I need to start off by saying that I don't enjoy poetry and I never have. I don't understand it, know how to interpret it, and always miss the underlying meanings. So, in my attempt to break down James Dickey's poems, I apologize if I am way off, which I probably will be.
The poem I chose was "The Heaven of Animals." This poem appealed to me with the first line: Here they are. The soft eyes open. Although the title refers to animals, I think he is actually referring to the black race. But he is not saying that they are animals. I think this poem represents African Americans' life of slavery and fight for civil rights. The soft eyes refers to the innocence and decency of the African Americans. They stalk more silently... and their descent upon the bright backs of their prey.. I think this line refers to the slave masters. They kept a close eye on their slaves, and if a slave was to disobey, the master would put them in their place. And those that are hunted know this as their life, their reward: to walk. I think this line represents slaves fight for freedom. In the end, Dickey refers to African Americans struggle for freedom and equal rights. They go through a cycle, where every time they are beaten down by society, they rise up against it: They fall, they are torn, they rise, they walk again.
I think the overall tone of this piece is calm. The visual imagery of woods and a rolling plain seem peaceful. Even his references to violence are very mellow. Dickey makes repeated references to the landscape, each time describing them a little differently: grass rolling, landscape flowers, richest wood, deepest field, limbs of trees, trees full of knowledge. I'm not sure of what Dickey is referring to with these references. But because Dickey refers to heaven, he believes that even if all people aren't treated the same on Earth, they will all be treated the same in heaven.
Having no souls, they have come, Anyway, beyond their knowing. This line really struck me when I read this poem. Even though African Americans were seen as inferior to the white race, everyone goes to the same place in the end. And when that time comes, color won't matter, everyone will be treated the same.
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7 comments:
That is interesting you found it related to blacks. I felt the same way because it is the whites putting the blacks in the their place.
I am sure that none of us are exceptional at interpreting poems at this point, but I think that you made a pretty good attempt at breaking down this poem and at least coming up a basic understanding.
I had not even thought about this poem referring to African Americans. Once I read your blog though it seems like that is probably what Dickey was writing about. I just assumed that it was literally talking about animals, but your analysis seems rather convincing.
I agree that the tone of this piece is calm, and contains really peaceful and beautiful images; but then again it is about heaven.
I really liked your interpretation of the poem. in relating it to the African American struggle and the cycle of thier lives. The lines in this poem about everyone being alowed into heaven reminded me of Flannery OConner, how in the end they realize that everyone is excepted into heaven . it doesnt matter what your race is, or social status, god doesnt judge. So i thought it was intresting, not only on his outlook on slavery and his means about making his point, but also the underlying religous morals that carry much weight.
This was an interesting Interpretation of his poem I don't really think I would ever interpreted this way. I see Dickey's connection with nature and kind of assumed that it has something to do with hunting (which is a southern malle stereotype), being one with the animal and almost okaying killing of it because "having no souls, they come"
I also don't like poetry because I have trouble understanding it sometimes. I thought it was interesting how you related this poem to African Americans. It does make sense. I thought it was about animal heaven. A place for animals to go once they are deceased, free from human control and abuse.
I agree with your interpretation that this poem was a way of whites defining blacks as inferior and comparing them to animals. We have also seen this comparison in other readings this semester. I think it is interesting that the tone of this poem is so calm because it makes the issue appear so matter of fact. Its as though they are saying blacks are just animals and inferior and thats just the way it is. The calm tone takes away the emotion that you would think would be there or should be there.
Wow I never thought about it this way. I also did this poem and my thoughts had to rlavance to this at all. I thought it was on animals and how they had no choice but to kill and that was to survivie, but you know what they say about poetry everyone interprets it differently.
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