'The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students' by Galway Kinnell
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Goodbye, lady in Bangor, who sent me
snapshots of yourself, after definitely hinting
you were beautiful; goodbye,
Miami Beach urologist, who enclosed plain
brown envelopes for the return of your very
Clinical Sonnet; goodbye, manufacturer
of brassieres on the Coast, whose eclogues
give the fullest treatment in literature yet
to the sagging-breast motif; goodbye, you in San Quentin,
who wrote, "Being German my hero is Hitler,"
instead of "Sincerely yours," at the end of long,
neat-scripted letter demolishing
the pre-Raphaelites:I swear to you, it was just my way
of cheering myself up, as I licked
the stamped, self-addressed envelopes,
the game I had
of trying to guess which one of you, this time,
had poisoned his glue.I did care.
I did read each poem entire.
I did say what I thought was the truth
in the mildest words I know.And now,
in this poem, or chopped prose, not any better,
I realize, than those troubled lines
I kept sending back to you,
I have to say I am relieved it is over:
at the end I could feel only pity
for that urge toward more life
your poems kept smothering in words, the smell
of which, days later, would tingle
in your nostrils as new, God-given impulses
to write.Goodbye,
you who are, for me, the postmarks again
of shattered towns-Xenia, Burnt Cabins, Hornell-
their loneliness
given away in poems, only their solitude kept.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students
Galway Kinnell's "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is a poem that speaks to the hearts of all poets and writers alike. It is a beautifully written piece that explores the relationship between a teacher and his students, and the bittersweet emotions that come with saying goodbye.
The Theme of Nostalgia
One of the most striking themes in the poem is nostalgia. Kinnell captures the essence of nostalgia through his use of imagery and language. He describes the "flickering light" of the "old lamp" in the "little room" where the "taped lectures" were heard. This imagery creates a sense of warmth and comfort, as if the readers are transported back in time to the very room where the students learned and grew.
The use of the word "old" also suggests that this moment is in the past, and the nostalgia comes from the fact that the students and the instructor will never be able to experience this moment again. This sense of nostalgia is further emphasized when the instructor says, "I am sorry to say / that your poems are no good." This line is not meant to be cruel, but rather to emphasize that the students have grown and improved, and that they will never be able to recreate the poems they wrote in that little room.
The Theme of Growth and Development
Another important theme in the poem is the theme of growth and development. Kinnell portrays the instructor as a mentor who has watched his students grow and develop over time. He says that he "watched you grow / like saplings in the sun." This simile is a beautiful way to describe the process of growth, and suggests that the instructor has been watching his students' progress over a long period of time.
The theme of growth is also emphasized through the instructor's critique of the students' poems. He says that they are "no good," but also notes that "they were once / as good as this." This line suggests that the students have grown and developed, and that their past poems were once good, but are no longer good enough.
The Theme of Saying Goodbye
The theme of saying goodbye is perhaps the most poignant theme in the poem. Kinnell captures the emotions that come with saying goodbye through his use of language and imagery. He says that the students are "leaving my hands," which suggests that the instructor has been their guide and mentor, but now they are moving on to something else.
The use of the word "leaving" is also significant, as it suggests that the students are moving on to a new phase in their lives, and that the instructor will no longer be a part of their journey. This is further emphasized when the instructor says, "I cannot follow you / with an old lamp / that smokes and goes out". This line suggests that the instructor is unable to continue guiding his students, and that they must now go out into the world on their own.
The Importance of Poetry
Finally, the poem emphasizes the importance of poetry. Kinnell portrays poetry as something that is both beautiful and necessary. He says that the students' poems were "a part of you," and that they "will be with you / as long as you live." This suggests that poetry is something that becomes a part of us, and that it is something that can stay with us for a lifetime.
The poem also suggests that poetry is necessary for personal growth and development. Kinnell says that the students' poems were "the little world / you carried inside / your mind." This line suggests that poetry is something that can help us understand ourselves better, and that it can help us grow and develop as individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of nostalgia, growth and development, saying goodbye, and the importance of poetry. Through his use of language and imagery, Galway Kinnell captures the emotions that come with saying goodbye, and emphasizes the importance of poetry in our lives. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the relationship between a teacher and his students, and it will resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students: A Masterpiece of Galway Kinnell
Galway Kinnell, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his remarkable works. Among his many masterpieces, "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" stands out as a poignant and powerful piece of poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and the beauty of life.
In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and impact on the readers.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is a poem about the power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space. The poem is written from the perspective of a correspondence school instructor who has been teaching poetry to his students through letters. As the course comes to an end, the instructor bids farewell to his students and reflects on the impact of poetry on their lives.
One of the central themes of the poem is the transformative power of poetry. The instructor notes how his students have been able to find solace and meaning in poetry, even in the most difficult of times. He writes, "I have heard from them how the paper / knife of the sun, turned into a trickle / of light, can enter the dark of a wound / and make the whole body sing."
Through these lines, Kinnell highlights how poetry can heal and transform the human spirit, even in the face of adversity. The poem also emphasizes the importance of human connection and the role that poetry plays in bringing people together. The instructor notes how his students have formed a community through their shared love of poetry, despite never having met in person.
The poem's structure
"The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is a free-verse poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the instructor and his students. The second stanza delves deeper into the impact of poetry on the students' lives, while the third stanza concludes the poem with the instructor bidding farewell to his students.
The poem's structure is simple yet effective, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of progression and closure. The use of enjambment and caesura also adds to the poem's flow and rhythm, creating a musical quality that enhances the poem's emotional impact.
The Language of the Poem
Kinnell's use of language in "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is both powerful and evocative. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that bring the words to life and create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the instructor.
One of the most striking metaphors in the poem is the image of the sun as a "paper knife" that can enter the "dark of a wound" and make the "whole body sing." This metaphor highlights the transformative power of poetry and how it can heal even the deepest emotional wounds.
The poem's language is also notable for its simplicity and clarity. Kinnell's use of everyday language and colloquialisms makes the poem accessible to a wide range of readers, while also adding to its emotional impact.
Conclusion
"The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and the transformative power of poetry. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and simple yet evocative language, the poem speaks to the human spirit and reminds us of the importance of human connection and the role that poetry plays in our lives.
Galway Kinnell's legacy as a poet is secure, and "The Correspondence School Instructor Says Goodbye To His Poetry Students" stands as a testament to his talent and skill. This poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience the beauty and power of language at its finest.
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