Manifesto: A Guide to Understanding and Analyzing Poetic Works
Which characteristic below was NOT a part of the Imagist Manifesto?
A. To employ the exact word, not the almost exact, not the merely decorative word
B. to produce poetry that is blurred and indefinite, never hard and clear
C. absolute freedom in the choice of subjects to write about
D. to produce poetry that is hard and clear, never about vague generalities
In the poem, Williams does not use any punctuation. How does the lack of punctuation affect the poem?
A. The lack of commas makes everything in the poem equally important, rather than elevating any part.
B. The lack of periods inside the lines gives urgency to the events in the poem’s story line.
C. The lack of periods or semicolons in the poem makes the image in the poem boring and irrelevant.
D. The lack of commas in the poem helps the image to have distinctly different parts.
How does the tone change at the end of Lowell's poem, "Balls"?
A. The tone changes from making a commentary on futile human behavior to one of rebellious optimism.
B. The tone changes from melancholy cynicism to one of anger and desolation.
C. The tone changes from playful and light to serious and somber.
D. The tone changes from being negative and disillusioned to one that shows her negative beliefs about religion.
What formatting issue led Ezra Pound to claim that Amy Lowell's "Bath" was not a real Imagist poem?
A. There was no imagery.
B. seemed to be written in prose.
C. It was not about a single moment in time.
D. There was no repetition in it.
Answers:
To produce poetry that is blurred and indefinite, never hard and clear was NOT a part of the Imagist Manifesto.
The lack of commas makes everything in the poem equally important, rather than elevating any part.
The tone changes from playful and light to serious and somber.
Seemed to be written in prose.
Manifesto
A manifesto typically supports a new idea with prescriptive ideas for implementing the changes the author believes should be made, accepts a previously published opinion or the general agreement, or promotes a new idea. It frequently has a political, social, or aesthetic theme, is occasionally revolutionary, and may even present a person's attitude on life.
Understanding Punctuation in Poetry
The lack of punctuation in a poem like Williams' "so much depends" can create a unique reading experience. By omitting commas and periods, the poet is able to emphasize the equality of all elements in the poem, making every word and image equally important in conveying the overall message.
Tone in Poetry
The tone of a poem, like in Lowell's "Balls," can shift dramatically, leading the reader through various emotions and perspectives. In this specific poem, the tone changes from playful and light to a more serious and somber reflection, demonstrating the poet's ability to evoke different feelings and thoughts throughout the work.
Formatting and Imagism
Ezra Pound's critique of Amy Lowell's "Bath" highlights the importance of imagery and format in Imagist poetry. By claiming that the poem seemed to be written in prose, Pound emphasized the significance of adhering to the principles of Imagism, which include focusing on vivid imagery and precise language to convey a single moment in time.