Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wallace Stevens’ "Street Songs: 3. Statuary" is a graceful and contemplative reflection on beauty, movement, and the power of art to captivate and inspire. Through the depiction of statues of "Young Dian and Apollo" and their interplay with the urban environment, Stevens explores themes of timelessness, joy, and the transformative potential of aesthetic experience. The poem uses repetition and lyrical rhythm to evoke both the stillness of the statues and the dynamic life they seem to exude.

The opening line, "The windy morn has set their feet to dancing," immediately animates the statues, suggesting that they are imbued with a life-like energy. The "windy morn" acts as a force of nature that metaphorically brings them to life, highlighting the tension between their physical stillness and their imagined vitality. The repetition of this line emphasizes the interplay between the natural world and the artifice of the statues, linking the external environment to their perceived motion.

The pairing of "Young Dian and Apollo" situates the poem within the realm of classical mythology, invoking the deities of the hunt and the arts. Their placement "on the curb" roots them in an urban setting, contrasting their divine origins with their earthly location. This juxtaposition creates a dialogue between the transcendent and the mundane, as the statues transform the ordinary pavement into a stage that "with their slender forms is glancing." The pavement itself is personified, reflecting the statues’ grace and luminosity.

The line "No clatter doth their gaiety disturb" underscores the statues’ serene and untouchable presence. Despite the noise and chaos of the urban environment, their jubilance remains undisturbed, suggesting a timeless and self-contained joy. This line positions the statues as a source of calm and beauty in the midst of the city’s bustle, offering a moment of respite and wonder.

Stevens notes that "No eyes are ever blind enough to shun them," emphasizing their universal appeal. The statues’ jubilance draws the gaze of all who pass by, provoking curiosity and admiration. The description of "Men wonder what their jubilance can be" suggests that the statues evoke more than aesthetic appreciation; they inspire a deeper contemplation of joy, vitality, and meaning. The statues’ ability to captivate and provoke thought elevates them from mere objects to symbols of artistic and existential resonance.

The poem concludes with the image of the passerby who "turns to look upon them" before continuing "with all his fancy free." This final line captures the transformative effect of encountering the statues, as their beauty and gaiety liberate the imagination. The phrase "fancy free" suggests a lightness and freedom of thought, as if the statues’ presence has momentarily lifted the burdens of the day. By engaging with the art, the observer is enriched, carrying forward a renewed sense of wonder and possibility.

Structurally, the poem’s repetition mirrors the rhythm of walking and looking, creating a musicality that complements the statues’ perceived movement. The alternating lines of description and reflection reinforce the interplay between observation and contemplation, allowing the reader to experience the statues both as physical forms and as symbols of joy and vitality.

"Street Songs: 3. Statuary" celebrates the enduring power of art to captivate, inspire, and transform. Through the figures of Dian and Apollo, Stevens explores the intersection of the timeless and the transient, the divine and the everyday. The poem’s lyrical beauty and philosophical depth invite readers to reflect on the moments of unexpected wonder that art and beauty can bring to daily life, reminding us of their capacity to elevate and enrich the human experience.

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