“Poetry has “a place for the genuine,” and Moore’s favoring of animals as poetic subjects is a tribute to their genuineness.” (Allen 1939, 112)
In my term paper I want to deal with her special interest in animals. I want to find out why she uses animals in her poems and what function they fulfil.
In order to do so, I will first have a look at her poems in general to discover what kind of animals she uses and with which frequency. I will also look at her life outside of the poet’s world in order to understand where her influences came from.
I will then pick out two of her animal poems to make a more specific analysis on them in order to see what the different functions of animals are and how they are presented. The first example will be Marianne Moore’s poem To a giraffe which will then be compared to a second poem The arctic ox (or goat).
In a next step I want to give an overview over the other functions of animals used in Marianne Moore’s poetry. To understand the quantity and frequency of animal use in her works I will consider another by Marianne Moore which is called The Jerboa. Because of its length I will not analyze this poem in detail, but I will present the most important aspects in regard to the functions of animals given in this frequently cited and interpreted poem.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Animals in Marianne Moore’s poetry and life
2.1. To a Giraffe
2.1.1. Formal analysis
2.1.2. Analysis of content and animal use
2.2. The Arctic Ox (or Goat)
2.2.1. Formal Analysis
2.2.2. Analysis of content, animal use and its opposition to To a Giraffe
3. The motif of animals in other poems by Marianne Moore
3.1. Forty in one: The Jerboa
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the recurring motif of animals in the poetry of Marianne Moore to understand why she incorporates them into her work and what specific functions they serve. The analysis seeks to uncover how Moore uses animal subjects to express complex human themes, contrast natural existence with artificiality, and articulate her own distinct poetic philosophy.
- The symbolic and functional role of animals in modern poetry.
- Comparative analysis of Moore’s specific animal-focused poems.
- The distinction between natural animal behavior and human artifice.
- Moore’s unique stylistic approach, including syllabic structure and descriptive precision.
- The relationship between the poet’s personal interest in animals and her literary output.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1. Formal analysis
With nine stanzas consisting of couplets – except for stanza eight - To a Giraffe is one of Miss Moore’s shorter poems.
The poem can be subdivided into five parts. It starts off with a condition: “If it is permissible” (l.1) and “if the eye is not innocent” (l.4) followed by a question noticeable through a question mark: “Does it mean that / one can live only on top leaves that are small / reachable only by a beast that is tall?” (ll. 3-6). In the next two lines the giraffe is functioning as an example answering the question posed before which is then followed by an explanation justifying the example from line 9 to line 14. The two words “After all” (l.15) indicate the beginning of the conclusion of the poem. The conclusion is also separated from the rest of the poem by its indention and its syllabic structure. The poem does not have a metre but it sticks to Moore’s syllabic method, each line consists of 7 to 13 syllables. The only exception is line 15 “After all” with only three syllables.
The poem as a whole consists of four sentences which emphasizes the effect of conciseness.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the paper, highlighting Marianne Moore’s unique poetic interest in animals and the methodology of the analysis.
2. Animals in Marianne Moore’s poetry and life: Examines the significance of animals in Moore’s personal life and their foundational role in her poetry as subjects for art.
2.1. To a Giraffe: Analyzes the formal structure and the symbolic function of the giraffe as a representative of the artist in a flawed world.
2.2. The Arctic Ox (or Goat): Investigates how this poem celebrates the intrinsic qualities of the animal, contrasting it with Moore's other metaphorical works.
3. The motif of animals in other poems by Marianne Moore: Provides an overview of various animal representations, such as armor, motherhood, and social criticism, in broader poetic examples.
3.1. Forty in one: The Jerboa: Discusses the contrast between the natural, simple life of animals and the artificial, wasteful luxury of human history.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes how Moore’s focus on "things as they are" elevates her animal poetry, allowing animals to exist as both metaphors and autonomous beings.
5. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to support the analysis of Moore’s work.
Keywords
Marianne Moore, Modernist Poetry, American Women Poets, Animal Symbolism, To a Giraffe, The Arctic Ox (or Goat), The Jerboa, Nature Poetry, Poetic Metaphor, Syllabic Method, Artifice vs Nature, Literary Analysis, Modernism, Animal Rights, Poetic Philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
This paper examines the essential role that animals play in Marianne Moore’s poetry, investigating how she uses them to express her artistic and philosophical perspectives.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The work covers themes such as the contrast between nature and artifice, the use of animals as masks for human traits, and the concept of poetic genuineness.
What is the core research objective of this study?
The objective is to determine why Moore specifically chooses exotic and non-domestic animals as her subjects and to analyze the different functions these animals serve within her poetic structure.
Which scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author uses close reading and textual analysis, combined with biographical and historical context, to deconstruct the form and content of selected animal-themed poems.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body performs a detailed analysis of "To a Giraffe" and "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)," followed by a broader survey of other poems like "The Jerboa" and "The Pangolin."
Which keywords define the core of this research?
Key terms include Marianne Moore, animal symbolism, modernism, poetic structure, and the tension between nature and human society.
How does the analysis of "The Jerboa" clarify Moore’s view on humanity?
The analysis shows that Moore uses the jerboa to critique human greed and wastefulness, contrasting the animal's natural simplicity with the decadence of historical human civilizations.
Why does the author argue that Moore's animal poems are unique?
The author argues they are unique because, while the animals may serve as metaphors, Moore consistently respects them as living beings, often allowing them to exist in the poem as themselves rather than just symbols.
Does the paper consider the influence of Moore’s biography?
Yes, the paper touches upon Moore’s personal life, including her fascination with nature and the role her mother played in her literary life, to explain her deep-seated interest in animals.
- Quote paper
- Jana Brueske (Author), 2008, The Use of Animals in Marianne Moore's Poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204981
