Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wallace Stevens? "Of the Manner of Addressing Clouds" examines the profound yet elusive nature of language, thought, and their intersections with the natural and metaphysical world. Through a richly layered meditation, the poem explores how language and its rituals—like the clouds—can transcend the mundane while simultaneously reflecting it.

The opening image of "gloomy grammarians in golden gowns" immediately sets a paradoxical tone, juxtaposing the somber nature of grammarians with the splendor of their attire. These figures represent the weighty, meticulous work of language—its rules, structures, and conventions—wrapped in a guise of grandeur. The phrase "mortal rendezvous" anchors the scene in human finitude, suggesting that even the loftiest pursuits of speech are grounded in the inevitability of death. Yet, the grammarians’ task is not without beauty, as they "elicit the still sustaining pomps / Of speech." Stevens portrays speech as something ceremonious and profound, akin to "music so profound / They seem an exaltation without sound." This description underscores the ineffable quality of language, which, like music, evokes emotions and ideas that defy literal articulation.

The poem then introduces "funest philosophers and ponderers," figures whose solemn meditations further deepen the exploration of language’s role. Their "evocations are the speech of clouds," a metaphor that suggests the transient, mutable, and often intangible nature of human expression. Clouds, ever-shifting and amorphous, mirror the fluidity of language and its capacity to evoke vast and varied meanings. The processionals of these clouds evoke a sense of ritual and continuity, as they return "in the casual evocations of [their] tread." This duality—ritualized yet casual—reflects how language operates both as a structured system and as an organic, evolving practice.

Stevens’ description of the seasons as "stale" yet "mysterious" further highlights the tension between the ordinary and the sublime. While the seasons are cyclical and predictable, they remain enigmatic in their deeper implications, much like language itself. The clouds’ "music of meet resignation" suggests a quiet acceptance of these dualities—of language’s capacity to both illuminate and obscure, to both connect and isolate.

The poem’s closing lines shift to a contemplative, almost cautionary tone. Stevens addresses the clouds directly, urging them to magnify their "still sustaining pomps" if they are to transcend their "drifting waste." This plea can be read as a call to elevate the rituals of language and thought, to imbue them with meaning that rises above their ephemeral nature. Without this effort, the clouds—and by extension, human expression—risk being accompanied only by the "mute bare splendors of the sun and moon." These celestial bodies, while majestic, offer a silent and indifferent beauty that contrasts sharply with the vibrancy and intentionality of human language.

Ultimately, "Of the Manner of Addressing Clouds" is a meditation on the interplay between human creativity and the natural world. Stevens celebrates language’s ability to mirror the complexity and grandeur of nature, even as he acknowledges its limitations. The poem invites readers to reflect on how they use language to make sense of their world, urging them to approach it not merely as a tool but as a form of art, capable of profound exaltation. By likening speech to clouds, Stevens captures its fleeting yet enduring power, reminding us of its role in shaping both our inner and outer realities.

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