“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
- Introduction
- Animals in Marianne Moore's poetry and life
- To a Giraffe
- Formal analysis
- Analysis of content and animal use
- The Arctic Ox (or Goat)
- Formal Analysis
- Analysis of content, animal use and its opposition to To a Giraffe
- To a Giraffe
- The motif of animals in other poems by Marianne Moore
- Forty in one: The Jerboa
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines Marianne Moore's use of animals in her poetry, investigating the reasons behind her choices and the functions animals serve within her work. The analysis will explore how Moore utilizes animals to express various messages and convey specific themes.
- The frequency and types of animals featured in Moore's poetry.
- The relationship between Moore's personal life and her use of animals as poetic subjects.
- The formal and thematic analysis of specific poems featuring animals, particularly "To a Giraffe" and "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)".
- The diverse functions and symbolic meanings of animals across Moore's oeuvre.
- Comparison and contrast of animal usage and symbolic meaning across different poems.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Marianne Moore's use of animals in her poetry. It establishes Moore's position within modernist American women poets, highlighting her unique approach to thematic expression through unconventional subjects like baseball and animals. The chapter outlines the paper's objectives: to investigate why Moore uses animals in her poems and what function they serve. It previews the methodology, including a general overview of animal use in her poetry, an examination of her life, and detailed analyses of "To a Giraffe" and "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)," followed by a broader consideration of animal motifs in other poems like "The Jerboa."
Animals in the poetry and life of Marianne Moore: This chapter explores the prevalent use of animals in Moore's poetry, noting the sheer number and variety of creatures appearing in her work. It posits that Moore’s preference for animals stems from their inherent “genuineness” and their ability to bring a landscape to life, contrasting her approach to other nature poets. The chapter highlights her preference for unusual and exotic animals, arguing that this choice avoids societal prejudices attached to more common animals. The chapter further connects Moore's fascination with animals to her personal life, recounting her collection of animal-related artifacts and even a pet alligator, illustrating the deep connection between her life and her poetic subject matter. This connection is vital to understanding the role animals play in her work.
To a Giraffe: This section focuses on a formal and thematic analysis of Marianne Moore's poem "To a Giraffe." The analysis examines the poem's structure, highlighting its syllabic method, use of couplets, and concise sentence structure. It explores the poem's linguistic features, particularly the use of words with negative prefixes and the prevalence of words ending in "-al" or "-le," which create a distinct rhythmic flow. The analysis also investigates the poem's thematic elements, connecting the image of the giraffe to broader ideas of existence, uncertainty, and striving, drawing connections to the works of Homer. The analysis dissects how the giraffe functions as an example to answer a question posed earlier in the poem. The unique formal style of the poem is also analyzed, showing Moore's typical use of run-on lines and dashes, creating a cohesive argumentative flow that directs the reader's focus towards the poem's subject and its implicit meaning.
The motif of animals in other poems by Marianne Moore: This section provides a brief overview of the role of animals in other poems by Marianne Moore, using "Forty in one: The Jerboa" as an example. Due to its length, the poem is not analyzed in detail, but the chapter highlights the significant aspects concerning the functions of animals within this frequently cited and interpreted work. The focus remains on demonstrating the wide-ranging use of animal imagery across Moore's body of work, to emphasize the consistency and importance of this thematic element in her style.
Keywords
Marianne Moore, modernist poetry, American women poets, animal imagery, symbolism, formal analysis, thematic analysis, "To a Giraffe," "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)," "The Jerboa," poetic function, nature imagery, exotic animals.
Marianne Moore's Use of Animals in Her Poetry: FAQ
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes Marianne Moore's use of animals in her poetry, exploring the reasons behind her choices and the functions animals serve in her work. It examines how she utilizes animals to express various messages and convey specific themes.
What poems are specifically analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on detailed analyses of "To a Giraffe" and "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)," also briefly examining "Forty in one: The Jerboa" to illustrate broader themes.
What aspects of the poems are analyzed?
The analysis includes formal analysis (structure, linguistic features, rhythm) and thematic analysis (symbolic meaning, connection to broader ideas, function within the poem's argument). The paper also connects Moore's personal life and her animal-related artifacts to her poetic choices.
What is the methodology of this analysis?
The paper uses a multi-faceted approach: it examines the frequency and types of animals in Moore's poetry, explores the relationship between her personal life and her use of animals, conducts detailed analyses of specific poems, and compares and contrasts animal usage and symbolic meaning across different works.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the frequency and types of animals in Moore's poetry; the relationship between Moore's personal life and her use of animals; the formal and thematic analysis of specific poems; the diverse functions and symbolic meanings of animals; and comparisons across different poems. The paper also touches upon Moore's stylistic choices and her position within Modernist American women poets.
What is the significance of the animals in Moore's poetry according to the paper?
The paper argues that Moore's choice of animals, particularly unusual and exotic ones, stems from their perceived "genuineness" and their ability to enliven her landscapes. These animals often serve as vehicles for expressing complex ideas about existence, uncertainty, and striving.
What is covered in the introduction and conclusion?
The introduction sets the stage, outlining the paper's objectives and methodology. It positions Moore within modernist American women poets and previews the analysis. The conclusion summarizes the findings and reinforces the significance of animal imagery in understanding Moore's poetic style and themes.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Marianne Moore, modernist poetry, American women poets, animal imagery, symbolism, formal analysis, thematic analysis, "To a Giraffe," "The Arctic Ox (or Goat)," "The Jerboa," poetic function, nature imagery, exotic animals.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper argues that the consistent and significant use of animal imagery in Marianne Moore's poetry is not merely decorative but crucial to understanding her thematic concerns and unique poetic style. The analysis reveals how her careful selection and portrayal of animals contribute to the overall meaning and impact of her work.
- Citar trabajo
- Jana Brueske (Autor), 2008, The Use of Animals in Marianne Moore's Poetry, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204981
