Gary Snyder, poetry analysis, Jim Dodge
The Hay for the Horses is a poem of disappointments. It uses a free verse form, to create an atmosphere as if we were standing right next to the person talking. There are different interpretations of the text, and although the poem was written in 1958, there are various aspects and motifs we can still relate to today. In the below analysis, we are going to review some of the most powerful poetical elements of the literary work, based on our own perception and academic resources.
Jim Dodge himself considered the Hay for the Horses a flawless poem. (2000. pp. 17.) He states that the poem is intended to express the dignity of a hard day's work, however, there are different interpretations available. For me, the poem is about disappointment and the funeral of plans and dreams, however, some people think that there is a huge amount of bitterness combined with humor in the verse. Below, we are going to examine the three different elements based on the use of language, form and structure.
[...] Therefore, the thesis that the poem Hay for the Horses is a combination of reflection, dignity and bitter humor is proven. References Snyder, G. (2000).The Gary Snyder reader. [online] Retrieved: http://books.google.com/books?id=BTa6gvKV3kUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Th e+Gary+Snyder+reader.&hl=en&ei=hJqdTo7nFM6Oswbp_ZzgAw&sa=X&oi=book_resu lt&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Turner, J. (1991.) Gary Snyder and the practice of the wild. Patagonia catalogue, Fall -Winter 1991. [online] Retrieved: http://www.jesusradicals.com/wp-content/uploads/recovery-from-western- civilization.pdf The real work: interviews & talks1964- (1980) [online] Retrieved: http://books.google.com/books?id=DKvw6Imsc0wC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ga ry+Snyder&hl=en&ei=3JudTr2nNM_ZsgbXw8W8CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result &resnum=4&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false Snyder, G. (1958). [...]
[...] Traditional American farming communities have been always the favorite topics of Gary Snyder, as well as the nature. We can explore both of these elements in detail in the Hay for the Horses. By creating a realistic account of the life of a speaker, he also adds some excitement to the description, such as: “dangerous roads”, or “driven half the night”. Although we can see that the person works hard for living, “Itch of haydust in the sweaty shirt and shoes.” he still appears as a confident and experienced person. [...]
[...] 1973), he thinks about a poem metaphorically. The “erasure of the self” is one of the main aspects of Zen Buddhism the poem has accomplished, therefore, we can see the actions and their realistic descriptions in the poem as a the clearing of the self and realization. By creating the list of things he does every day, they allow themselves time to reflect on his life. Also, the robotic and repetitive work might serve as a form of meditation. The poet changes perspective in the end of the literary work; from a narrative perspective to a reflective one. [...]
[...] Hay for the Horses Gary Snyder poetry analysis Introduction The Hay for the Horses is a poem of disappointments. It uses a free verse form, to create an atmosphere as if we were standing right next to the person talking. There are different interpretations of the text, and although the poem was written in 1958, there are various aspects and motifs we can still relate to today. In the below analysis, we are going to review some of the most powerful poetical elements of the literary work, based on our own perception and academic resources. [...]
[...] We might consider that the Hay for the Horses is a narrative poem, however, there are plenty of reflective elements featured. As the speaker lists the things he has done in the day, we might feel the contrast between the perceived value of the type of work in the society and the pride or disappointment (contrast created by the poet) of the actor. Zen philosophy is easy to discover in the poem, when we reflect on the factual review of one's life. [...]
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