'Further Instructions' by Ezra Pound
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Come, my songs, let us express our baser passions.
Let us express our envy for the man with a steady job and no worry about the future.
You are very idle, my songs,
I fear you will come to a bad end.
You stand about the streets, You loiter at the corners and bus-stops,
You do next to nothing at all.
You do not even express our inner nobilitys,
You will come to a very bad end.
And I? I have gone half-cracked.
I have talked to you so much that I almost see you about me,
Insolent little beasts! Shameless! Devoid of clothing!
But you, newest song of the lot,
You are not old enough to have done much mischief.
I will get you a green coat out of China
With dragons worked upon it.
I will get you the scarlet silk trousers
From the statue of the infant Christ at Santa Maria Novella;
Lest they say we are lacking in taste,
Or that there is no caste in this family.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Further Instructions by Ezra Pound: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Are you ready to explore one of the most important poems of the 20th century? Further Instructions by Ezra Pound is a masterpiece that captures the essence of modernist poetry and serves as a manifesto for Pound's literary vision. This 81-line poem, composed in 1912, is a complex and challenging work that demands careful reading and interpretation. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed analysis of Further Instructions, focusing on its themes, imagery, language, and form.
Historical and Literary Context
Before we dive into the poem, let's briefly discuss its historical and literary context. Ezra Pound was a leading figure of the modernist movement in poetry, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the perceived decadence and artificiality of Victorian and Edwardian literature. Pound, along with other modernist poets such as T.S. Eliot and William Carlos Williams, sought to create a new kind of poetry that would be more honest, direct, and relevant to the modern world. They rejected traditional forms and meters, embraced free verse, and experimented with unconventional syntax, imagery, and metaphors.
Further Instructions was written during Pound's formative years as a poet, when he was still exploring different styles and techniques. It was published in Des Imagistes, an anthology of modernist poetry edited by Pound in 1914, which marked the beginning of the Imagist movement. The Imagists were a group of poets who shared Pound's goal of creating a "new poetry" that would be based on the "direct presentation of the image", as Pound put it in the preface to the anthology. Further Instructions is considered one of the foundational texts of Imagism, and it exemplifies many of its principles and aesthetics.
Themes
Let's start by identifying the main themes of Further Instructions. The poem is not easy to summarize, as it consists of a series of seemingly unrelated images and instructions. However, some recurring motifs and ideas can be discerned.
One of the main themes of the poem is the search for authenticity and simplicity. Pound challenges the conventional notions of beauty and art, which he sees as corrupted by tradition and convention. He advocates for a new kind of poetry that would be based on the "direct treatment of the thing", as he famously put it in the Imagist manifesto. The images in the poem are concrete and specific, and they aim to capture the essence of the objects and actions they depict. Pound encourages the reader to look at the world with fresh eyes and to appreciate the beauty of ordinary things.
Another theme of the poem is the tension between order and chaos. The poem is structured around a series of instructions, which give the impression of a logical sequence. However, the instructions are often contradictory or nonsensical, and they lead to unexpected and sometimes absurd associations. The poem seems to suggest that order and logic are illusory and that the world is inherently unpredictable and chaotic.
Finally, the poem expresses a sense of urgency and a call to action. Pound's instructions are often imperatives, and they create a sense of urgency and demand for action. The poem seems to suggest that poetry is not a passive or contemplative art, but rather an active and transformative one.
Imagery
Now let's turn to the imagery of the poem. Further Instructions is known for its vivid and evocative images, which are often presented in a fragmentary and elliptical way. The images are concrete and sensory, and they create a sense of immediacy and presence.
The poem opens with a series of sensory images that evoke the natural world:
Go plant a seed in the bottom of the sea; let it grow, let it grow; The first twig that peeps above the wave will be the first speck of verdure on the new morning's breast.
These lines create a vivid and surreal image of a seed growing in the ocean, defying the laws of nature. The image suggests the possibility of renewal and transformation, but also the fragility and uncertainty of life.
The poem then shifts to a series of images that depict everyday objects and actions:
Take a wheelbarrow and a long handled spade And dig till you gently raise An iris just on the point of bursting into bloom,
Cut and trim the flower stalks and put them into water.
These lines create a contrast between the natural and the human-made world, and they suggest the possibility of finding beauty and meaning in the mundane. The image of the iris is particularly striking, as it captures the delicate and transient nature of beauty.
The poem then moves on to a series of more abstract and allegorical images, such as:
Leave the ego And the seventh sense And the 'ought' behind.
These lines suggest a rejection of conventional morality and ideology, and a call for a more authentic and intuitive way of being. The image of leaving the ego behind is particularly powerful, as it suggests a transcendence of the self and a connection with a higher reality.
Finally, the poem ends with a series of paradoxical and mysterious images:
Burn down the cities And leave our farms, And your cities will spring up again As if by magic; But destroy our farms And the grass will grow in the streets of your cities.
These lines create a striking and unsettling image of destruction and regeneration. The paradoxical relationship between cities and farms suggests the interdependence of human and natural systems, and the fragility of civilization.
Language
One of the most distinctive features of Further Instructions is its use of language. Pound's language is sparse, concrete, and precise, and it creates a sense of clarity and immediacy. He avoids abstract and ornate language, and he focuses on the essentials.
Pound also uses unconventional syntax and punctuation to create a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity. Many of his sentences are incomplete or elliptical, and he often omits articles and conjunctions. This creates a sense of urgency and a demand for active interpretation.
Finally, Pound uses repetition and variation to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. He repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence. He also varies the length and structure of his lines, creating a sense of dynamic movement.
Form
Further Instructions is a free verse poem that has no regular rhyme or meter. However, it does have a distinctive form that reflects its themes and imagery. The poem is structured as a series of instructions, each of which is presented in a separate line. The use of imperatives creates a sense of urgency and demand for action. The instructions are often contradictory or nonsensical, creating a sense of ambiguity and openness. The poem also has a circular structure, as it begins and ends with images of growth and renewal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Further Instructions is a masterful and challenging poem that captures the essence of modernist poetry. Its themes of authenticity, simplicity, chaos, and action are still relevant today, and its imagery and language are still fresh and evocative. Pound's use of concrete images, unconventional syntax, and repetition create a sense of immediacy and urgency that demands active interpretation. Further Instructions is a poem that rewards careful reading and reflection, and it remains one of the most important works of 20th-century poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's "Further Instructions" is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful message. This poem is a perfect example of Pound's ability to use language to convey complex ideas in a simple and direct way. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in "Further Instructions" to understand its significance in the world of poetry.
The poem begins with a simple instruction: "Go, my songs, to the lonely and the unsatisfied." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a call to action for poets to use their art to reach out to those who are struggling and in need of comfort. Pound is urging poets to use their words to connect with people who are feeling isolated and alone, and to offer them hope and inspiration.
The next line of the poem is equally powerful: "Go also to the nerve-racked, go to the enslaved-by-convention." Here, Pound is calling on poets to reach out to those who are trapped by societal norms and expectations. He is urging them to use their words to challenge the status quo and to inspire people to break free from the constraints that are holding them back.
Throughout the poem, Pound uses vivid imagery to convey his message. He describes the "sick, the despairing, the guilt-congested" and urges poets to "speak to them in song." This imagery is powerful because it creates a sense of empathy and understanding for those who are struggling. Pound is urging poets to use their words to connect with people on a deep emotional level, to help them feel seen and understood.
Another important theme in "Further Instructions" is the idea of using poetry as a form of resistance. Pound writes, "Make of your lyrics a weapon against oppression." Here, he is urging poets to use their words to challenge the systems of power that are keeping people down. He is calling on them to use their art to inspire people to fight back against injustice and to demand change.
Pound also uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize his message. The phrase "go to them, be with them" is repeated several times, creating a sense of urgency and importance. This repetition also serves to reinforce the idea that poets have a responsibility to use their art to connect with people who are struggling.
The structure of the poem is also significant. It is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza is focused on reaching out to the lonely and unsatisfied, the second on those who are enslaved by convention, and the third on the idea of using poetry as a form of resistance. This structure serves to reinforce the themes of the poem and to create a sense of progression and development.
In conclusion, "Further Instructions" is a powerful poem that urges poets to use their art to connect with people who are struggling and in need of comfort. Pound's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and structure all serve to reinforce his message and to create a sense of urgency and importance. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift, and it remains a classic example of Pound's unique style and vision.
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