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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Anthony Hecht's "From the Grove Press" is a playful and witty poem that engages in wordplay and humor through its use of the double-dactyl form. The poem centers on Ralph Waldo Emerson, the renowned American essayist, lecturer, and poet, and references his frustration with Bostonian society, culminating in an unconventional and uncharacteristic creative output. The poem's structure is notable for its adherence to the double-dactyl form, which is characterized by two quatrains with a strict metrical pattern of two dactyls per line. The form also typically includes a nonsense phrase in the first line, a proper name in the second line, and a six-syllable word or phrase in the second stanza. Hecht expertly employs this challenging form, using the whimsical phrase "Higgledy-piggledy" to set the tone of the poem. Hecht begins by introducing Emerson, a figure deeply associated with transcendentalism and intellectual rigor, and humorously depicts him as being "wroth" or angry with the society in Boston. This unexpected characterization of Emerson adds a layer of humor, as it contrasts with his usual portrayal as a calm and contemplative thinker. The poem's climax is Emerson's creation of an "unprintable Epithalamion." An epithalamion is traditionally a poem written in honor of a bride and bridegroom, celebrating marriage. The adjective "unprintable" suggests that Emerson's poem was scandalous or inappropriate, further heightening the humor by imagining the typically dignified Emerson producing something risqué or offensive. Hecht concludes the poem by revealing that Emerson's unprintable epithalamion was inspired by "a volume of Japanese prints." This line adds an exotic and artistic element to the poem, as Japanese prints, particularly those from the Edo period, are known for their beauty and often sensual content. The idea that Emerson, a symbol of American intellectualism, would be influenced by these prints to create a scandalous poem, adds to the comedic effect. Overall, "From the Grove Press" showcases Hecht's skillful use of form, his playful manipulation of language, and his ability to blend humor with literary allusion. The poem is a delightful piece that invites readers to see Emerson in a new and amusing light, while also appreciating the intricacies of the double-dactyl form.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEW ENGLAND, SPRINGTIME by NORMAN DUBIE ON LOVE: RALPH WALDO EMERSON by EDWARD HIRSCH HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 1. HIS SMILE by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 2. THE WART by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 3. THE SPIDER by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 4. ONE DRUNK ALLEGORY by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 5. MULTIPLICATION by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 6. WIND by ROBERT PENN WARREN HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 7. DOES THE WILD ROSE? by ROBERT PENN WARREN |
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