'The Poet' by Delmore Schwartz

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The riches of the poet are equal to his poetry
His power is his left hand
It is idle weak and precious
His poverty is his wealth, a wealth which may destroy him
like Midas Because it is that laziness which is a form of impatience
And this he may be destroyed by the gold of the light
which never was
On land or sea.
He may be drunken to death, draining the casks of excess
That extreme form of success.
He may suffer Narcissus' destiny
Unable to live except with the image which is infatuation
Love, blind, adoring, overflowing
Unable to respond to anything which does not bring love
quickly or immediately.

...The poet must be innocent and ignorant
But he cannot be innocent since stupidity is not his strong
point
Therefore Cocteau said, "What would I not give
To have the poems of my youth withdrawn from
existence?
I would give to Satan my immortal soul."
This metaphor is wrong, for it is his immortal soul which
he wished to redeem,
Lifting it and sifting it, free and white, from the actuality of
youth's banality, vulgarity,
pomp and affectation of his early
works of poetry.

So too in the same way a Famous American Poet
When fame at last had come to him sought out the fifty copies
of his first book of poems which had been privately printed
by himself at his own expense.
He succeeded in securing 48 of the 50 copies, burned them
And learned then how the last copies were extant,
As the law of the land required, stashed away in the national capital,
at the Library of Congress.
Therefore he went to Washington, therefore he took out the last two
copies
Placed them in his pocket, planned to depart
Only to be halted and apprehended. Since he was the author,
Since they were his books and his property he was reproached
But forgiven. But the two copies were taken away from him
Thus setting a national precedent.

For neither amnesty nor forgiveness is bestowed upon poets, poetry and poems,
For William James, the lovable genius of Harvard
spoke the terrifying truth: "Your friends may forget, God
may forgive you, But the brain cells record
your acts for the rest of eternity."
What a terrifying thing to say!
This is the endless doom, without remedy, of poetry.
This is also the joy everlasting of poetry.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Poet by Delmore Schwartz: A Masterpiece in Modern Poetry

When it comes to modern poetry, Delmore Schwartz is one of the most celebrated names. His works are known for their rich imagery and profound themes, which continue to inspire readers and writers alike. Among his many works, one poem that stands out is "The Poet," which captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, motifs, and literary devices employed by Schwartz in "The Poet."

The Poet as a Social Outcast

One of the central themes of "The Poet" is the idea of the poet as a social outcast. Throughout the poem, Schwartz portrays the poet as a person who is misunderstood and rejected by society. This is evident in lines such as "The world is cruel to the poet" and "The poet walks alone." These lines suggest that the poet is a lonely figure, who is isolated from the rest of society.

To further emphasize this theme, Schwartz uses various literary devices, such as imagery and symbolism. For instance, the line "His eyes are open in the lonely night" creates an image of the poet wandering alone in the dark. Similarly, the line "The poet is alone in the world" suggests that the poet is an outsider, who does not belong to any group or community. This use of imagery and symbolism helps to convey the theme of the poet as a social outcast.

The Poet's Struggle for Meaning

Another important theme in "The Poet" is the struggle for meaning. Throughout the poem, Schwartz portrays the poet as a person who is searching for something elusive. This is evident in lines such as "The poet seeks a meaning in the words" and "The poet searches for truth." These lines suggest that the poet is on a quest for something that is difficult to find.

To further emphasize this theme, Schwartz uses various literary devices, such as metaphor and personification. For instance, the line "The words are stones in his mouth" creates a metaphorical image of the poet struggling to articulate his ideas. Similarly, the line "The truth is a mirror which breaks into pieces" personifies truth, suggesting that it is something that is difficult to grasp. This use of metaphor and personification helps to convey the theme of the poet's struggle for meaning.

The Role of the Poet in Society

Finally, "The Poet" explores the role of the poet in society. Throughout the poem, Schwartz suggests that the poet has an important role to play in society. This is evident in lines such as "The poet is the voice of the people" and "The poet speaks to the heart of the world." These lines suggest that the poet has the ability to communicate with people on a deep level.

To further emphasize this theme, Schwartz uses various literary devices, such as hyperbole and repetition. For instance, the line "The poet is the unacknowledged legislator of the world" uses hyperbole to suggest that the poet has a significant influence on society. Similarly, the repetition of the line "The poet speaks" helps to emphasize the importance of the poet's role in society. This use of hyperbole and repetition helps to convey the theme of the poet's role in society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Poet" is a masterpiece in modern poetry that explores important themes such as the poet as a social outcast, the struggle for meaning, and the role of the poet in society. Through the use of various literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and repetition, Schwartz is able to convey these themes in a powerful and memorable way. "The Poet" is a testament to Schwartz's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of what it means to be a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poet: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Delmore Schwartz's "The Poet" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. The poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that has inspired generations of poets and readers alike.

The poem begins with the line, "All night long the hockey players / drank heavily." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a surreal and dreamlike image that immediately captures the reader's attention. The juxtaposition of the hockey players and the poet is significant. The hockey players represent the physical world, while the poet represents the world of the imagination. The poet is an outsider, observing the world from a distance.

The second stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous. It begins with the line, "I am the poet of reality." This line is a statement of intent. The poet is declaring that he is not interested in the world of fantasy or imagination. He is interested in the real world, the world of everyday life. The poet is a witness to the world, and his job is to record it in his poetry.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the role of the poet in society. The poet is a prophet, a seer, a visionary. He is the voice of the people, the conscience of the nation. The poet is not just a writer of poetry; he is a leader, a guide, a teacher. He has a responsibility to use his talent for the betterment of society.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. The poet is not just a writer of words; he is a creator of worlds. He has the power to transform reality into something new and beautiful. The poet is a magician, a sorcerer, a wizard. He can make the impossible possible.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the poet's relationship with his audience. The poet is not just writing for himself; he is writing for others. He is writing for the people, for the nation, for the world. The poet's job is to communicate his vision to others, to inspire them, to move them.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the poet's own mortality. The poet knows that he will not live forever, but his poetry will. His words will live on long after he is gone. The poet's legacy is his poetry, and it is up to future generations to carry on his work.

In conclusion, "The Poet" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. It is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. The poem is a call to action, a challenge to all poets to use their talent for the betterment of society. It is a timeless work that has inspired generations of poets and readers alike. Delmore Schwartz's "The Poet" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.

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