Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wallace Stevens? "Mountains Covered with Cats" juxtaposes a rich, almost overwhelming catalog of the external world with a more introspective consideration of internal states, particularly those of powerlessness and self-perception. Through its contrasting imagery and philosophical inquiry, the poem meditates on the tension between the grandeur of external phenomena and the fragility of human identity and imagination.

The poem begins with an expansive depiction of the world’s diversity and repetition: “The sea full of fishes in shoals,” “the woods that let / One seed alone grow wild,” and “the railway-stops / In Russia at which the same statue of Stalin greets / The same railway passenger.” This catalog reflects the vastness and variety of existence, while also hinting at the monotonous and mechanical aspects of life, such as the repetitive presence of Stalin?s statue. The image of “the ancient tree / In the center of its cones” evokes a sense of timelessness and natural cycles, while “the resplendent flights / Of red facsimiles through related trees” introduces a note of artificiality or imitation, contrasting nature’s organic beauty with human constructs.

These images are rich with symbolic potential, yet Stevens quickly shifts focus, declaring that “The catalogue is too commodious.” This statement suggests a dissatisfaction with merely enumerating the world’s phenomena. The overwhelming vastness of external reality, while dazzling, does not fully address the complexities of the inner life or the deeper questions of identity and existence.

The poem then turns inward, urging us to “Regard the invalid personality / Instead.” This invalid personality is “outcast, without the will to power / And impotent,” presenting a stark contrast to the power and grandeur of the external world. The metaphor of imagination seeking “to propagate the imagination” underscores the self-referential and often fruitless nature of introspection. Just as the invalid lacks physical strength, the imagination here seems caught in a loop, struggling to create meaning or extend beyond itself.

Stevens introduces a striking comparison with “War’s miracle begetting that of peace.” This paradox highlights the cyclical nature of conflict and resolution, suggesting that even miraculous outcomes are often born from dire circumstances. Similarly, the invalid personality’s internal struggles might be viewed as a microcosm of broader human conflicts—an individual grappling with the paradoxes of existence.

The invocation of Freud adds another layer to the poem’s exploration of the inner self. Described as possessing “the microscope of potency,” Freud represents a figure who scrutinizes the minutiae of human thought and behavior, dissecting the complexities of the psyche. Yet the phrase “By fortune, his gray ghost may meditate” introduces a spectral quality, suggesting that even Freud’s insights are limited by mortality and the constraints of human understanding.

The concluding lines reflect on the dead, suggesting that, stripped of their flesh, they might see their lives with a clarity unavailable to them in life: “How truly they had not been what they were.” This haunting observation speaks to the illusions and self-deceptions that define much of human existence. It suggests that the external phenomena cataloged earlier, though vivid and tangible, may be less significant than the inner truths we fail to perceive about ourselves.

Structurally, the poem’s free verse mirrors its thematic exploration of complexity and contradiction. The lack of a rigid structure allows Stevens to move fluidly between external and internal realms, reflecting the interplay between the two. The imagery shifts from the expansive and impersonal to the intimate and introspective, creating a dynamic tension that invites the reader to consider both the grandeur of the world and the frailty of individual perception.

"Mountains Covered with Cats" is a meditation on the dissonance between the external world’s overwhelming variety and the internal struggles of human identity. Stevens contrasts the grandeur and repetition of nature and human constructs with the fragility and impotence of the individual psyche. Through its rich imagery and philosophical depth, the poem invites reflection on the limits of imagination and the elusive nature of self-understanding, ultimately affirming the complexity and paradoxes of human existence.

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