Modernist poems

Respected sir

here i present my interpretation about modernist poems




Characteristics of modernist literature:


1. Brokenness

2. Nothingness

3. Effect of 2 world war


1.) ‘The Embankment‘- T. E. Hulme
Once, in finesse of fiddles found I ecstasy,




In a flash of gold heels on the hard pavement.




Now see I




That warmth’s the very stuff of poesy.




Oh, God, make small




The old star-eaten blanket of the sky,




That I may fold it round me and in comfort lie.




“The Embankment” poem is about the fantasia of fallen gentleman on a cold butter night.And it is also connect with the human life. The narrator of the poem calling himself a falling gentleman and it is reflects on his past and how he found pleasure in worldly social activities and beautiful women probably courtesans or probably courtesans or prostitutes. Here is a symbol like “star eaten blanket” shows in negative meaning.




2.) "Darkness" - Joseph Campbell




I stop to watch a star shine




in the boghole -




A star no longer, but a silver




ribbon of light.




I look at it and pass on.




In this poem title it self reflect the image of ' dawn fall ''Star' is a symbol of prosperity and brightness means that there was some goodness in civilization but now it's all dark . Here we can see that people were hopeless in that victprian time.




3.) 'Image' - Edward Storer




Forsaken lovers,




Burning to a chaste white moon




Upon strange Pyres of loneliness and




drought.




The 'Forsaken lovers' (people of civilization) are burning. And burning word gives various meaning, Burning with the lust, isolation, ideal thoughts .This brokenness of civilization especially after the World war. The title of poem itself reflects modernist metaphor.

4.) "In a station of the Metro" - Ezra Pound






The apparition of these faces in the Crowd;




Petals on a wet, black bough




In this poem poet describe Metro station and the title of the poem itself gives an image of the mechanism of life and it is a also symbol of the modernism. Here we can say that in this poem poet representing the Victorian people mind set that people who are living physically but mentally they all are dead because of their hasty life. Here black bough’ word give us meaning the culture of living dead people.




5.) 'The Pool' - Hilda Doolittle









Are you alive?




I touch you




You quiver trembling like a sea-fish




I cover you with my net




What are you- banded one?




The title ' The pool' gives us an image of stored water and also suggests lifelessness. And in the first line Poet asks are you alive?and we can find that in the Victorian time people like this and in this line Poet say that "You quiver trembling like a sea-fish" so here we can also say again thatModern people are like that fish who lives restless life.




6.) "Insouciance" – Richard Aldington









In and out of the dreary trenches




Trudging cheerily under the stars




I make for myself little poems




Delicate as a flock of doves




They fly away like white-winged doves




This poem has many contrasting images. 'Dreary trenches' is used as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The words like 'Trudging' and 'cheerily' gives contrasting meaning. And this poem is looks like a war poem about soldiers who does not worry about death here death is a symbol

.

7).Morning at the Window - T. S. Eliot




They are rattling breakfast plates in basement kitchens,




And along the trampled edges of the street




I am aware of the damp souls of housemaid




Sprouting despondently at area gates.







The brown waves of fog toss up to me




Twisted faces from the bottom of the street,




And tear from a passer-by with muddy skirts




An aimless smile that hovers in the air




And vanishes along the level of the roofs.




This poem is about everyday life. The poem has a imagery of morning that how people stats their day that plats are ratting in kitchen.

This poem gives symbol of the dead spirit in people.




8.) The Red Wheelbarrow -William Carlos Williams







so much depends




upon




a red wheel




barrow




glazed with rain




water




beside the white




chicken.







In this poem three images are given: ‘The wheel barrow’, ‘Glazed with rain water’ and ‘White chickens’.Here poet symbolize the ‘red’ color for the wheelbarrow.




9.) Anecdote of the Jar- Wallace Stevens







I placed a jar in Tennessee,




And round it was, upon a hill.




It made the slovenly wilderness




Surround that hill.




The wilderness rose up to it,




And sprawled around, no longer wild.




The jar was round upon the ground




And tall and of a port in air.




It took dominion everywhere.




The jar was gray and bare.




It did not give of bird or bush,




Like nothing else in Tennessee.




This poem is about jar which was in the state “Tennessee” in United States of America. ‘jar’ means that war. And 'Anecdote’ means a small story Here in this poem metaphor is jar.




10.) ‘l (a‘- E. E. Cummings







l(a







le




af




fa




ll







s)




one




l







iness




This poem is mordenism way of writing “ The word ‘fall’ suggest fall of civilization and A falling leaf is symbol of loneliness.




Thank you...