Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "The Resolve" is a succinct yet powerful meditation on the transformations that occur in nature, drawing a parallel to the inner resolve of the human spirit. Through vivid imagery and an acute sense of natural processes, Levertov explores themes of change, clarity, and purpose.

The poem opens with the journey of the brook: "To come to the river the brook hurtles through rainy woods, overtopping rocks that before the rain were islands." This immediate depiction of the brook in motion through the rain-soaked woods sets a dynamic scene. The use of "hurtles" conveys a sense of urgency and force, suggesting that the brook is driven by a newfound intensity. The rocks, once islands before the rain, symbolize stable points that have now been submerged, indicating a dramatic shift in the landscape.

Levertov continues to describe the altered state of the brook: "Its clearness is gone, and the song." This line signifies the loss of the brook's previous clarity and melodic flow. The clear, singing brook is now transformed by the rain, its character fundamentally changed. This transformation can be seen as a metaphor for moments in life when clarity and ease are replaced by complexity and turbulence.

The brook's new state is described with rich, earthy imagery: "It is a rich brown, a load of churned earth goes with it." The once-clear water is now "rich brown," filled with churned earth. This color change symbolizes the mixing of elements, the blending of what was once separate into a more complex whole. The brook carries the "load of churned earth," which can be seen as the accumulation of experiences, challenges, and transformations that accompany a journey of resolve.

The poem concludes with a focus on the sound of the brook: "The sound now is a direct, intense sound of direction." The transformation of the brook is complete not only in its appearance but also in its sound. The brook's new sound is described as "direct" and "intense," emphasizing a newfound clarity of purpose and direction. The previous song-like quality has been replaced by a powerful, unwavering force. This change in sound reflects a deeper resolve and determination, suggesting that through turbulence and transformation, a clear and purposeful direction emerges.

"The Resolve" by Denise Levertov captures the essence of transformation and the emergence of purpose through vivid natural imagery. The brook's journey from a clear, singing stream to a rich, brown, and forceful current mirrors the human experience of facing challenges and emerging with a renewed sense of direction. Levertov's concise yet evocative language invites readers to reflect on their own processes of change and the ways in which clarity and purpose can be forged through the blending of experiences and the overcoming of obstacles.

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