Negative Capability and Uncertainties in Wallace Stevens' Anecdote of the Jar
Overview
This essay analyzes Wallace Stevens' 1923 poem 'Anecdote of the Jar' through the lens of Keats' concept of Negative Capability. The author argues that the poem embodies uncertainty, mystery, and tension through its use of symbolism and poetic devices, while the jar itself functions as a metaphor for human progress and industrialization set against the natural world.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing the connection between Anecdote of the Jar and Negative Capability
- Analysis of language, structure, and poetic devices employed in Stevens' poem
- Examination of uncertainties and mysteries created through symbolism and historical context of industrialization
Preview
Changan Jiang
Engl 271
Dr. Nate Hoks
October 21, 2020
Essay 2 of Negative Capability
Anecdote of the Jar is a short poem written by Wallace Stevens. It is enigmatic prose, which makes the audience think about mysterious issues. The poem was composed in 1919 and was officially published in 1923. The poem can be interpreted from a diverse perspective, include the sense of human triumph against nature. This poem has only twelve short lines, but it thoroughly outlines one thing, all the past, present, and future of a situation. I think this poem is similar to the Negative Capability proposed by Keats. The reason is that negative capability is interpreted as capable of being in uncertainties, tension, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason. From a personal interpretation, Anecdote of the Jar does have some of them.
With regard to the language and structure of the poem, we can see that there is no regular rhyme scheme being employed. However, each stanza has four lines, where the author uses a thoughtful tone to narrate the conflict between the Jar and the surrounding wilderness. Some of the poetic devices used include personification, where the Jar is given a living being's abilities. Through different linguistic styles and poetic devices, the author can exhibit uncertainties, doubts, mysteries, and tension.
The first is the uncertainties because there are many things mentioned in the poems, Jar, Hill, bird, or bush. Through symbolism and imagery, the author creates many uncertainties about the interaction between men and nature.