade, it is / Petrified with / tears" create a vivid picture in the reader's mind of something that is both beautiful and poignant.
Second, Moore uses enjambment to create a sense of continuity and flow in the poem. The lines "he is not cruel, he / recoils from hurting / even a fly" flow seamlessly into each other, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.
Finally, Moore uses repetition to emphasize the importance of certain words and phrases. The repetition of the word "nothing" in the first line highlights the uniqueness and incomparability of the unknown creature. The repetition of the word "tears" throughout the poem emphasizes the emotion and the beauty of the creature.
Conclusion
"Peter" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the theme of beauty, symbols, and literary devices. It is a poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, inviting them to use their imagination and interpretation. Moore's use of ambiguity and symbolism creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, while her mastery of literary devices creates a sense of movement and rhythm in the poem. "Peter" is a classic poem that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Peter: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Marianne Moore's poem "Peter" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle for identity. The poem is a perfect example of Moore's unique style, which is characterized by her use of precise language, vivid imagery, and unconventional syntax. In this analysis, we will examine the themes, structure, and literary devices used in "Peter" to understand the poem's significance and impact on modernist poetry.
Themes
The central theme of "Peter" is the search for identity and the struggle to define oneself in a world that is constantly changing. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, and the difficulties that we face as we try to understand ourselves and our place in the world. Moore's use of the name "Peter" is significant because it represents the universal struggle for identity. Peter is not just a name, but a symbol of the human experience.
The poem also explores the theme of nature and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Moore uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world, and she contrasts this with the artificiality of human society. The poem suggests that humans have lost touch with nature, and that this has led to a sense of disconnection and alienation.
Structure
"Peter" is a free-verse poem that is divided into four stanzas. The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter, but it is structured around the repetition of certain phrases and images. The first stanza introduces the theme of identity and establishes the central metaphor of the poem, which is the comparison of Peter to a tree. The second stanza explores the theme of nature and contrasts the beauty of the natural world with the ugliness of human society. The third stanza returns to the theme of identity and suggests that Peter is struggling to find his place in the world. The final stanza concludes the poem with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the reader to interpret the meaning of the poem for themselves.
Literary Devices
Moore's use of literary devices is one of the most striking aspects of "Peter." She employs a range of techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. One of the most notable devices is her use of precise language. Moore's language is highly specific and often technical, which gives the poem a sense of precision and accuracy. This precision is particularly evident in her use of botanical terms to describe Peter and the natural world.
Moore also uses vivid imagery to create a sense of visual and sensory richness in the poem. Her descriptions of the natural world are particularly striking, and she uses these images to contrast with the artificiality of human society. For example, she describes the "greenness" of the tree and the "blue" of the sky, which creates a sense of natural beauty and purity.
Another important device that Moore uses is her unconventional syntax. She often breaks up sentences and phrases in unexpected ways, which creates a sense of fragmentation and dislocation. This fragmentation reflects the theme of identity and suggests that Peter is struggling to find his place in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Peter" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle for identity. Moore's use of precise language, vivid imagery, and unconventional syntax creates a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. The themes of identity and nature are central to the poem, and Moore uses these themes to explore the human condition and the difficulties that we face as we try to understand ourselves and our place in the world. "Peter" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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