Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock -- Wallace Stevens

       
(Poem #154) Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock
The houses are haunted
By white night-gowns.
None are green,
Or purple with green rings,
Or green with yellow rings,
Or yellow with blue rings.
None of them are strange,
With socks of lace
And beaded ceintures.
People are not going
To dream of baboons and periwinkles.
Only, here and there, an old sailor,
Drunk and asleep in his boots,
Catches tigers
In red weather.
-- Wallace Stevens
A carefully constructed, tightly orchestrated poem - its final five
words, though, are no less revelatory for having been skilfully led up
to [1]. The tone is surprisingly matter-of-fact when you consider the
theme of the poem - the lack of Romance (with a capital R) in our lives.
But this isn't completely unexpected; rather, it's in keeping with
Stevens' theory that the poet should transcribe "not ideas about the
thing but the thing itself" [2]. Thus the words, though poignant in
their implications, are not in themselves sad, nor (even worse!) pitying
- they just _are_.

A note on construction: the repetition of form in lines four through six
serves to build up a dreamy, almost hypnotic effect, while the colours
themselves are evocative of the mood Stevens wishes to create. The
deliberately archaic word 'ceintures' adds to the romance-of-the-ages
thingy, while the sudden multisyllables - 'baboons and periwinkles' -
make for an increased complexity of sound and meaning. The final clause
- 'catches tigers in red weather' - suddenly brings the dream vividly to
life; the unexpected adjective simply emphasizes the energy of the
action.

thomas.

[1] There! Not just one, but two prepositions to end the sentence with.
Been proud of me, Yoda would have :-).
[2] The title of another of Stevens' poems

[Glossary]

"ceinture"
Pronunciation: san(n)-'tyur, -'tur, 'san-cher
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English seynture, from Middle French ceinture, from
Latin cinctura
Date: 15th century
: a belt or sash for the waist

related to
"cincture"
Pronunciation: 'si[ng](k)-cher
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin cinctura, girdle, from cinctus, past participle of
cingere, to gird; probably akin to Sanskrit kaanchi, girdle
Date: 1600
1 : the act of encircling
2a : an encircling area
2b : a girdle or belt, especially a cord or sash of cloth worn around an
ecclesiastical vestment

    -- from Merriam-Webster Online, http://www.m-w.com/

[Biography, filched from the Web]

Wallace Stevens was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on October 2, 1879,
and died in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 2, 1955, Stevens attended
Harvard University for three years, then studied law at the New York Law
School, receiving his degree in 1903. In 1904 he was admitted to the New
York Bar and began to practise in New York City. From 1916 to his death
he was associated with the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, of
which he became vice president in 1934.

Although Stevens contributed to the Harvard Advocate while in college,
he did not gain recognition until four of his poems appearing in a
special 1914 wartime issue of Poetry, won a prize. Stevens would go on
to publish a one act play, Three Travelers Watch a Sunrise, for which he
would receive another prize, and eight volumes of poetry and essays,
with a ninth seeing publication posthumously.

Despite his death and subsequent decomposition, Stevens is still the
only lawyer I would welcome in my home...

    -- Roderick Scott Greene (whoever he is)

[Just a quote]

"...imagination is the power that enables us to perceive the normal in
the abnormal, the opposite of chaos in chaos. It does this every day in
arts and letters."

    -- Wallace Stevens

36 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

Rebecca Jordan said...

The mere mention that the sailor (who, by the way, is "drunk and asleep in his boots", which is a highly abnormal behaviour) "Catches tigers in red weather" just after it is said that the people in the white nightgowns do not dream such dreams throws into view the fact that not only are the nightgowns far different from the sailor, but that the sailor undoubtedly enjoys himself more. All in all, do something strange! becuase if you do, you are much more likely to live life.

~Becca

Anonymous said...

Hunt takes a straightforward story and renders it in enjoyable verse, uncomplicated by hidden meanings or stylistic research paper online tricks.

Unknown said...

A ally notified me about this website, I like the magnificent blog and astonishing design. Your precious key points implies much a person like me credit card processing

trubodywellness.com said...

This can be a comfortable publish I stumbled upon several committed info right here I've truly bought different enthusiasts with myspace which I'm able to say to these trubodywellness.com people concerning this particular as i truly believe it truly is nice info which further persons have to discover maintain the truly great do the job end up being back again yet again at the moment.

Ibeacons said...

It is a very nice post I came across some dedicated info here I've obtained variant followers on twitter and this i can tell every one of them concerning this when i actually assume it's nice data that will additional individuals have to see sustain the fantastic work be back once again presently take a look at visit on Ibeacons

Unknown said...

Your personal recent extensive regarded mutually as well as accrual wording and terminology related to revenue boost bring about this unique to support obtaining a high-priced mutually as well as destructive signature bank financial loans wide selection, normally obtained declare for example an even more rapidly destination. It is very important another person be sure you produce a look into terms and conditions concerning many household mortgage on the medial side regular traditional bank. It's best to probably perhaps definitely not enhanced concerning benefit moment significantly boost developments utilizing creditors. Typically, creditors take a trip whereby buyer totally shape around the credit-based card ahead of a few can start available to support whereby extensive compound revenue items.payday loans huntsville

Unknown said...

When i been recently given acquiring some sort of state-of-the-art this specific the courtroom room placement inside residence home loan within financial institution following Men and women us dollars location that will help you safeguard my very own taxation. Your energy in addition to work are also frequent mutually along with When i been recently given an outstanding idea.cash advance corona

Teambuilding said...

I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.Teambuilding

halong tours said...

I was not too familiar with this term correctly. But it seems herbicide is a product developed by a company or group. halong tours

Agen Poker Online said...

Situs Poker Texas Holdem Onlne Indonesia terbaik dan terpercaya yang menggunakan uang asli Indonesia. Poker8M menyediakan permainan poker, domino dan ceme dalam 1 web yang dimainkan oleh semua pemain yang Asli tanpa BOT 100%. ( Bergabung sekarang bersama kami Poker Indonesia )

Anonymous said...

gzxczxczzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzVitamin telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker, walaupun tingkat yang rendah dari vitamin D berhubungan dengan peningkatan resiko kanker. Apakah ini merupakan sebab akibat dan suplemen vitamin D bersifat melindungi tidak pernah dinyatakan. Suplemen Beta-Carotene telah diketahui meningkatkan kanker paru-paru pada mereka yang beresiko tinggi. Asam folat telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker usus, bahkan justru menuingkatkan terjadinya polip pada usus besar. Tidak jelas apakah suplemen selenium mempunyai efek pengobatan/pencegahan. selain itu, seiring dengan perkembangan jaman, kini pengobatan penyakit ini sudah banyak di lakukan secara herbal, salah satunya dengan menggunakan produk ziirzax dan typhogell, dan untuk info lebih lengkap, silahkan baca spesifikasi produk obat kanker ziirzax dan typhogell.

Unknown said...

Kumpulan Cerita Sex Cerita Sex Dewasa Cerita Sex Terbaru 2016 | Cerita Sex Bergambar | Sedarah Cerita Mesum | Cerita Sex Remaja | Cerita Seks Panas | Cerita Seks Hot | Cerita Dewasa Xxx | Cerita Seks 18 - Cerita Seks Dewasa, Cerita Dewasa dan Cerita Seks , Cerita Seks Remaja , Cerita Sex Sedarah , Cerita Sex Hot, - Cerita Seks - Cerita Bokep xXx |

Anonymous said...

Angka jitu Sgp dan Angka Main Hk 2D 3D 4D

yang akan keluar Bocoran Angka Jitu – akan berbagi Ramalan Togel Tentang Angka Bocoran jitu Hk . angka main 2D 3D 4D
Kumpulan Cerita Sex
, Cerita Seks Dewasa, Cerita Dewasa dan Cerita Seks , Cerita Seks Remaja , Cerita Sex Sedarah , Cerita Sex Hot, - Cerita Seks - Cerita Bokep xXx

Unknown said...

Angka jitu Sgp dan Angka Main Hk 2D 3D 4D

yang akan keluar Bocoran Angka Jitu – akan berbagi Ramalan Togel Tentang Angka Bocoran jitu Hk . angka main 2D 3D 4D
Kumpulan Cerita Sex
, Cerita Seks Dewasa, Cerita Dewasa dan Cerita Seks , Cerita Seks Remaja , Cerita Sex Sedarah , Cerita Sex Hot, - Cerita Seks - Cerita Bokep xXx |

Dony Praditta said...

Situs Prediksi Bola Togel yang membahas tentang bola,Togel,angka jitu dan angka main Togel yang update setiap harinya. Prediksi bola,Prediksi togel,Berita bola,angka jitu, angka main, shio togel,Bola togel

Anonymous said...

Prediksi Bola ,Hasil Pertandingan, Jadwal Pertandingan , Prediksi Score , Bursa Tranfer , Live Score, Prediksi Liga Inggris ,Prediksi Arema Cronus vs Persija Jakarta

Anonymous said...

Prediksi Bola ,Hasil Pertandingan, Jadwal Pertandingan , Prediksi Score , Bursa Tranfer , Live Score, Prediksi Liga Inggris ,Prediksi Arema Cronus vs Persija Jakarta

Unknown said...

crack Filehippo ms office file here. to read this.

find resumes said...

Once you have ‘clicked’ Search, you will be presented with a list of Band and Artist profiles suitable for your event. Just click any each photo to get their full details including a sample Set List, 2 x Reviews, their Biography and their photos.find resumes

check out said...

Great blog. All posts have something to learn. Your work is very good and i appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you.check out

rent a yacht in maimi said...

Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work.rent a yacht in maimi

William Mason said...

Nice post, I really enjoyed reading this article, it explains everything in a simple way. I will check this blog for such important information and will continue to search for it.
Custom Printed Beard Oil Boxes

Alix Hills said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

casinositeone.JDS said...


Feels lovely'. Is excellence an item to look and quantify, is magnificence an inclination to detect or is excellence a plan to attempt?

casinosite777top.JDS said...

With each conceivable response to existing inquiries we get more inquiries all things considered.

casinositeguidecom.JDS said...

Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues.

safetotositepro.JDS said...

It was definitely informative. Your website is useful.

Post a Comment