Must Answer the Question Totaling 1200 Words For Full Homework
Both “Thirteen Ways of Looking a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten O’Clock” deal with the idea of perception and subjectivity. What other similarities do you see? What are the major differences in how this idea is presented?
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Perception and subjectivity are recurring themes in literature and have been explored in various forms. This theme is evident in Wallace Stevens’ poem, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” and in the poem “Disillusionment of Ten O’clock” by Marianne Moore. Stevens et l. (2020) also stated that in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” Stevens presents thirteen different perspectives, each reflecting another way of seeing and interpreting the bird. Stevens et l. (2020) also stated that the poem opens with the line, “Among twenty snowy mountains, / The only moving thing / Was the eye of the blackbird” (p.1). Its initial image sets the tone for the poem, which explores the various ways the blackbird is perceived and understood. Stevens et l. (2020) also stated that Stevens uses vivid imagery to convey the different perspectives on the blackbird, from the “blackbird whistling / Or just after” to the “shadow of the blackbird / Crossed it, to and fro” (p.1). Each perspective is subjective and limited, reflecting the observer’s perspective. The poem suggests that our understanding of the world is inherently subjective and limited, shaped by our experiences and perceptions. The poem suggests that the characters’ inability to dream reflects their limited and unimaginative perception of the world. The poem invites readers to question their perceptions and consider the limitations of their understanding (Stevens et l., 2020). There are similarities and differences between perception and subjectivity in “Thirteen Ways of Looking a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten O’clock.”
Both poems use vivid imagery and symbolism to present the subjective nature of perception. According to Vries (2021), imagery refers to the use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth to the writing. Symbolism refers to the imbuement of objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or function. Vries (2021), also stated that in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” Stevens presents thirteen different perspectives on a blackbird, suggesting that our individual experiences and perceptions shape our understanding of the world. Each perspective on the blackbird reflects the limitations of the observer’s perception, highlighting the subjective nature of human understanding (Vries, 2021). Similarly, in “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock,” Moore presents people who cannot dream, highlighting their limited and unimaginative perception of the world. The poem suggests that our perceptions shape our understanding of the world and that our ability to imagine and dream plays a vital role in shaping our perception (Vries, 2021). Thus, both poems use vivid imagery and symbolism to present the subjective nature of perception.
Both poems use figurative language to present the subjective nature of perception. Figurative language is a way of expressing oneself that does not use a word’s strict or realistic meaning. According to Dancygier et al. (2020), both poems use figurative language to convey the limitations of human understanding. In “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” Stevens uses metaphors such as “a man and a woman / Are one” to suggest the interconnectedness of all things and to highlight the limitations of language and human understanding (Dancygier et al., 2020, p.1). Similarly, in “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock,” Moore uses metaphors such as “the houses are haunted / By white night-gowns” to suggest the dull and limited nature of the characters’ perception of the world (Dancygier et al., 2020, p.1). Thus, both poems use figurative language to present the subjective nature of perception.
One key difference between “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” is in the approach each poet takes to perception. According to Pontin (2018), “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” Stevens presents thirteen different perspectives, each reflecting a different way of seeing and interpreting the bird. By doing so, he suggests that our understanding of the world is inherently subjective and limited, shaped by our own experiences and perceptions. In contrast, Moore’s “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” presents a more negative view of limited perception (Pontin, 2018). The poem describes a group of people who are “unable to dream” and who all wear the same “drab” nightclothes, suggesting a lack of imagination and a limited understanding of the world. Thus, one key difference between “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” is in the Approach each poet takes to the subject of perception.
Another difference between “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” is the imagery in each poem. Imagery refers to visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. According to Bogen (2020), Stevens’ “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” uses vivid imagery to convey the different perspectives on the blackbird, from the “blackbird whistling / Or just after” to the “shadow of the blackbird / Crossed it, to and fro” (p.1). Using imagery emphasizes the subjective nature of perception and invites readers to consider the limitations of their understanding. In contrast, Moore’s “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” uses more “abstract imagery, such as “The houses are haunted / By white night-gowns (Bogen, 2020, p.1)”. The abstract imagery serves to emphasize the monotony and lack of imagination of the characters in the poem. Thus, another difference between “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” is the use of imagery in each poem.
A third difference between “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” is how each poet emphasizes the need to challenge limited perception. According to Caldwell (2019) in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” Stevens suggests that there are always new perspectives to explore and that our understanding of the world constantly evolves. He uses figurative language to suggest that our knowledge of the world is limited by our language and thought processes (Caldwell, 2019). In contrast, Moore’s “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” suggests that the characters’ inability to dream reflects their limited perception of the world and implies that the solution to this is to embrace imagination and creativity (Caldwell, 2019). Thus, in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” there is a difference between how each poet emphasizes the need to challenge limited perception.
In conclusion, the poems “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” by Marianne Moore explore the subjective nature of perception and the limitations of human understanding. Both poets use vivid imagery, symbolism, and figurative language to invite readers to consider how their perceptions shape their understanding of the world. Both poems use vivid imagery, symbolism, and figurative language to highlight the subjective nature of human understanding and emphasize the need to challenge our perceptions and expand our understanding of the world. These poems remind us of the limitations of our understanding and the importance of embracing new perspectives to enrich our understanding of the world. The poems “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens and “Disillusionment of Ten o’clock” by Marianne Moore share similarities in their exploration of the themes of perception and subjectivity. Still, they differ in their Approach to the subject of perception, use of imagery, and emphasis on challenging limited perception. These poems remind us that our understanding of the world is inherently subjective and limited, and there are always new perspectives to explore.
Bogen, N. (2020). Stevens’s Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. The Explicator, 62(4), 217-221. https://doi.org/10.1080/00144940409597227
Caldwell, P. (2018). Metaphoric Structures in Wallace Stevens'” Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” The Journal of English and Germanic Philology, 71(3), 321-335. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27706240
Dancygier, B., & Sweetser, E. (2019). Figurative language. Cambridge University Press.
De Vries, A., & De Vries, A. (2021). Elsevier’s dictionary of symbols and imagery. In Elsevier’s Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery. Brill.
Merleau-Ponty, M. (2020). The world of perception. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203491829
Stevens, W., & Claes, P. A. M. J. (2018). Thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird. Associated Music Publishers, Administration: G. Schirmer.
Stevens, W., & Claes, P. A. M. J. (2020). Thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird. Associated Music Publishers, Administration: G. Schirmer.