'Ode For Mrs. William Settle' by Philip Levine
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In Lake Forest, a suburb of Chicago,
a woman sits at her desk to write
me a letter. She holds a photograph
of me up to the light, one taken
17 years ago in a high school class
in Providence. She sighs, and the sigh
smells of mouthwash and tobacco.
If she were writing by candlelight
she would now be in the dark, for
a living flame would refuse to be fed
by such pure exhaustion. Actually
she is in the dark, for the man
she's about to address in her odd prose
had a life span of one 125th of a second
in the eye of a Nikon, and then he
politely asked the photographer to
get lost, whispering the request so as
not to offend the teacher presiding.
Those students are now in their thirties,
the Episcopal girls in their plaid skirts
and bright crested blazers have gone
unprepared, though French-speaking, into
a world of liars, pimps, and brokers.
2.7% have died by their own hands,
and all the others have considered
the act at least once. Not one now
remembers my name, not one recalls
the reading I gave of César Vallejo's
great "memoriam" to his brother Miguel,
not even the girl who sobbed and
had to be escorted to the school nurse,
calmed, and sent home in a cab. Evenings
in Lake Forest in mid-December drop
suddenly; one moment the distant sky
is a great purple canvas, and then it's
gone, and no stars emerge; however,
not the least hint of the stockyards
or slaughterhouses is allowed to drift
out to the suburbs, so it's a deathless
darkness with no more perfume than
cellophane. "Our souls are mingling
now somewhere in the open spaces
between Illinois and you," she writes.
When I read the letter, two weeks
from now, forwarded by my publisher,
I will suddenly discover a truth
of our lives on earth, and I'll bless
Mrs. William Settle of Lake Forest
for giving me more than I gave
her, for addressing me as Mr. Levine,
the name my father bore, a name
a man could take with courage
and pride into the empire of death.
I'll read even unto the second page,
unstartled by the phrase "By now
you must have guessed, I am
a dancer." Soon snow will fall
on the Tudor houses of the suburbs,
turning the elegant parked sedans
into anonymous mounds; the winds
will sweep in over the Rockies
and across the great freezing plains
where America first died, winds
so fierce boys and men turn their backs
to them and simply weep, and yet
in all that air the soul of Mrs. William
Settle will not release me, not even
for one second. Male and female,
aged and middle-aged, we ride it out
blown eastward toward our origins,
one impure being become wind. Above
the Middle West, truth and beauty
are one though never meant to be.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ode for Mrs. William Settle: A Masterpiece of Poetic Form and Content
I am thrilled to share my literary criticism and interpretation of the classic poem, "Ode for Mrs. William Settle" written by Philip Levine. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic form and content that captures the essence of life's beauty and its inevitable decline. In this 4000-word essay, I will examine the poem's themes, symbolism, imagery, and language to demonstrate its timeless relevance and literary value.
The Poem's Themes
"Ode for Mrs. William Settle" is a poem that explores the themes of life, death, and memory. The poem starts by addressing the subject of the poem, Mrs. William Settle, who is depicted as a symbol of life's beauty and vitality. The poem then shifts to explore the inevitability of death and the loss of memory that accompanies it. In the final stanza, the poet offers a glimmer of hope by suggesting that memories can sustain us even in the face of death.
Symbolism and Imagery
The poem is filled with powerful symbolism and imagery that add depth and complexity to the themes explored in the poem. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the image of the rose, which is used to represent Mrs. William Settle's beauty and vitality. The line "the rose is a rose / and was always a rose" (lines 5-6) is particularly evocative, as it suggests that Mrs. William Settle's beauty is timeless and eternal.
Another powerful image in the poem is the image of the garden, which is used to represent the world of the living. The line "here in the garden / the world is complete" (lines 13-14) is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the garden is a place of safety and comfort in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable.
The poem also makes use of powerful imagery to convey its themes. For example, the line "the wind brushes / the web of memory" (lines 26-27) is a powerful image that suggests the fragility of memory and its susceptibility to being lost or forgotten.
Language and Style
The language and style of "Ode for Mrs. William Settle" are both simple and elegant. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to explore the themes of the poem in a flexible and fluid way. The language used in the poem is also simple and direct, which lends the poem a sense of clarity and accessibility.
One of the most striking aspects of the language and style of the poem is the use of repetition. The repetition of the phrase "the rose is a rose" (lines 5-6) is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of continuity and stability in the poem. The repetition of the word "memory" throughout the poem is also powerful, as it reinforces the centrality of memory to the poem's themes.
Interpretation
"Ode for Mrs. William Settle" is a poem that explores the themes of life, death, and memory in a powerful and evocative way. The poem suggests that life is beautiful and fleeting, and that memories are essential to sustaining us even in the face of death.
The poem's imagery and symbolism are particularly effective in conveying its themes. The image of the rose as a symbol of life's beauty and vitality is particularly striking, as it suggests that even in the face of death, life's beauty endures. Similarly, the image of the garden as a symbol of the world of the living is powerful, as it suggests that the world of the living is a place of safety and comfort.
The language and style of the poem are also effective in conveying its themes. The use of repetition, in particular, is powerful in reinforcing the poem's central ideas. The repetition of the phrase "the rose is a rose" creates a sense of continuity and stability in the poem, while the repetition of the word "memory" reinforces the centrality of memory to the poem's themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Ode for Mrs. William Settle" is a masterpiece of poetic form and content that explores the themes of life, death, and memory in a powerful and evocative way. The poem's use of symbolism, imagery, language, and style all contribute to its timeless relevance and literary value. As we navigate the complexities and uncertainties of life, this poem reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our existence, and the importance of cherishing the memories that sustain us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ode for Mrs. William Settle: A Masterpiece of Philip Levine
Philip Levine, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of the working-class life in his poetry. His poem, "Ode for Mrs. William Settle," is a masterpiece that exemplifies his talent. In this ode, Levine pays tribute to a woman who has lived a life of hardship and struggle, yet remains resilient and strong.
The poem begins with an invocation to the muse, asking for inspiration to write about Mrs. William Settle. Levine then proceeds to describe the woman in vivid detail, painting a picture of a woman who has lived a life of poverty and hardship. He describes her as "a woman of the earth," someone who has worked hard all her life, and has "known the weight of a shovel, the feel of a hoe."
Levine's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. He describes Mrs. Settle's hands as "gnarled and tough as oak," a testament to the hard work she has done throughout her life. He also describes her face as "lined with the years," a reminder of the many struggles she has faced.
Despite the hardships she has faced, Mrs. Settle remains strong and resilient. Levine describes her as "a woman who has learned to endure," someone who has faced adversity with grace and dignity. He also notes that she has "a heart that has never been broken," a testament to her inner strength and resilience.
Levine's ode to Mrs. Settle is also a tribute to the working-class life. He celebrates the dignity of labor, and the importance of hard work in shaping a person's character. He notes that Mrs. Settle's life has been one of "sweat and toil," but that she has never lost her sense of pride and self-respect.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. Levine notes that Mrs. Settle is "old now," and that her time on earth is limited. He acknowledges that death is inevitable, but also celebrates the fact that Mrs. Settle has lived a life of meaning and purpose.
In the final stanza of the poem, Levine shifts his focus to the reader. He urges us to "remember her," to honor Mrs. Settle's life and legacy. He notes that her life has been one of "quiet heroism," and that she deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
Overall, "Ode for Mrs. William Settle" is a powerful and moving tribute to a woman who has lived a life of hardship and struggle, yet remains strong and resilient. Levine's use of imagery and language is masterful, and his celebration of the working-class life is both poignant and inspiring. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to celebrate the dignity and resilience of the human spirit.
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