'Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom' by Louise Bogan


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Men loved wholly beyond wisdom
Have the staff without the banner.
Like a fire in a dry thicket
Rising within women's eyes
Is the love men must return.
Heart, so subtle now, and trembling,
What a marvel to be wise.,
To love never in this manner!
To be quiet in the fern
Like a thing gone dead and still,
Listening to the prisoned cricket
Shake its terrible dissembling
Music in the granite hill.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom: An In-Depth Analysis

Louise Bogan was an American poet, essayist, literary critic, and editor who is widely known for her contribution to modernist poetry. Her poem, "Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom," published in 1923, is an example of her unique style and themes. This piece of literature is a profound exploration of the complexities of love and desire, and the way they impact human relationships. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used by Bogan to present her message.

Themes

The themes in "Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom" revolve around the nature of love and the human experience. The poem explores the intricacies of love, emphasizing its compelling force and its ability to drive people to their limits. The poem suggests that love is not rational and can lead to irrational behavior, often blinding people to reality. The intensity of love is so powerful that it can even make people lose their sense of self.

The poem also delves into the theme of human mortality, highlighting the fact that love is the driving force behind our lives. The poem suggests that love is the reason why people exist and that it is the only thing that can truly give meaning to life. Bogan presents love as a force that is beyond human control, something that arises spontaneously and is often inexplicable.

Structure

The structure of "Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom" is free verse, with no specific meter or rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, with the first and third stanzas consisting of eight lines each while the second and fourth stanzas have six lines each.

The first stanza begins with a powerful statement, "Men loved wholly beyond wisdom, have the staff/Without the eye that guides the staff along," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The third stanza also begins with a strong statement, "The soul is born old but grows young," which emphasizes the fact that love is eternal and that it can transform people in profound ways.

The poem's structure is unique in that it is not limited by traditional poetic rules. This freedom of structure allows the poet to convey her message in a more fluid and natural way.

Literary Devices

Bogan employs various literary devices in "Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom" to convey her message effectively. One of the most notable devices is the use of figurative language, such as metaphors and similes. For example, in the third stanza, she compares the soul to a piece of elastic, emphasizing its ability to stretch beyond its limits.

The poet also uses imagery to evoke powerful emotions in her readers. In the second stanza, for instance, the imagery of a "wild bird with a broken wing" is used to represent the fragility of the human spirit. This image creates a sense of vulnerability and helplessness, which is amplified by the theme of love and its ability to transform even the most broken of spirits.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "Men loved wholly beyond wisdom" is repeated twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the central idea of the poem. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm, adding to the poem's overall flow and structure.

Interpretation

"Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom" is a poem that explores the complexities of love and its impact on human relationships. The poem suggests that love is a force that is beyond human control, something that arises spontaneously and is often inexplicable. It highlights the fact that love can lead to irrational behavior, often blinding people to reality.

At the same time, the poem suggests that love is the reason why people exist and that it is the only thing that can truly give meaning to life. Love is presented as a force that is eternal and transformative, capable of transcending human limitations.

In conclusion, "Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom" is a profound exploration of the human experience and the complexities of love. Bogan's use of figurative language, imagery, and repetition creates a powerful message that resonates with readers even today. The poem encourages us to embrace the transformative power of love and to appreciate the mysteries of the human heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom: An Analysis

Louise Bogan's Poetry Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to evoke strong emotions in the hearts of men. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry men loved wholly beyond wisdom." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the idea that poetry is something that men love with all their hearts, even if it defies reason or logic. The use of the word "wholly" emphasizes the intensity of this love and suggests that it is all-encompassing.

The next line, "And a woman who held a babe against her bosom," introduces the image of a mother holding her child. This image is significant because it represents the nurturing and protective nature of love. The fact that the woman is holding her child against her bosom suggests that she is providing comfort and security to the child, just as love provides comfort and security to those who experience it.

The poem then moves on to describe the power of poetry to evoke strong emotions in men. The line, "Small-breasted, laughing in the dark eyes, and arms / Whose softness surged into the utter torture of passion," uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of the emotions that poetry can evoke. The use of the word "small-breasted" suggests youth and innocence, while the phrase "laughing in the dark eyes" implies a sense of playfulness and joy. The image of soft arms that surge into the "utter torture of passion" suggests that the emotions evoked by poetry can be both pleasurable and painful.

The poem then goes on to describe the effect that poetry has on men. The line, "The grief of man was sheathed in enduring language," suggests that poetry has the power to soothe the pain and sadness that men experience. The use of the word "sheathed" implies that poetry can protect men from the harsh realities of life and provide them with a sense of comfort and solace.

The next line, "She was the mistress of their revels," suggests that poetry is something that men turn to in times of celebration and joy. The use of the word "mistress" implies that poetry is something that men are deeply passionate about and that they turn to it with a sense of reverence and devotion.

The poem then moves on to describe the beauty of poetry. The line, "Her eyes were sad and lovely with the forgotten sadness / Of brooding things," uses imagery to convey the beauty and depth of poetry. The use of the word "lovely" suggests that poetry is something that is aesthetically pleasing, while the phrase "forgotten sadness / Of brooding things" implies that poetry has the power to evoke emotions that are often overlooked or forgotten.

The final lines of the poem, "Yet there was always wine, and always the loved woman / And always the hours of revel," suggest that even though poetry can evoke strong emotions and provide comfort and solace, there is always room for celebration and joy. The use of the word "always" implies that these things are constants in life and that they are always present, even in the midst of sadness and pain.

In conclusion, Poetry Men Loved Wholly Beyond Wisdom is a powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. Through vivid imagery and language, Louise Bogan conveys the intensity of the emotions that poetry can evoke and the comfort and solace that it can provide. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the power of poetry to capture and convey its essence.

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