Introduction
In Wallace Stevens’ poem “A High-Toned Old Christian Woman,” the speaker contemplates the nature of poetry, contrasting it with religious morality and the boundaries it imposes. Through vivid imagery, the poem explores the transformative power of poetry and its ability to break free from societal constraints.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins with the assertion that “Poetry is the supreme fiction, madame” (line 1). Here, the speaker presents poetry as a form of imaginative creation, divorced from the constraints of reality. He then goes on to elaborate on this idea, stating, “Take the moral law and make a nave of it / And from the nave build haunted heaven” (lines 2-3).
The use of religious imagery suggests that the speaker sees poetry as a means to transcend the limitations of conventional morality and construct a realm of heightened experience. This idea is further reinforced through the comparison of conscience being converted into “palms, / Like windy citherns hankering for hymns” (lines 5-6). The word choice of “windy” implies an ethereal, intangible quality, while “hankering for hymns” evokes a yearning for spiritual connection.
Furthermore, the speaker contrasts the moral law with the opposing law and states, “And from the peristyle project a masque / Beyond the planets” (lines 8-9). Here, the peristyle, a colonnaded walkway in architecture, symbolizes structure and order. By projecting a masque, or a mask, beyond the planets, the speaker emphasizes the ability of poetry to transcend even the physical boundaries of the universe. This is reinforced in the following lines, where the bawdiness, or risqué humor, of life is converted into “palms, / Squiggling like saxophones” (lines 12-13). The comparison of palms to saxophones suggests a lively, musical quality, emphasizing the transformative power of poetry.
Finally, the poem concludes with the assertion that the flagellants, or self-inflicting penitents, may “whip from themselves / A jovial hullabaloo among the spheres” (lines 18-19). This line suggests that through the liberating power of poetry, individuals can create a sense of joy and celebration even within the celestial spheres. The speaker acknowledges that this may make widows wince, but adds that fictive things, such as poetry, often wink when widows wince. This can be interpreted as a suggestion that poetry provokes discomfort and challenges societal norms, but it continues unabated, unapologetic, and even defiant in its imaginative power.
Conclusion
Ultimately, “A High-Toned Old Christian Woman” delves into poetry’s extraordinary capacity to transcend conventional notions of morality, underscoring its transformative power. By skillfully employing striking imagery and thought-provoking contrasts, the speaker proffers poetry as a portal to a realm that heightens our existence, liberating us from the confines of societal and religious expectations. By shining a light on the boundless power of imagination, the poem triumphantly celebrates the limitless freedom that poetry grants, enabling us to navigate and shatter the confines of our perceived reality audaciously.
Reference
Stevens, W. (1923). A high-toned old Christian woman.