LITR 5535: American Romanticism
Student Student Poetry Presentation, fall 2003

Emily Masterson
LITR 5535
Dr. White
Sept. 9^th Poetry Presentation  

James Wright’s “A Blessing”  

While the author’s life should not be a limiting factor in the determination of meaning in his creative work, it is interesting to note that the brief biography given in the Norton textbook says that Wright “both loves and hates America” and that he is full of anger; “He perceives that the harsh social world has contaminated the natural world” (Norton 2750).

The poem “A Blessing” seems to exemplify Romantic attributes:

·        Takes place in a picturesque pastoral scene

·        Incorporates nature and idealism

·        Incorporates concepts of newness, and of nostalgia and loss

·        Incorporates a kind of fragile beauty

·        Expresses a desire for the sublime

·        Expresses a transcendental epiphany in the last lines (Alvaro Rodriguez in his summer 2002 presentation says that “the communion with animals leads to a transcendent truth” at the end of the poem)

·        Creates a picture of separation from the masses (Wright must cross the barbed-wire)

·        Creates an escapist feel—a desire for anything but the here and now

·        Portrays the “hero” in a complete moment of feeling that is almost sensuous in nature

Points to Ponder:

Why does Wright say of the Indian ponies, that “there is no loneliness like theirs?”

The slender horse that Wright embraces is colored black and white; is this symbolic?  Does Wright feel the lines are blurred between the natural and the social world?  Does this line represent a deeper conflict?

Question:

Does this poem represent Wright as an individual in nature or a figure searching for separation from the masses?

White-- Where do you see the social and idyllic state?

Amy—Begins off the highway then steps into a natural setting

Rosalyn—Separation between society and who is with him

Hopkins—Separation in nature versus social world; In nature you see black and white; In social world you see a lot of grey

Ashley—Domesticated animals in part of pasture

Hopkins—Images of twilight, language is elevated beyond regular pasture

Kakhi—Longing for something that’s not here; They can’t roam free

Holly—2 Indian ponies, significant?  They are welcoming them off the highway; Come out of the city into nature

Roslyn—Disappearing Indian theme; Even if they go out they might get hit

White—Edwards is not afraid of nature; Rowlandson hated nature

Kristy—Horses are innocent figures that you see in romanticism; a good lonliness

White—Mysticicsm happens in bittersweet isolation

Kristy—Whole poem is focused on nature

Marian—We would be completely consumed by the horses

Khaki—Not having bodily boundaries

Marian—1960’s Indian reservations; Get them to be part of society

Mary—No freedom to roam

Marian—Which angle are you getting hit from, “They bow shyly as wet swans” Nice line.  Does this poem reach the sublime?

White—Sublime contains pleasure and pain