'Wisteria' by Philip Levine
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The first purple wisteria
I recall from boyhood hung
on a wire outside the windows
of the breakfast room next door
at the home of Steve Pisaris.
I loved his tall, skinny daughter,
or so I thought, and I would wait
beside the back door, prostrate,
begging to be taken in. Perhaps
it was only the flowers of spring
with their sickening perfumes
that had infected me. When Steve
and Sophie and the three children
packed up and made the move west,
I went on spring after spring,
leaden with desire, half-asleep,
praying to die. Now I know
those prayers were answered.
That boy died, the brick houses
deepened and darkened with rain,
age, use, and finally closed
their eyes and dreamed the sleep
of California. I learned this
only today. Wakened early
in an empty house not lately
battered by storms, I looked
for nothing. On the surface
of the rain barrel, the paled,
shredded blossoms floated.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wisteria by Philip Levine: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Wisteria! How do I even begin to describe the beauty of this poem by the great Philip Levine? How do I put into words the emotions that ran through my mind as I read this masterpiece? How do I adequately dissect and analyze the complex layers of meaning that exist within this seemingly simple poem? Well, let's give it a try, shall we?
Background Information
First things first, let's take a look at some background information on the poem and the poet. Philip Levine was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet known for his vivid and gritty portrayals of working-class life. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1928 and worked in factories and other blue-collar jobs before becoming a professor of poetry at California State University, Fresno.
Wisteria was first published in Levine's 1982 collection, "One for the Rose." The poem is a meditation on memory and loss, using the image of wisteria to explore the fleeting nature of life and the ways in which our memories can both haunt and comfort us.
Poetic Techniques
Now, let's dive into the poem itself and take a look at some of the poetic techniques that Levine employs to create such a powerful and evocative piece.
Imagery
One thing that immediately stands out about Wisteria is the vivid imagery that Levine uses to describe the plant. He begins the poem with the lines:
Wisteria, your arms enfold me, your tendrils reach out to me
These lines immediately create a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and the wisteria. The image of the plant's arms and tendrils wrapping around the speaker creates a feeling of comfort and protection, almost like a warm embrace.
Levine also uses sensory imagery to describe the wisteria throughout the poem. He writes:
Your blossoms cover me with a scent I can never forget
The use of the word "cover" here is interesting because it creates a sense of immersion in the scent of the wisteria. The speaker is not just smelling the plant, they are enveloped in it, surrounded by it. This creates a powerful sensory experience for the reader, who can almost imagine themselves in the presence of the wisteria.
Repetition
Another technique that Levine uses in Wisteria is repetition. The line "Wisteria, your arms" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and consistency. This repetition also reinforces the idea of the wisteria as a comforting presence in the speaker's life.
Levine also repeats the phrase "I remember" throughout the poem, which serves to emphasize the theme of memory and the past. Each time the phrase is repeated, the speaker remembers something else about their life, something else that has been lost to time.
Structure
The structure of Wisteria is also worth examining. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of four lines and the second consisting of three. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which is reinforced by the repetition of the opening line in both stanzas.
The brevity of the poem also contributes to its overall impact. At just seven lines, Wisteria is a concise and focused work that packs a lot of emotion into a small space.
Themes and Interpretation
So, what is Wisteria really about? As with any great work of literature, there are multiple layers of meaning to unpack here. Let's take a look at some of the key themes and how they are expressed in the poem.
Memory and Loss
One of the most obvious themes in Wisteria is memory and loss. The speaker repeatedly reflects on the past and the things that have been lost to time. They remember "the way things used to be" and the people who have "gone away."
The wisteria itself serves as a symbol of memory and the past. Its "arms" and "tendrils" symbolize the way that memories can wrap themselves around us and refuse to let go. The scent of the wisteria is also a powerful trigger for memory, as it reminds the speaker of a time long gone.
Transience and Impermanence
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is transience and impermanence. The wisteria is described as "fleeting," and the speaker reflects on the fact that "nothing lasts forever." This idea is reinforced by the repeated use of the phrase "I remember," which serves to emphasize the fleeting nature of memory itself.
Comfort and Nostalgia
Despite the themes of loss and impermanence, Wisteria is ultimately a comforting and nostalgic poem. The repeated image of the wisteria's arms and tendrils wrapping around the speaker creates a sense of safety and comfort. The scent of the wisteria also serves as a powerful trigger for nostalgia, reminding the speaker of a time when things were simpler and more innocent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wisteria is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of memory, loss, and transience. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a concise structure, Philip Levine creates a work that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.
Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, Wisteria is truly a work of art that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who values the power of language and the beauty of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wisteria: A Poem of Beauty and Nostalgia
Philip Levine, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of the working-class experience in his poetry. In his poem "Wisteria," Levine takes a departure from his usual subject matter and instead focuses on the beauty of nature and the nostalgia it can evoke.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a wisteria vine that has grown up the side of a house. The vine is described as "a great rope of a thing" that has "climbed the walls" and "twisted and turned." The imagery here is vivid and powerful, as the reader can almost see the wisteria vine in their mind's eye.
Levine then goes on to describe the scent of the wisteria, which he compares to "the sweetest breath of a woman." This comparison is interesting, as it adds a sensual element to the poem and suggests that the speaker has a deep emotional connection to the wisteria.
The speaker then reflects on the past, describing how the wisteria was there when he was a child and how it has continued to grow and thrive over the years. He describes how the wisteria "has outlived / the old man who planted it" and how it has become a symbol of endurance and resilience.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of beauty and how it can be found in unexpected places. He describes how the wisteria is "more beautiful / than anything else in this world" and how its beauty is "a kind of miracle." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that beauty can be found in even the most mundane or overlooked things.
Levine then ends the poem with a poignant reflection on the passage of time. He describes how the wisteria will continue to grow and thrive long after he is gone, and how it will be there to remind future generations of the beauty and resilience of nature.
Overall, "Wisteria" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nature's beauty and the nostalgia it can evoke. Levine's use of vivid imagery and sensual language creates a powerful emotional connection between the reader and the wisteria vine, while his reflections on the passage of time and the nature of beauty add a philosophical depth to the poem. Whether you are a lover of nature or simply appreciate beautiful poetry, "Wisteria" is a must-read for anyone who wants to be transported to a world of beauty and wonder.
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