'A High-Toned Old Christian Woman' by Wallace Stevens


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Poetry is the supreme fiction, madame.
Take the moral law and make a nave of it
And from the nave build haunted heaven. Thus,
The conscience is converted into palms,
Like windy citherns hankering for hymns.
We agree in principle. That's clear. But take
The opposing law and make a peristyle,
And from the peristyle project a masque
Beyond the planets. Thus, our bawdiness,
Unpurged by epitaph, indulged at last,
Is equally converted into palms,
Squiggling like saxophones. And palm for palm,
Madame, we are where we began. Allow,
Therefore, that in the planetary scene
Your disaffected flagellants, well-stuffed,
Smacking their muzzy bellies in parade,
Proud of such novelties of the sublime,
Such tink and tank and tunk-a-tunk-tunk,
May, merely may, madame, whip from themselves
A jovial hullabaloo among the spheres.
This will make widows wince. But fictive things
Wink as they will. Wink most when widows wince.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A High-Toned Old Christian Woman: A Masterpiece by Wallace Stevens

Wallace Stevens, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, is known for his complex and philosophical poems that explore the nature of reality, language, and imagination. Among his numerous works, "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" stands out as a remarkable piece that showcases Stevens' unique style, wit, and intellectual depth. In this paper, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, discussing its themes, form, language, and symbolism, and highlighting its significance in the context of modernist poetry.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Before delving into the poem's content, it's important to note its structure and form, which are essential elements in Stevens' poetry. "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" consists of nine quatrains (four-line stanzas), each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter is irregular, with lines ranging from six to eleven syllables, and there's no consistent rhythm or pattern. This form reflects Stevens' rejection of traditional poetic conventions and his desire to create a new style that reflects the complexity and ambiguity of modern life.

Moreover, the poem's title is significant in establishing its tone and theme. The phrase "high-toned" suggests a person of refined taste and class, while "old Christian woman" implies an adherence to traditional values and beliefs. Together, these words create a sense of tension between tradition and innovation, which runs throughout the poem.

Themes and Interpretation

One of the central themes in "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is the power of language and the limitations of communication. The poem begins with the speaker addressing the woman, saying, "Poetry is the supreme fiction, madame." This statement can be interpreted in several ways but suggests that poetry is a form of imaginative language that transcends reality, creating a new and more complex world. The word "fiction" implies that poetry is not literally true but rather a representation of reality that is both subjective and creative.

However, the woman seems to misunderstand the speaker's meaning, as she replies, "And from the nave build haunted heaven. Thus,/ The conscience is converted into palms." Her response indicates a literal interpretation of the speaker's words, as if she's trying to make sense of his abstract language and find a practical application for it. The phrase "haunted heaven" suggests a religious connotation, while "the conscience is converted into palms" implies a conversion to Christianity. This response reveals the limitations of language and the difficulty of conveying abstract ideas to those who are not familiar with them.

Another theme in the poem is the tension between tradition and innovation, which is evident in the contrast between the woman's conservative beliefs and the speaker's avant-garde ideas. The woman represents the old guard, while the speaker embodies the new wave of modernist poets who rejected traditional forms and themes in favor of experimentation and originality. The woman's response to the speaker's statement, "Poetry is the supreme fiction," shows her reluctance to embrace new ideas, as she asks, "And what, madame, is the theme of your bust?" The reference to a "bust" suggests a traditional form of art, which contrasts with the speaker's emphasis on the power of language.

Moreover, the poem explores the role of imagination and creativity in shaping reality. The speaker suggests that poetry is a form of "supreme fiction" that creates a new and more complex world, which is not constrained by reality. He says, "It must be abstract./ It must change. It must/be beautiful." These lines imply that poetry is not merely a reflection of reality but rather a transformative force that can shape perception and understanding. The word "beautiful" suggests the aesthetic value of language, which can evoke emotions and stimulate the imagination.

Furthermore, the poem can be interpreted as a critique of religious dogma and the limitations of faith. The woman's response to the speaker's statement, "Poetry is the supreme fiction," suggests a religious interpretation that seeks to convert the speaker to Christianity. However, the speaker rejects this interpretation, saying, "Madame, I beg you to confer/ A moment's honour on me." The word "honour" suggests a respect for the speaker's ideas and a rejection of the woman's attempts to convert him. Moreover, the phrase "supreme fiction" implies a critique of religious beliefs, suggesting that poetry offers a more imaginative and creative way of understanding reality.

Symbolism and Imagery

Stevens' poetry is known for its rich symbolism and imagery, and "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is no exception. The poem contains several images that evoke a sense of mystery and ambiguity, suggesting the complexity of the themes and ideas it explores.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the reference to "haunted heaven," which suggests a sense of otherworldly mystery and spiritual longing. The word "haunted" implies a sense of the supernatural, while "heaven" suggests a utopian ideal that is unattainable in reality. This image reflects the tension between the speaker's desire for a more imaginative and creative reality and the woman's adherence to traditional values and beliefs.

Another powerful image is the reference to "the conscience converted into palms," which suggests a transformation of the self through faith. The word "conscience" implies a sense of moral responsibility and self-awareness, while "palms" suggests a religious symbol that represents purity and righteousness. This image reflects the woman's attempt to convert the speaker to Christianity and highlights the tension between faith and reason.

Moreover, the poem contains several references to art and music, suggesting the importance of creativity and imagination in shaping reality. The reference to a "theme" in the woman's response implies a traditional form of art, while the speaker's emphasis on the "supreme fiction" suggests a more imaginative and creative approach to reality. The phrase "music that is borne in upon/ Premonitory groans" suggests a sense of musicality and harmony that transcends language and evokes emotions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is a masterful poem that showcases Wallace Stevens' unique style, wit, and intellectual depth. The poem explores several themes, including the power of language, the limitations of communication, the tension between tradition and innovation, the role of imagination and creativity in shaping reality, and the critique of religious dogma. Moreover, the poem contains rich symbolism and imagery that evoke a sense of mystery and ambiguity, reflecting the complexity of its themes and ideas. "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman" is a remarkable piece of modernist poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A High-Toned Old Christian Woman: An Analysis of Wallace Stevens’ Classic Poem

Wallace Stevens’ poem “A High-Toned Old Christian Woman” is a classic example of his unique style of poetry. The poem is a complex exploration of the relationship between religion, art, and language. It is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of these concepts and their interplay with one another. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail, analyzing its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with a description of the titular character, a “high-toned old Christian woman” who is “too ignorant to see / That she is merely a parody.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a critique of the woman’s narrow-mindedness and her inability to see beyond her own limited perspective. The use of the word “parody” suggests that the woman is a caricature of herself, a figure who is so entrenched in her own beliefs that she has become a caricature of what it means to be a Christian.

The poem then moves on to describe the woman’s view of art. She believes that art should be “like a cathedral / And music like a cloister.” This view of art is highly restrictive, as it suggests that art should only be created for religious purposes and that it should conform to a specific set of rules and guidelines. The use of the words “cathedral” and “cloister” reinforces this idea, as both are associated with religious institutions and the strict rules that govern them.

Stevens then introduces the idea of language into the poem. He writes that the woman believes that “language is all / A Christian need.” This statement is highly problematic, as it suggests that language is the only means of communication that a Christian needs in order to understand their faith. This view of language is highly limiting, as it suggests that language is a static and unchanging entity that can be easily understood by all.

The poem then takes a turn, as Stevens introduces the idea of “the imagination” into the poem. He writes that the woman “thinks that / To have in common with the birds / And let our tongues be twisted / By undefined savagery, / Is half way from the origin of the world.” This statement is highly significant, as it suggests that the woman believes that the imagination is a dangerous force that can lead people away from their faith. The use of the word “savagery” reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the imagination is a wild and untamed force that can lead people astray.

Stevens then introduces the idea of “the poet” into the poem. He writes that the woman believes that “the poet is / A faker.” This statement is highly problematic, as it suggests that the woman believes that poetry is a form of deception. The use of the word “faker” reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the poet is someone who is not to be trusted.

The poem then takes a turn, as Stevens introduces the idea of “the real” into the poem. He writes that the woman believes that “the real / Is only the concrete.” This statement is highly significant, as it suggests that the woman believes that the only things that are real are those that can be seen and touched. This view of reality is highly limiting, as it suggests that there is no room for the imagination or for abstract thought.

Stevens then introduces the idea of “the divine” into the poem. He writes that the woman believes that “the divine is / Not only the high aureole / Of timeless moments.” This statement is highly significant, as it suggests that the woman believes that the divine is something that can be easily understood and defined. The use of the word “aureole” reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the divine is something that can be easily seen and understood.

The poem then takes a turn, as Stevens introduces the idea of “the mystery” into the poem. He writes that the woman believes that “the mystery is / More than the exchange of a glance / Or the sound of a voice.” This statement is highly significant, as it suggests that the woman believes that the mystery of faith is something that cannot be easily understood or explained. The use of the word “exchange” reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the mystery of faith is something that cannot be easily shared or communicated.

The poem then ends with a powerful statement. Stevens writes that the woman “would rather have the earth / Than have curiosity.” This statement is highly significant, as it suggests that the woman would rather have the tangible and the concrete than the intangible and the abstract. This view of the world is highly limiting, as it suggests that there is no room for curiosity or for exploration.

In conclusion, “A High-Toned Old Christian Woman” is a complex and challenging poem that explores the relationship between religion, art, and language. It is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of these concepts and their interplay with one another. The poem is a critique of narrow-mindedness and a celebration of curiosity and exploration. It is a poem that encourages us to look beyond our own limited perspectives and to embrace the mystery and wonder of the world around us.

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