Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Face" is a free verse poem written by Randall Jarrell and published in his 1955 collection, "The Woman at the Washington Zoo." The poem explores the power of art to evoke emotions and memories in the viewer.

Explanation:

The poem begins by describing a painting of a face, which immediately captivates the viewer. The speaker becomes overwhelmed with emotion, praising the face in "wave on wave" and forgetting the name of the person in the portrait. As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more absorbed by the face itself, seeing it as a fragile shell traced in the thin lines of the brush.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "The Face" is a masterful example of free verse poetry, with no formal rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, Jarrell uses vivid imagery and poetic language to create a sense of flow and rhythm in the poem. He employs several poetic devices, such as:
• Metaphor: The face is compared to the top of a wave, which creates a vivid image of its smoothness and fluidity.
• Personification: The face is described as having a bow-like smile that strikes the viewer like a wave.
• Alliteration: The repetition of the "w" sound in "wave on wave of praise" creates a sense of motion and intensity.

Conclusion:

Through "The Face," Jarrell shows us the power of art to transcend time and space, evoking emotions and memories in those who view it. The poem is a reminder that even something as simple as a painting can have a profound impact on our lives. Jarrell's use of vivid imagery and poetic language creates a sense of flow and intensity that draws the reader in and allows them to experience the power of the painting for themselves.

Poem Snippet:

"She had no portrait, now, but the smooth oval of her face,

tipping like the top of a wave,

surfed up on my eye till the bow of her smile

struck, drowning..."

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