Standing on My Chariot

In the realm of literature, repetition is a poetic device that has captivated readers and writers for centuries. Its ability to create rhythm, emphasize meaning, and evoke emotion has made it an indispensable tool in the hands of poets seeking to craft works of art that resonate with their audience.
This book delves into the rich and multifaceted world of repetition in poetry, exploring its significance in the works of three towering figures of American literature: Walt Whitman, Wallace Stevens, and John Ashbery. Through a close examination of their poetry, we uncover the diverse ways in which repetition can be employed to achieve poetic effects, from the subtle to the profound.
Walt Whitman, with his expansive and inclusive style, embraced repetition as a means of capturing the vastness and diversity of the American experience. His poems, such as “Song of Myself” and “Leaves of Grass,” are characterized by their rhythmic incantations and the repetition of key words and phrases, which create a sense of unity and coherence amidst the sprawling landscape of his verse.
Wallace Stevens, a master of precision and imagery, employed repetition to explore the complexities of modern life and the human condition. His poems, such as “Sunday Morning” and “The Emperor of Ice-Cream,” are replete with repeated motifs, symbols, and sounds, which weave together a tapestry of meaning that invites multiple interpretations.
John Ashbery, a pioneer of the avant-garde, pushed the boundaries of poetic form and language. His poems, such as “Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror” and “The Skaters,” are characterized by their fragmented and elliptical style, in which repetition serves to create a sense of dislocation and uncertainty, reflecting the fragmented nature of contemporary experience.
By examining the work of these three poets, we gain a deeper understanding of the power and versatility of repetition as a poetic device. We explore how repetition can be used to create rhythm, emphasize meaning, evoke emotion, and shape poetic form. We also consider the role of repetition in the broader context of literary history and its significance in shaping the American poetic tradition.
Through this exploration, we come to appreciate the enduring legacy of repetition in poetry and its ability to capture the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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