Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"M. Degas Teaches Art & Science at Durfee Intermediate School" is a poem by Philip Levine first published in his 1980 poetry collection "The Names of the Lost." It is a portrait of an art teacher named Mr. Degas who teaches at Durfee Intermediate School in Detroit, Michigan. The poem explores the relationship between the artist and the world he inhabits.

Explanation:

The poem begins by describing Mr. Degas and his class. Mr. Degas is a skinny man with a thick accent who teaches art and science at Durfee Intermediate School. The students in his class are described as "wild with boredom" and "tossed from desk to desk."

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes how Mr. Degas teaches his class. He uses art as a way of teaching science, drawing diagrams of cells and molecules on the blackboard. The speaker notes how Mr. Degas encourages his students to see the beauty in the world around them, even in the most mundane things.

As the poem continues, the speaker reveals more about Mr. Degas's personal life. He has a wife who is also an artist, and they live in a small apartment in Detroit. The speaker notes how Mr. Degas is never late for class and is always there to inspire his students.

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on Mr. Degas's influence on his life. He notes how Mr. Degas's teachings have stayed with him over the years and how he still sees the beauty in the world around him.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse poem with no consistent rhyme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe Mr. Degas, his classroom, and his teachings.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is nostalgic and reflective, with a sense of admiration for Mr. Degas.
• Symbolism: The use of the name "Degas" is symbolic of the connection between art and science, as the French painter Edgar Degas was known for his depictions of human anatomy.

Conclusion:

"M. Degas Teaches Art & Science at Durfee Intermediate School" is a tribute to an inspiring teacher who uses art as a means of teaching science and encouraging his students to see the beauty in the world around them. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, Philip Levine creates a portrait of a man whose influence extends far beyond the classroom.

Poem Snippet:

"...where Mr. Degas teaches art

& science in exact proportion,

& because of that a roar

of traffic from the street below”

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