'Silence' by Marianne Moore
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My father used to say,
"Superior people never make long visits,
have to be shown Longfellow's grave
nor the glass flowers at Harvard.
Self reliant like the cat --
that takes its prey to privacy,
the mouse's limp tail hanging like a shoelace from its mouth --
they sometimes enjoy solitude,
and can be robbed of speech
by speech which has delighted them.
The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence;
not in silence, but restraint."
Nor was he insincere in saying, "Make my house your inn."
Inns are not residences.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Silence: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Contradiction
Introduction
Silence is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that has puzzled readers and critics for decades. Written by Marianne Moore, one of the most innovative and influential poets of the 20th century, Silence is a complex and enigmatic poem that defies easy interpretation. At first glance, it seems to be a celebration of silence as a positive force in our lives, but on closer inspection, it reveals a darker side, full of ambiguity and contradiction.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the multiple layers of meaning in Silence, and we will argue that the poem is not just a celebration of silence but a critique of modern society and its obsession with noise and communication. We will examine the themes, imagery, language, and structure of the poem, focusing on the ways in which Moore uses them to create a sense of ambiguity and complexity.
Themes
At its core, Silence is a poem about the power and importance of silence in our lives. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Moore celebrates the beauty and purity of silence:
My father used to say,
"Superior people never make long visits,
have to be shown Longfellow's grave
or the glass flowers at Harvard.
Self-reliant like the cat –
that takes its prey to privacy,
the mouse's limp tail hanging like a shoelace from its mouth –
they sometimes enjoy solitude,
and can be robbed of speech
by speech which has delighted them.
The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence;
not in silence, but restraint."
The speaker's father is presented as a wise and intelligent man who values solitude and silence. He believes that superior people are self-reliant, like cats, and do not need to be entertained by others. They can enjoy their own company and the silence that surrounds them. The image of the cat taking its prey to privacy is particularly striking, as it suggests that silence is a place of safety and security, where one can be alone with one's thoughts.
The idea that "the deepest feeling always shows itself in silence" is also significant, as it suggests that silence is not just a lack of noise but a way of expressing emotions and ideas that cannot be put into words. This idea is developed further in the second stanza, where Moore contrasts the noise and confusion of modern life with the silence of nature:
Nor can they be understood,
for language has no meaning for them.
Being spoken to, they can not speak again;
but listen merely,
as one listens to the wind in the trees,
or as one listens to the rain.
Here, the speaker suggests that language is inadequate to express the deepest feelings and emotions. Superior people, like nature, do not need words to communicate. They listen to the sounds of the world around them, whether it is the wind in the trees or the rain. By doing so, they are able to connect with something deeper and more meaningful than the superficial chatter of human communication.
However, as we will see, Moore's celebration of silence is not uncomplicated. The poem is full of contradictions and ambiguities that complicate its message and raise questions about the role of silence in our lives.
Imagery
Moore's use of imagery is one of the most striking features of Silence. She uses a wide range of images, from the natural world to the human world, to create a sense of contrast and tension between different ways of being.
In the first stanza, for example, the image of the cat and the mouse creates a sense of violence and aggression that contrasts with the peacefulness of silence. The image of the mouse's limp tail hanging like a shoelace from its mouth is particularly vivid, as it suggests that the cat has killed its prey and is now enjoying the silence that follows.
The second stanza is full of images of nature that reinforce the idea that silence is a natural state of being. The wind in the trees and the rain are presented as natural forms of communication that do not require words. The image of the wind in the trees is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even the natural world has a voice that can be heard if we listen carefully enough.
However, the third stanza complicates this message by introducing images of human communication that are both beautiful and oppressive:
The deepest communication is also the shortest,
neither publication nor abridgment,
neither reproduction nor rearrangement.
And that which is not communicated is the least;
for which reason, I beg you to pardon me
for communicating so little.
Here, the speaker suggests that the deepest communication is not the one that uses words but the one that is silent. By not communicating, we are able to express something deeper and more meaningful than anything that can be put into words. However, the fact that the speaker is communicating this message through words suggests that words are not completely inadequate. They can be used to express something deeper and more meaningful if they are used sparingly and carefully.
Language
Moore's use of language is another key feature of Silence. Her use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that reinforces the poem's message. The repeated use of the word "silence" throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence, as if the poem is itself an expression of silence.
Moore's use of paradox and contradiction is also significant. The fact that she celebrates silence while using words to do so creates a sense of tension and ambiguity that makes the poem more complex and interesting. The fact that she suggests that the deepest communication is the one that uses no words while using words to communicate that message is a paradox that raises questions about the role of language in our lives.
Structure
The structure of Silence is also significant. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different tone and focus. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by celebrating the beauty and purity of silence. The second stanza contrasts the noise and confusion of modern life with the silence of nature. The third stanza introduces the idea that the deepest communication is the one that uses no words.
The fact that the poem is divided into three stanzas creates a sense of balance and harmony. The first stanza celebrates silence, the second stanza contrasts it with noise, and the third stanza reconciles the two by suggesting that both are necessary for deep communication. The fact that the poem ends with a plea for pardon for communicating so little creates a sense of humility and self-awareness that reinforces the poem's message.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Silence is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that celebrates the power and importance of silence in our lives. However, the poem is not a simple celebration of silence but a complex and enigmatic work that raises questions about the role of language, communication, and modern society in our lives. Through her use of imagery, language, and structure, Moore creates a sense of ambiguity and contradiction that makes the poem more interesting and thought-provoking. Silence is not just a poem to be read and enjoyed but a work of art that demands careful and thoughtful interpretation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Silence is a classic poem written by Marianne Moore, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, which explores the theme of silence and its significance in our lives. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem Silence, its structure, language, and meaning.
The poem Silence is composed of 14 lines, divided into two stanzas. The first stanza consists of eight lines, while the second stanza has six lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This style of writing is typical of modernist poetry, which emphasizes the importance of individual expression and experimentation.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and symbolism. The poem begins with the line "My father used to say", which immediately establishes a personal and intimate tone. The speaker then goes on to describe the various forms of silence that she has encountered in her life, such as the silence of the woods, the silence of the desert, and the silence of the sea.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the meaning of silence. She states that "silence is not a lack of sound", but rather "the presence of something else". This line is particularly significant, as it suggests that silence is not simply the absence of noise, but rather a state of being that is filled with meaning and significance.
The second stanza of the poem is even more philosophical, as the speaker explores the idea of silence as a form of communication. She states that "silence is deep as eternity", and that it "speaks louder than words". This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that silence can convey meaning and emotion in a way that words cannot.
The poem concludes with the line "silence is golden", which is a well-known proverb that suggests that silence is valuable and precious. However, the poem also suggests that silence is not something that can be easily attained or understood. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that requires contemplation and reflection.
Overall, the poem Silence is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the theme of silence in a profound and meaningful way. The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the importance of individual expression and experimentation, and the language used is simple yet rich in imagery and symbolism. The poem suggests that silence is not simply the absence of noise, but rather a state of being that is filled with meaning and significance. It also suggests that silence can convey meaning and emotion in a way that words cannot. The poem concludes with the line "silence is golden", which suggests that silence is valuable and precious, but also complex and multifaceted.
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