Gertrude Stein

I am really intrigued by Gertrude Stein’s methodology and creation of poetic prose. The flow and rhythm of the sound in the verse is what draws me into the scenes she depicts in the set of poems from Tender Buttons.

In Tender Buttons she creates a view of everyday objects like a carafe or a chicken that turns these objects into glorified, meaningful and realistic pieces of art and life. As a feminist, I find her subjects especially intriguing. Stein takes the aspects of life that patriarchal society deems menial, and paints them as interesting nuances that interest both sexes. I thought it was really interesting on Wednesday when Rachel brought up the idea that Stein’s poetry reads a lot like a cook book. This idea is interesting, especially considering the fact that her writing is celebrating the household objects of the “woman’s world.” I wonder if this focus on femininity and the role of the woman was part of her thinking and aim in creating this collection of poetry.

Her work is pure art that imitates that of an abstract painting. At first glimpse her structure and rhythm seem rather barbaric, but upon closer observation, the structure and rhythm are magnified in the sound of each word she uses in her writing. Her writing may be similar to that of lose prose, but it is easy to see that she carefully chose each and every word to describe and bring to life the subjects of her poems. A perfect example of this is in the poem Chicken. In this poem uses the words stick and sticking to create the sounds of a chicken while not actually using those words to say this is the noise a chicken makes. Her words, in this sense can be taken for much more than face value.

In considering the conversation about the signifier and the signified, I was reminded of the painting by Magritte “Ceci n’est pas une pipe.” Stein’s poetry turns a simple representation of an object into the real life form.

Langston Hughes (2/16)

In reading Langston Hughes’ poetry I am compelled by his use of imagery and sensory. As a reader, I am drawn into the scene of each poem and I can taste, smell and share the pain of the suffering antagonists he creates in his works. Two poems that draw me in the most are The Bitter River and Suicide’s Note. These two poems, although very different in structure and length, bring forth the same underlying themes of suffering and loss. Water in both instances, is a central subject that represents death, destruction and pain. The water depicted in The Bitter River is much darker and polluted with the poem’s themes of suffering and loss. In the Bitter River, the water is a dirty, unwanted entity that only brings more pain. Langston Hughes personifies the river as the oppressive white race and as racism and segregation when he writes, “I have drunk at that river too long: Dreamer of dreams to be broken, builder of hopes to be smashed” (695). The antagonist sees the river, like segregation, as the root of all evil that has swallowed up and washed away all of the light and happiness in his life.

Going along with this idea, the poem Suicide’s Note also represents an end to life. In this poem however, that water of this river flows clam and invitingly. I am skeptic of this calmness though, because what is not seen in the poem is what has driven the writer of the suicide note to commit suicide. I assume that the same racism, pain and suffering seen in The Bitter River are what have drawn this individual to the river to drown their self. In this sense, despite the calmness, this river is no cleaner or any less bitter than that of the Mississippi which carries the blood of many black people. In drowning their self in the river they are trying to escape all of the pain and suffering, but they are making the water of the river just as bitter as the Mississippi. Suicide like lynching carries very negative and “bitter” connotations.

I find the comparisons between these two poems to be very intriguing and I would like to discuss Suicide Note in class.

William Carlos Williams

William Carlos Williams’ poetry is written very simplistically and yet it is more meaningful and beautiful than most poetry that is written in complex verse intended to mean much more than the words on the paper. The images that Williams creates in his poetry are what draw me into the poetry and allow me to find power and meaning in every word. I think it is much more interesting when 10 words can say more than 100, which is exactly how I view Williams’ poems.

Three of the poems we have discussed in class, I feel demonstrate Williams’ capability to say so much and share so much emotion with so few words. These poems include, “This is Just to Say”, “The Red Wheelbarrow” and “The Great Figure”. When reading these poems the reader is drawn into the scenes depicted by Williams and his choice verse. Not only am I the reader drawn into the scene, but I also feel the surrounding emotions and settings.

In the poem, “This is Just to Say” not only can I picture the plums, but I can almost taste the juice on my lips and feel that sense of warmth and happiness that the plums brought the subject of the poem. This poem is not only funny, but also filling. “The Red Wheelbarrow” also demonstrates how a simple tool or subject can take on such meaningful form. The opening lines, I feel, definitely set the mood and emotion of the poem. From the get go I am able to see and fee the underlying importance and need for the simple things in life. As simple as a wheelbarrow is, it is a very helpful and powerful tool that can make life much easier. Going along with the color red, the poem, “The Great Image” also depicts a very strong image of the red fire engine on its way to fire. The blurring of the engine that Williams depicts shows the urgency and need for those powerful and trustworthy aspects of life, much like that in the Red Wheelbarrow. This creates much emotion in the scene as well as in the reader.

Williams’ poetry demonstrates a great deal of emotion and meaningful imagery despite the lack of words. I feel that in the long run, his poetry is stronger as a result.

W.E.B. Dubois Discussion

One of the quotes that stands out as being particularly significant in W.E.B. DuBois’ speech, “Of Booker T. Washington and Others” is that which reads, “In all things purely social we can be as separate as the five fingers, and yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.” I think this quote exemplifies the state of the country during this time period.
During the Civil War the country was split and separated upon lines of race, political party, location and social interest. These divisions created boundaries and hostilities, but they also marked the grounds and issues upon which our country fought to unify and progress. While slavery, in my mind, is not a means to progress, those of the Confederate South believed that through slavery much grandeur, power and money could be made. To these individuals, slavery made for financial and political stout, thus they viewed and fought to keep slavery in order for the country to progress on a financial and power level.
On the other hand, those of the Union North fought to end slavery and the divisions that separated the citizens of the United States in order for the country to unite as one and advance as one unified nation. Most, including myself, see the North’s point of view more fitting for Du Bois’ metaphor of the hand. For, even though there are things in life that separate us along certain lines, all people can unite as humans, regardless of race, political and social class. With this mentality, progress can proceed and the United States can go forth as a unified nation and front.
It is interesting when reading and studying the events surrounding the Civil War to unveil the messages of the texts and find the hidden metaphors that stand out as the strongest symbols of the time and movement.