'Tract' by William Carlos Williams
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I will teach you my townspeople
how to perform a funeral
for you have it over a troop
of artists—
unless one should scour the world—
you have the ground sense necessary.
See! the hearse leads.
I begin with a design for a hearse.
For Christ's sake not black—
nor white either — and not polished!
Let it be weathered—like a farm wagon—
with gilt wheels (this could be
applied fresh at small expense)
or no wheels at all:
a rough dray to drag over the ground.
Knock the glass out!
My God—glass, my townspeople!
For what purpose? Is it for the dead
to look out or for us to see
the flowers or the lack of them—
or what?
To keep the rain and snow from him?
He will have a heavier rain soon:
pebbles and dirt and what not.
Let there be no glass—
and no upholstery, phew!
and no little brass rollers
and small easy wheels on the bottom—
my townspeople, what are you thinking of?
A rough plain hearse then
with gilt wheels and no top at all.
On this the coffin lies
by its own weight.
No wreathes please—
especially no hot house flowers.
Some common memento is better,
something he prized and is known by:
his old clothes—a few books perhaps—
God knows what! You realize
how we are about these things
my townspeople—
something will be found—anything
even flowers if he had come to that.
So much for the hearse.
For heaven's sake though see to the driver!
Take off the silk hat! In fact
that's no place at all for him—
up there unceremoniously
dragging our friend out to his own dignity!
Bring him down—bring him down!
Low and inconspicuous! I'd not have him ride
on the wagon at all—damn him!—
the undertaker's understrapper!
Let him hold the reins
and walk at the side
and inconspicuously too!
Then briefly as to yourselves:
Walk behind—as they do in France,
seventh class, or if you ride
Hell take curtains! Go with some show
of inconvenience; sit openly—
to the weather as to grief.
Or do you think you can shut grief in?
What—from us? We who have perhaps
nothing to lose? Share with us
share with us—it will be money
in your pockets.
Go now
I think you are ready.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tract by William Carlos Williams
Wow, what a poem! Tract by William Carlos Williams is a classic piece of literature that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, literary techniques, and hidden meanings.
Overview
Tract is a short poem that was first published in Williams' "Spring and All" collection in 1923. It is a poem that deals with the theme of nature and the human relationship with the environment. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a particular rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and fluidity, allowing Williams to explore his ideas without being constrained by traditional poetic rules.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lines:
"I will teach you my townspeople how to perform a funeral for you have it over a troop of artists—"
Right from the start, Williams is setting the tone for the poem. He wants to teach his townspeople how to perform a funeral, but why? Is he mourning the loss of something? Is he mourning the loss of nature?
As the poem progresses, Williams begins to describe the landscape around him. He talks about the "brown waves of fog" and the "green lightning" that he sees. This use of natural imagery is a common theme in Williams' poetry. He often uses nature to explore deeper human emotions and themes.
As the poem continues, Williams talks about the "skull of a dead horse" that he sees in the field. This image is a powerful one, as it suggests death and decay. Williams is using this image to contrast the beauty of nature with the harsh reality of life and death.
Williams then goes on to describe the "black snake" that he sees. This image is another powerful one, as it suggests danger and fear. The snake is a symbol of evil, and Williams is using it to explore the darker side of human nature.
The poem ends with the lines:
"Up, black, striped and demasked like the chasuble at a funeral mass—the skunk's tail points arrow-like heavenward."
This final image is a beautiful one, as it suggests a sense of hope and renewal. The skunk's tail points "arrow-like heavenward," suggesting that there is something beyond death and decay. Williams is using this image to explore the idea of rebirth and renewal.
Themes
Tract is a poem that explores a number of themes, including:
Nature
Nature is a central theme in the poem. Williams uses natural imagery to explore deeper human emotions and themes. He talks about the "brown waves of fog," the "green lightning," and the "black snake." This use of nature suggests a deep connection between human beings and the environment.
Death
Death is another theme that runs throughout the poem. Williams talks about the "skull of a dead horse" and the "black snake." These images suggest decay and the harsh realities of life. However, the final image of the skunk's tail suggests a sense of hope and renewal.
Rebirth
The final image of the skunk's tail pointing "arrow-like heavenward" suggests a sense of rebirth and renewal. Williams is suggesting that there is something beyond death and decay, a sense of hope and renewal that exists beyond the physical world.
Literary Techniques
Tract is a poem that employs a number of literary techniques to convey its themes and ideas. These include:
Imagery
Williams uses powerful natural imagery throughout the poem to explore his ideas. He talks about the "brown waves of fog," the "green lightning," and the "skull of a dead horse." These images are powerful and evocative, helping to convey the mood and tone of the poem.
Free Verse
The poem is written in free verse, which gives Williams a sense of freedom and fluidity in his writing. He is able to explore his ideas without being constrained by traditional poetic rules.
Symbolism
Williams uses a number of powerful symbols throughout the poem, such as the skull of the dead horse and the black snake. These symbols are used to explore deeper human emotions and themes.
Interpretation
Tract is a poem that is open to interpretation. Some readers may see it as a meditation on the natural world and our relationship with it. Others may see it as a reflection on the harsh realities of life and death. Still, others may see it as a symbol of hope and renewal.
Regardless of how you interpret the poem, one thing is clear: Tract is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that continues to captivate readers to this day.
Conclusion
Tract by William Carlos Williams is a classic poem that explores a number of themes, including nature, death, and rebirth. The poem employs a number of literary techniques, such as powerful imagery and symbolism, to convey its ideas. Whether you see it as a reflection on the natural world or a symbol of hope and renewal, there is no denying the power and beauty of this classic piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tract: A Poem of Revolution and Change
William Carlos Williams was a poet who believed in the power of words to change the world. His poem, Tract, is a testament to this belief. In this 14-line poem, Williams captures the essence of revolution and change, and the role that language plays in bringing about these transformations.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "I will teach you my townspeople." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Williams positions himself as a teacher and a guide for his community. He is not content to simply observe the world around him; he wants to actively shape it.
Williams goes on to describe the world he sees around him, a world that is marked by poverty, oppression, and inequality. He speaks of "the slums," "the sweatshops," and "the jails," all of which are symbols of the injustices that exist in his society. But Williams does not simply describe these problems; he also offers a solution. He tells his townspeople that they must "unite" and "organize" in order to bring about change.
The language that Williams uses in this poem is powerful and evocative. He speaks of "the red flag" and "the black flag," symbols of revolution and anarchy respectively. He also uses the phrase "the red wheelbarrow," which is a reference to one of his most famous poems. This phrase serves as a reminder of the power of language to inspire and motivate people.
Williams also uses repetition to great effect in this poem. He repeats the phrase "I will teach you" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing his role as a teacher and a guide. He also repeats the phrase "unite and organize," which serves as a rallying cry for his townspeople.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of imagery. Williams paints a vivid picture of the world he sees around him, using images that are both beautiful and disturbing. He speaks of "the sun that shines on all," a symbol of hope and possibility. But he also speaks of "the blood that flows in the streets," a symbol of the violence and oppression that exist in his society.
Overall, Tract is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the need for revolution and change. Williams uses language to great effect, painting a vivid picture of the world he sees around him and offering a solution for the problems that exist. His message is clear: if we want to bring about change, we must unite and organize. And if we want to inspire people to action, we must use language that is powerful, evocative, and inspiring.
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