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What Were They Like - Denise Levertov Poetry Analysis

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Levertov’s Final Interview: http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/g_l/levertov/oconnell.htm

“In a final interview, poet Denise Levertov discusses the egotism of modern poetry, the sacredness of writing, and the spiritual hunger of our technologically dependent society”.

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Six rare Denise Levertov poetry readings, illustrated by artist Ohara Hale

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If a poem hasn’t ripped apart your soul; you haven’t experienced poetry.

Edgar Allan Poe (via coyotegold)

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Research how this text reflects the particular historical period surrounding ‘Navigating the Global’ (1966 – 2003/today) and discuss the perspective (social and cultural) it gives of this period.

 Throughout 1960s, through to the 2000s the world saw an era of change set in. Militaries grew stronger, the push for economic dominance became more competitive and technological advancements began rapidly developing – more innovative and quicker than ever. Along with these radical changes came the formation of protest, revolutionist and interest groups – most of which where rallying in relation to the political, cultural or social situation of the world.

 Through Denise Levertov’s expressions of poetry, the audience is able to gain a comprehensive overview of her opinion of current affairs and the status of the world during the ‘Navigating the Global’ time period. Levertov, an anti-war and activist poet dedicated the majority of her poetry to issues including the environment, war hardships, loss of culture and the oddities of the human race.

 Through her poems; ‘What Were They Like’, ‘The Sun Going Down upon Our Wrath’, ‘The Malice of Innocence’, ‘The Life of Others’, ‘A Place of Kindness’ and ‘What It Could Be’ Levertov implicitly and explicitly highlights the issues of heavy weaponry, mass destruction, ignorance and lack of humanity in the world as well as stressing the imposing ruin humans are causing to ‘God’s’ earth. By doing so, Levertov’s pieces successfully reflect the issues present in the time period, allowing one to grasp perspective on the social, cultural and political status of the world at this time.

 Using her exploration of social and cultural paradigms Levertov evaluates the dawning grievances of the world, urging those of younger generations to unveil their eyes and wake up to their ignorance.

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Protest Vietnam War, 1965-66.

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Dr. Martin Luther King protesting against U.S. war in Vietnam, New York City, 1967. “The greatest purveyor of violence in the world: my own Government, I cannot be silent.”

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Ways of thinking of this period. Show how these values are inscribed in the text. Include relevant theories/theorists such as those on post modernism, post colonialism, late capitalism, liberal humanism or ideological influences in the text.

During the late 1960’s the world was rippled by war, mounting pressures between North and South Vietnam resulted in U.S involvement in their plight for ‘peace’, beginning their 20-year participation in the Vietnam War. The war situation instilled a militaristic state of mind for many American citizens causing a polarization between them and the vast amount of civilian protesters against their involvement in the brutal war. This era also saw the beginnings of the major ‘Hippy Movement’ those of who preached peace, love and fundamental ethos including communal living with widespread involvement of harmony with nature and experimentation with artistic music. The hippie-movement and the anti-war or ‘peace movement often worked in conjunction and was mainly comprised of students, mothers, or anti-establishment protesters. The main reasons to American war objection fell into few categories consisting of; opposition to the draft; moral issues, pragmatic arguments against U.S. intervention and environmental reasons.

 Levertov’s poem ‘The Sun Going Down Upon Our Wrath’ represents the idea of anti-war advocates. The piece is addressed to children, teenagers or someone whom receives advice, and poses a simple question ‘Shall I warn you?’. The poem highlights Levertov’s strong connection to nature and her concerns for the wellbeing of the earth and its inhabitants, carefully informing the audience of the severe posing grievances the world is yet to endure if we fail to change our destructive ways. Levertov utilizes rhetorical questions to instill a subtle yet persuasive nature into the text, leaving the question to the reader whilst still suggesting the answer; ‘Can you be warned’ or perhaps ‘Are you listening?’.  Levertov’s idea of ignorance to both the human situation and the environmental crisis aligns with Allan Schnaiberg’s theory ‘that the desire for economic expansion will prevail over ecological concerns’. Schnaiberg’s theory agrees that government’s will choose maximize immediate economic growth at the expense of environmental disruption, and/or ruin.

 The notion of opposition towards the ignorance of humans is also heavily represented in Levertov’s poetry. In the poem ‘A Place of Kindness’ Levertov presents her frustration towards the ignorance or the categorically unaware nature of the citizens of the world. Levertov does this by highlighting the issue of nuclear warfare through the complacency of the first world and society. Through third person and future tense, Levertov is condemning and foreshadowing the paradoxical belief of the global as both a catalyst for progress and destruction. The juxtaposed idea of a ‘Dull illiterate saint’ contemplates the religious paradigm and its ethical teachings, neglecting issues not concerning themselves. Levertov stresses the idea of ignorance toward issues that are not blatantly presented presenting the idea of a blinded world and highlighting our disillusionment and a frame of mind to the reader.

 ‘What Were They Like’ by Denise Levertov highlights the issues of loss of culture, tradition and human life during the Vietnam War and Levertov and many anti-war campaigners alike strong protest values. The poem, before even being read suggests the notion of loss with the use of tense in the title, What ‘Were’ They Like – highlighting what was once and is no longer and Levertov’s obvious opposition to the idea of civilian brutality. From the first line the audience is introduced to ‘They’, the civilians lost in the Vietnam War as Levertov queries – ‘Did the people of Vietnam use lanterns of stone’.

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The History of the 'Hippie Movement': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_hippie_movement

The ‘Hippy Movement’ preached peace, love and fundamental ethos including communal living with widespread involvement of harmony with nature and experimentation with artistic music. The hippie-movement and the anti-war or ‘peace movement’ often worked in conjunction and was mainly comprised of students, mothers, or anti-establishment protesters

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yonJT8daW8&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU&index=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4qyIQAsm74&index=2&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFH_6DNRCY&index=3&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5ot-88UV-Y&index=4&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n88MReEC27k&index=5&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA0U22ZMVR0&index=6&list=PLAIGULvlRmk69goXXG_akj6XoEJmLpIMU

SONGS TO STUDY TO: a soothing assortment of classical music to assist with calm study habits. 

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Could there be a reversal I cannot hoist myself high enough to see, plunge myself feel enough to know?

Denise Levertov, The Sun Going Down Upon Our Wrath

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Navigating the Global related texts links: Source Sydney Grammar - http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/files/TextLists/

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Talk in the Dark - Denise Levertov