Robert Hass from The New Yorker, is trying to argue that there are not enough words to describe what the tree is doing. He claims it's that he just can't seem to describe the trees actions, but it is not just the tree, in fact it is everything we try to describe in life. Words place a concrete limit on things and what they are doing. The author might have one vision in his mind that he wants to project to his readers but he can't due to the limits of language. Words can be interpreted in so many different ways and even with the perfect word choice to describe this tree, it is quite possible that the readers will never share the same vision as the writer. Word choice is so crucial because readers cannot see what he sees, it can only be done through the medium of writing, but for Hass, he feels that there are no perfect words to describe what his tree is doing.
Poetry is something that can warp your mind and ways of thinking. The poet is clearly in a state of mind when he is writing his work and his sole wish is for his audience to embark on this journey with him. He wants the readers to feel his writing and to have the same images dancing in their minds too. Language is his only hope to transfer the energy and spirit to his writers, but unfortunately writing can limit a writer. A good writer is able to put his exact feelings and emotions on paper. When he says "Dance with me" he is demonstrating how he wants to bring the readers on his journey and into his unique headspace.
Jonel, this was a very intelligent thought provoking post on the abilities of writers and how they are limited in the words they use to bring a reader on a journey with them through words. Have you thought about using more examples within the poem? The reason I ask this is because I feel as though using examples would further emphasize the points you are making about Haas' argument. You might want to talk about if words have the same effect as imagery would in this context. Overall, you grasped the argument very well!
ReplyDeleteThe imperative voice used in"Dance with me." is both an invitation and a command. The speaker demands that there be a dance. There is no way out. In fact, language is like that. We work with what we have.
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