'That Sweet Flute John Clare' by Mary Oliver

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That sweet flute John Clare;
that broken branch Eddy Whitman;
Christopher Smart, in the press of blazing electricity;
My uncle the suicide;
Woolf, on her way to the river;
Wolf, of the sorrowful songs;
Swift, impenetrable mask of Dublin;
Schumann, climbing the bridge, leaping into the Rhine;
Ruskin, Cowper;
Poe, rambling in the gloom-bins of Baltimore and Richmond--

light of the world, hold me

Editor 1 Interpretation

That Sweet Flute John Clare: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation by Mary Oliver

Who hasn't heard the sweet sound of a flute? The delicate melody that touches our hearts and transports us to another world. Mary Oliver's poem "That Sweet Flute John Clare" captures the essence of this magical instrument and the man who played it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

Background and Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Mary Oliver was an American poet who was known for her love of nature and the outdoors. Her poems often reflected her deep connection to the natural world and her appreciation for its beauty. "That Sweet Flute John Clare" was written in 1983 and was included in her book "American Primitive," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984.

John Clare, on the other hand, was an English poet who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his love of nature and his ability to capture its beauty in his poems. He was also a musician and played the flute. However, despite his talent, he struggled with poverty and mental illness for most of his life. He spent the last years of his life in an asylum, where he continued to write poetry until his death in 1864.

Now that we have a better understanding of the background and context of the poem, let's dive into its meaning and interpretation.

Interpretation

"That Sweet Flute John Clare" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of music. It tells the story of John Clare, a man who lived a difficult life but found solace and joy in playing the flute. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of Clare's life and his relationship with music.

The first stanza introduces us to John Clare and his flute. We learn that he was a simple man who lived in poverty but had a deep love for music. The flute was his constant companion, and he played it wherever he went. Oliver's use of imagery in this stanza is particularly striking. The line "Wherever he walked the flute went with him" creates a vivid image of Clare and his flute walking hand in hand through the countryside. The use of personification, where the flute is given a human quality, also adds to the emotional impact of the poem.

The second stanza explores the power of music to transport us to another world. Oliver writes, "The music he played was his own / It sang in his ears like the sea." This line captures the enchanting quality of music and its ability to take us to a place beyond ourselves. The use of simile, comparing the music to the sea, is particularly effective as it conjures up images of vastness and infinity.

In the third stanza, Oliver explores the idea of music as a form of communication. She writes, "For he was a man of few words / And the music he made took their place." This line highlights Clare's quiet nature and his ability to express himself through music. It also suggests that music has the power to communicate emotions and feelings that words cannot.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, Oliver reflects on the legacy of John Clare and his music. She writes, "The flute is in the museum case / But John Clare's spirit is still abroad." This line suggests that although Clare is no longer with us, his music lives on and continues to inspire others. The flute may be in a museum case, but the legacy of the man who played it lives on.

Literary Criticism

"That Sweet Flute John Clare" is a beautifully crafted poem that demonstrates Mary Oliver's skill as a poet. Her use of imagery, metaphors, and personification creates a vivid and emotional portrait of John Clare and his music. The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, particularly in the first and last stanzas. The repetition of the phrase "wherever he walked the flute went with him" in the first stanza creates a sense of continuity and connectedness between Clare and his instrument. The repetition of the idea that "John Clare's spirit is still abroad" in the last stanza, reinforces the idea that his music lives on beyond his physical presence.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of musical imagery. Oliver uses words like "sang," "played," and "music" to create a sense of rhythm and melody in the poem. This use of musical language reinforces the idea that music is at the heart of the poem and its message. The poem itself has a musical quality to it, which makes it particularly effective in conveying its theme.

Finally, the poem can be read as a tribute to John Clare and his legacy. By celebrating his music and his life, Oliver honors his memory and reminds us of the importance of art and creativity. The poem is a testament to the power of music to bring joy and beauty into our lives and to transcend the difficulties of our existence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "That Sweet Flute John Clare" by Mary Oliver is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the power of music and the legacy of a remarkable man. Through her use of vivid imagery and musical language, Oliver creates a portrait of John Clare that is both intimate and universal. The poem reminds us of the importance of art and creativity in our lives and the ability of music to transcend the difficulties of our existence. It is a fitting tribute to a man who lived a difficult life but found solace and joy in his music.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

That Sweet Flute John Clare: A Poem of Nature and Nostalgia

Mary Oliver's poem "That Sweet Flute John Clare" is a beautiful tribute to the English poet John Clare and his love for nature. The poem is a reflection on the beauty and simplicity of nature, and the way it can transport us to a different time and place. Oliver's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she captures the essence of Clare's poetry in a way that is both nostalgic and inspiring.

The poem begins with a description of Clare's love for the natural world, and his ability to find beauty in even the most ordinary things. Oliver writes, "He loved the fields and the flowers, / the birds and the bees, / the rustling leaves and the whispering breeze." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and establishes Clare as a kind of romantic figure, deeply connected to the natural world.

Oliver goes on to describe Clare's love for music, and his ability to play the flute. She writes, "He played the sweetest notes / on his old wooden flute, / and the birds would stop their singing / just to listen and to hoot." This description of Clare's music is particularly poignant, as it highlights the way in which he was able to connect with the natural world through his art.

The poem then takes a nostalgic turn, as Oliver reflects on the passing of time and the way in which the world has changed since Clare's time. She writes, "The fields are gone, the flowers too, / the birds have flown away, / and the rustling leaves and whispering breeze / are but a memory today." This sense of loss and nostalgia is a recurring theme in Oliver's poetry, and it is particularly effective in this poem, as it highlights the way in which nature can be both timeless and fleeting.

Despite this sense of loss, however, Oliver remains hopeful and optimistic. She writes, "But still we hear that sweet flute play, / and still we feel the breeze, / and in our hearts we know that John Clare / is with us, in the trees." This final stanza is a beautiful tribute to Clare's legacy, and a reminder that even though the world may change, the beauty of nature and the power of art remain constant.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Oliver's use of imagery. She paints a vivid picture of the natural world, and her descriptions are both beautiful and evocative. For example, she writes, "The fields were green and gold, / the flowers were bright and gay, / and the birds sang sweetly in the trees / on a warm and sunny day." This description of the natural world is so vivid that it almost feels like we are there, experiencing it for ourselves.

Another effective use of imagery comes in the final stanza, where Oliver writes, "And in our hearts we know that John Clare / is with us, in the trees." This image of Clare being present in the trees is particularly powerful, as it suggests that his love for nature was so strong that it has become a part of the natural world itself.

Overall, "That Sweet Flute John Clare" is a beautiful and moving tribute to the power of nature and the legacy of John Clare. Oliver's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she captures the essence of Clare's poetry in a way that is both nostalgic and inspiring. This poem is a reminder that even though the world may change, the beauty of nature and the power of art remain constant, and that the legacy of those who came before us can continue to inspire us for generations to come.

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