While I was studying to Mr Ezra Pound, It captured
my attention the complexity of his poem "Papyrus"; the first time I
read it, I did not get the poem: it has only four words, nevertheless it has
many "features" which makes it unique and when you read it once, you
probably do not understand them.
The complexity of a poem is not a matter of extension; in only a few words you can create an outstanding poem.
The complexity of a poem is not a matter of extension; in only a few words you can create an outstanding poem.
First of all, I believe that Mr Pound gives
relevance to how you structure a poem; let’s start with the title: the poem is
called "Papyrus" which makes reference to an ancient manuscript used centuries ago, for that reason, most of
the papyri founded are incomplete just like this poem seems to be. The
structure of the poem is considerably
similar to a real papyrus destroyed by the pass of time, so what we got are
only pieces of it.
Secondly, it can be considered a Haiku, not for its
syllabic formation but for its intention: 1) It talks about nature (spring), 2)
An specific event (it is "too long") and 3) it contrasts 2 concepts
(spring and Gongula).
And what about Gongula? I assumed it as the name of
a woman, which it is mentioned in 2 Sappho's poem. Sappho is a Greek poetess of
the 600 B.C, so Mr Pound is winking an eye at the past, which is classic of
modernism, where artists take something of the past and turn it into something
new.
To sum up, I think that it is considerably complex
to find out only one meaning to this poem, however in my opinion that is the
intention of Ezra Pound, to make us think and to create our own significance at
the moment of reading this poem, based on the historical/cultural content of it
and its form.
Also, I believe it is remarkable how he combines 2
cultures: West and East / Greece and Japan.
So, do you give a particular meaning to this poem?
Do you think that there is only one interpretation to comprehend this poem?
Mario Espinoza
Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderEliminarFrom my point of view I found this poem rather fascinating, due to its simplicity considering how short it is, but at the same time how complex can be due to the different meanings that this poems could have.
ResponderEliminarThe meaning that I give to this poem is that, in fact, Gongula is the name of a woman, a very special one for the author. The words "spring" and "too long" makes think that an important event happened in the life of the author a long time ago, an event related with Gongula that made the author really happy, probably one of the most special moments of his life, but I sense that it is a happiness that doesn't exist anymore. I believe that this poem wants to transmit the sadness that the author is feeling right now, the way that this poem is written makes me believe that something happened from that particular spring until now. Is almost like if Gongula, the woman who was very special for the author, has disappeared completely of his life and the author is remembering with sadness that special during a spring a long time ago.
But, as you said, this poem could have more than just one meaning, it could even be a meaning completely different from the one I wrote, I don't know if that was the intention of Ezra Pound, but it is undoubtedly a great poem.
As long as I concerned the poem papyrus invites us to make our own interpretation of each line,because the poem itself does not carry meaning, is the reader who give a real significance to the poem.
ResponderEliminarSo the real impact of Papyrus is that you can take the poem make it yours, and give it your own sence to it.