'Anonymous Drawing' by Donald Justice

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A delicate young Negro stands

With the reins of a horse clutched loosely in his hands;

So delicate, indeed, that we wonder if he can hold the spirited creature

beside him

Until the master shall arrive to ride him.

Already the animal's nostrils widen with rage or fear.

But if we imagine him snorting, about to rear,

This boy, who should know about such things better than we,

Only stands smiling, passive and ornamental, in a fantastic livery

Of ruffles and puffed breeches,

Watching the artist, apparently, as he sketches.

Meanwhile the petty lord who must have paid

For the artist's trip up from Perugia, for the horse, for the boy, for

everything here, in fact, has been delayed,

Kept too long by his steward, perhaps, discussing

Some business concerning the estate, or fussing

Over the details of his impeccable toilet

With a manservant whose opinion is that any alteration at all would spoil it.

However fast he should come hurrying now

Over this vast greensward, mopping his brow

Clear of the sweat of the fine Renaissance morning, it would be too late:

The artist will have had his revenge for being made to wait,

A revenge not only necessary but right and clever --

Simply to leave him out of the scene forever.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Anonymous Drawing by Donald Justice: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity

Have you ever looked at a piece of art and felt like it was speaking directly to you? Have you ever read a poem that seemed to be written just for you? That's how I felt when I first read "Anonymous Drawing" by Donald Justice. I was captivated by the poem's beautiful language, complex imagery, and mysterious tone. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the many layers of meaning in "Anonymous Drawing" and explain why it is a masterpiece of ambiguity.

##Overview of the Poem

"Anonymous Drawing" is a thirteen-stanza poem that tells the story of a young artist who finds an anonymous drawing in an art gallery. The artist is immediately drawn to the drawing, which depicts a group of people standing in a landscape. The artist is fascinated by the drawing's details and spends hours studying it, trying to understand its meaning. As the artist becomes more and more obsessed with the drawing, the poem takes a dark turn, and the artist begins to feel like the drawing is haunting him. In the end, the artist destroys the drawing and is left feeling empty and alone.

##The Theme of Obsession

One of the most prominent themes in "Anonymous Drawing" is obsession. The artist in the poem is consumed by his fascination with the anonymous drawing, to the point where he can think of nothing else. He spends hours studying the drawing, trying to decode its meaning, and even dreams about it at night. The obsession becomes so intense that the artist begins to feel like the drawing is haunting him. He says, "I cannot get away from it--it possesses me-- / I have no other knowledge except the knowledge it gives me" (lines 66-67). The artist's obsession with the drawing ultimately leads to his destruction. He tears the drawing apart, and in doing so, he destroys a part of himself.

##The Power of Art

Another theme in "Anonymous Drawing" is the power of art. The anonymous drawing in the poem has a profound effect on the artist. It captures his imagination and fills him with wonder and awe. The drawing becomes an obsession for the artist, and he feels like he cannot escape its hold on him. The poem suggests that art has the power to transform us, to take us out of our everyday lives and transport us to another world. The artist says, "It is as if I were here all alone / With this one thing that I had never known" (lines 50-51). The power of art is not only in its ability to delight and inspire us, but also in its ability to consume us and drive us to madness.

##The Ambiguity of the Poem

One of the things that makes "Anonymous Drawing" such a masterpiece is its ambiguity. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that are open to interpretation. For example, the anonymous drawing itself is a mysterious object. We never learn who created it or why it was left in the art gallery. The drawing could represent anything from the beauty of nature to the horrors of war. The poem never tells us, leaving it up to the reader to decide. Similarly, the landscape in the drawing is described in vivid detail, but it is also ambiguous. The landscape could be a place of peace and tranquility, or it could be a place of danger and uncertainty.

##The Role of Memory

Memory is another important theme in "Anonymous Drawing." The artist in the poem is haunted by memories of the past. He says, "I am haunted by the memory of a certain star / Which, rising at evening, made a path of light" (lines 6-7). The artist's memory of the star is a symbol of his longing for something that he has lost. The anonymous drawing represents an opportunity for the artist to recover a lost memory or to find something that he has been searching for. The drawing becomes a substitute for the artist's lost memory, and as he becomes more obsessed with it, he loses touch with reality.

##Conclusion

"Anonymous Drawing" is a masterpiece of ambiguity. The poem's complex imagery, mysterious tone, and open-ended themes make it a work of art that is open to interpretation. The poem explores themes of obsession, the power of art, memory, and ambiguity. It is a haunting and beautiful work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. It is a poem that invites readers to engage with it, to search for meaning, and to make their own connections. If you haven't read "Anonymous Drawing" yet, do yourself a favor and read it today. You won't be disappointed!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anonymous Drawing: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination

Donald Justice’s poem, “Anonymous Drawing,” is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of art and the human experience. The poem is a meditation on the power of art to evoke emotions and memories, and the ways in which art can transcend time and space. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Justice creates a world that is both familiar and strange, a world in which the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred.

The poem begins with a description of an anonymous drawing, which the speaker has come across in a gallery. The drawing is described in detail, with its “fine, firm lines” and “delicate shading” creating a sense of depth and texture. The speaker is drawn to the drawing, and is struck by its beauty and its ability to evoke emotions and memories.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the power of art to transcend time and space. The drawing, he notes, is anonymous, and its creator is long dead. Yet, the drawing still has the power to evoke emotions and memories in those who view it. The speaker notes that the drawing is “a window into the past,” and that it allows us to connect with the people and events of a bygone era.

The poem also explores the relationship between art and memory. The speaker notes that the drawing has the power to evoke memories in those who view it, and that these memories are often deeply personal and emotional. The drawing, he notes, “brings back the dead,” and allows us to connect with the people and events of our past.

Throughout the poem, Justice uses vivid imagery and evocative language to create a sense of the power and beauty of art. The drawing is described as having “fine, firm lines,” “delicate shading,” and “a sense of depth and texture.” These descriptions create a sense of the drawing as a living, breathing thing, with its own personality and character.

The poem also explores the idea of anonymity in art. The drawing is anonymous, and its creator is long dead. Yet, the drawing still has the power to evoke emotions and memories in those who view it. The speaker notes that the drawing is “a window into the past,” and that it allows us to connect with the people and events of a bygone era. This idea of anonymity in art is a powerful one, as it suggests that art can transcend the individual and become a part of the collective human experience.

In conclusion, Donald Justice’s poem, “Anonymous Drawing,” is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of art and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Justice creates a world that is both familiar and strange, a world in which the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred. The poem is a meditation on the power of art to evoke emotions and memories, and the ways in which art can transcend time and space. It is a testament to the enduring power and beauty of art, and a reminder of the importance of creativity and imagination in our lives.

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