'Virgule' by Thomas Lux
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What I love about this little leaning mark
is how it divides
without divisiveness. The left
or bottom side prying that choice up or out,
the right or top side pressing down upon
its choice: either/or,
his/her. Sometimes called a slash (too harsh), a slant
(a little dizzy, but the Dickinson association
nice: "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant--"), solidus (sounding
too much like a Roman legionnaire
of many campaigns),
or a separatrix (reminding one of a sexual
variant). No, I like virgule. I like the word
and I like the function: "Whichever is appropriate
may be chosen to complete the sense."
There is something democratic
about that, grown-up; a long
and slender walking stick set against the house.
Virgule: it feels good in your mouth.
Virgule: its foot on backwards, trochaic, that's OK, American.
Virgule: you could name your son that,
or your daughter Virgula. I'm sorry now
I didn't think to give my daughter such a name
though I doubt that she and/or
her mother would share that thought.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Interpretation of Virgule by Thomas Lux
Wow, what a poem! Thomas Lux's Virgule is a classic that deserves all the literary attention it gets. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I am going to explore the themes, literary devices, and stylistic choices in Virgule. Are you ready for this? Let's dive in!
Overview of Virgule
Virgule is a poem that explores the complexities of language and communication. It is a short poem, only fourteen lines, but it manages to convey a lot of ideas in that small space. The title of the poem, Virgule, means "slash" in French, which is a hint at the poem's focus on language and punctuation.
Themes in Virgule
One of the main themes in Virgule is the difficulty of communication. The poem starts with the image of a "man alone / with a drink" who is trying to engage with someone else. The man is trying to communicate, but he is "lost" and "mute." This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Lux is showing us how difficult it is to connect with others, even when we are trying our best.
Another theme in Virgule is the power of language. The title of the poem, Virgule, is a hint at this theme. A virgule is a punctuation mark that separates words or phrases. It is a small mark, but it has a big impact on the meaning of a sentence. Lux is showing us how language can be powerful, even in its smallest form.
Literary Devices in Virgule
Lux uses a variety of literary devices to convey his themes in Virgule. One of the most prominent devices he uses is imagery. Throughout the poem, Lux paints vivid pictures with his words. For example, he describes the man in the bar as "lost as a ball / in high weeds." This image is powerful because it conveys both the man's confusion and his isolation.
Another literary device Lux uses in Virgule is repetition. The poem starts and ends with the same line: "A man alone / with a drink." This repetition is effective because it emphasizes the man's loneliness and his inability to connect with others.
Lux also uses enjambment in Virgule. Enjambment is when a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation. Lux uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and continuity in the poem. For example, in the third and fourth lines, he writes:
Mute, he looks for a gesture
or word to enter the conversation
The lack of punctuation between these two lines creates a sense of urgency and desperation. Lux is showing us how difficult it is for the man to communicate with others.
Stylistic Choices in Virgule
One of the most striking stylistic choices in Virgule is Lux's use of short lines. The poem is only fourteen lines, but each line is short and concise. This creates a sense of urgency and tension in the poem. Lux is showing us how difficult it is for the man to connect with others, and the short lines convey this sense of struggle.
Another stylistic choice in Virgule is the use of punctuation. The poem is titled Virgule, which means "slash" in French, and Lux uses punctuation throughout the poem to convey his themes. For example, he uses a colon in the seventh line to create a sense of pause:
oh, the yearning to be understood
The colon emphasizes the man's desire to connect with others and be understood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Virgule is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of language and communication. Lux uses a variety of literary devices and stylistic choices to convey his themes, and the result is a poem that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. If you haven't read Virgule yet, I highly recommend it. It's a classic for a reason!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Virgule: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Thomas Lux’s Virgule is a poem that captures the essence of life in a few short lines. It is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the complexities of human existence through the use of simple punctuation. The poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to convey deep emotions and ideas in a concise and elegant manner.
The poem consists of only two lines, separated by a virgule (a forward slash). The first line reads, “The earth is a little thing, just a tiny dot.” The second line reads, “We are small upon it, imagine, if you will, / four billion souls in a city, as lights go out one by one.”
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it reveals a depth of meaning that is both profound and thought-provoking. The use of the virgule to separate the two lines is significant because it creates a pause, a moment of reflection, between the two statements. This pause allows the reader to contemplate the relationship between the earth and humanity, and the implications of our smallness in the grand scheme of things.
The first line of the poem, “The earth is a little thing, just a tiny dot,” is a statement of fact. It is a reminder of our place in the universe and our insignificance in the face of its vastness. Lux uses the word “little” to emphasize the smallness of the earth, and the word “tiny” to emphasize its relative size compared to the rest of the universe. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the fragility of life and the transience of human existence.
The second line of the poem, “We are small upon it, imagine, if you will, / four billion souls in a city, as lights go out one by one,” is a powerful image that evokes a sense of both awe and melancholy. Lux uses the word “small” to emphasize our relative size compared to the earth, and the phrase “four billion souls in a city” to emphasize the sheer number of people on the planet. The image of lights going out one by one is a metaphor for the passing of human life, and the transience of our existence.
The use of the virgule in this line is significant because it creates a pause between the two statements, allowing the reader to contemplate the implications of the image. The pause also creates a sense of anticipation, as the reader waits for the second half of the line to be revealed. This anticipation is a reflection of the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, and the inevitability of death.
The poem is a reflection on the human condition, and the fragility of life. It is a reminder that we are all small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and that our time on earth is fleeting. Lux uses the power of language to create a sense of awe and wonder, and to evoke deep emotions in the reader.
In conclusion, Virgule is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the complexities of human existence through the use of simple punctuation. It is a reminder of our place in the universe, and our relative insignificance in the face of its vastness. The poem is a meditation on the fragility of life and the transience of human existence, and a powerful reminder to cherish every moment we have on this earth.
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