Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "The Dog of Art" personifies art through the imagery of a unique, fantastical dog. This creature, with its daisies for eyes and its vibrant, expressive barks, becomes a metaphor for the essence of artistic creation and expression. Through vivid and imaginative language, Levertov explores themes of inner vision, the power of artistic voice, and the quiet, introspective nature of true creativity.

The poem begins with a striking and whimsical image: "That dog with daisies for eyes / who flashes forth / flame of his very self at every bark / is the Dog of Art." The daisies for eyes suggest a softness and natural beauty, yet the dog’s bark, which releases "flame of his very self," indicates a powerful and dynamic inner life. This duality reflects the nature of art itself—gentle and aesthetically pleasing on the surface, but capable of profound and intense expression.

Levertov continues to describe the dog’s unique qualities: "Worked in wool, his blind eyes / look inward to caverns and jewels / which they see perfectly." The dog, created from wool, a material associated with warmth and comfort, has "blind eyes" that are not impaired but instead focus inwardly. These eyes "see perfectly" into "caverns and jewels," symbolizing the deep, hidden treasures within the artist’s imagination. This inner vision is contrasted with external sight, suggesting that true artistic perception comes from within.

The poem then emphasizes the auditory aspect of the dog’s expression: "and his voice / measures forth the treasure / in music sharp and loud, / sharp and bright, / bright flaming barks." The voice of the Dog of Art is described as measuring out the inner treasures in a vivid and compelling manner. The repetition of "sharp" and "bright" along with the imagery of "flaming barks" conveys the intensity and clarity of artistic expression. The "music" of the dog’s voice is both powerful and illuminating, capturing the essence of the creative process.

Levertov contrasts this with a softer tone: "and growling smoky soft, the Dog / of Art turns to the world / the quietness of his eyes." Here, the dog’s expression includes a "growling smoky soft" aspect, suggesting a more subdued, introspective form of creativity. The "quietness of his eyes" turned to the world signifies the reflective, serene side of the artist, who, after the bursts of intense expression, returns to a state of contemplative calm.

"The Dog of Art" by Denise Levertov encapsulates the multifaceted nature of artistic expression through the imaginative portrayal of a dog that embodies the spirit of creativity. The poem explores the contrast between the dynamic, fiery outbursts of artistic voice and the quiet, inward-focused vision that perceives deep, hidden truths. Through her rich and evocative language, Levertov celebrates the profound and often paradoxical qualities of art, highlighting the interplay between inner vision and outward expression, and the transformative power of creativity.

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