Study+of+Two+Pears

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"Study of Two Pears" is a very complex poem. In order to understand this poem, a strong grasp of the Modernism time period is needed because that was when this poem was written. It has many characteristics of Modernism in it which is why one needs to know the basis of this time period. The author, Wallace Stevens, put a lot of his own characteristics in it as well (Brazeau). These characteristics were made from his life experiences. There is somewhat of a consistency in all of Stevens’ poems that can be observed and can also be related to other poems of this time period. All of the aspects make the poem "Study of Two Pears" what it now is today. The definition of Modernism is described as being the latest styles, art, fashion, etc. (Brazeau). Wallace Stevens’ poem has many of these characteristics in it. The poem literally describes two pears and he mostly talks about the physical aspects of it (Stevens). For example, Wallace says “ They are yellow forms Composed of curves Bulging toward the base. They are touched red.” (Stevens). This is a perfect example of how this poem relates to the Modernism time period because it is describing a form of art. Modernism also means relating to the current time period and current problems (Brazeau). During the time period this poem was written, it was the turn of the century and things were beginning to change in the United States (Stevens). The literary views were changing as well. They were becoming more literal and modern. This poem is very modern because in the time periods before, the poets would have put a lot of thought into what the pears symbolize and said what the meant. However, Wallace writes what they actually look like to him and there is more of a hidden meaning rather than an upfront one. Wallace Stevens exemplifies not only the Modernism characteristics in his poem, "Study of Two Pears"//,// but he also exemplifies his own characteristics in it. As he was growing up, Stevens was always interested in art and school and attended Harvard University (Brazeau). Even as an adult, he had a big interest in art and was constantly buying and studying art from around the world (Brazeau). His love for art carried over into what he wrote about. In this poem, he describes the two pears as if they were a work of art. His personality had a lot to do with what he wrote about. Wallace Stevens’s poems all have certain things in common. Throughout all of them, there are certain characteristics that stick out. A lot of them deal with art and things of that nature because that is what Wallace Stevens really had an interest in (Brazeau). They are also very analytical because Stevens was a very educated person. Therefore, it is very easy to tell Stevens’ poems apart from others. However, he also has the characteristics of Modernism in general in his poems. His poem "Study of Two Pears" has similarities to another poem called "Apostrophe to Man" which is also a poem for the Modernism time period. They both have the same theme of creativity. Stevens’s poem is a paradox so there is more than one way of looking at the poem and that was the poet’s idea all along (Brazeau). He wanted to get people thinking creatively (Brazeau). In "Apostrophe to Man", the main idea of the poem is to get the human race thinking differently than they had been (St. Vincent Millay).Both poems have the same main themes that root back to the aspects of Modernism. No matter how complex some of Stevens’s poems may get, there is no doubt that they have the characteristics of Modernism. He puts modern thinking into "Study of Two Pears" which puts it in this time period. He also displays characteristics of his personality into his poems along with the characteristics of Modernism (Brazeau). Many of his poems relate in the fact that they were all modern poems during its time period. His poems can also be related to "Apostrophe to Man" which is also a modern poem with the same kind of themes (St. Vincent Millay). There is no doubt that Wallace Stevens poem is from the Modernism time period.

Brazeau, Peter. "Wallace Stevens: Biography." //Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois//. 17 July 2009. Web. 02 May 2010. .

St. Vincent Millay, Edna. "Apostrophe to Man." //University// //of Michigan////, Center for the Study of Complex Systems//. 4 Apr. 2000. Web. 03 May 2010. .

Stevens, Wallace. "Study of Two Pears by Wallace Stevens : The Poetry Foundation [poem] : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry." //The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.// 4 Mar. 2007. Web. 02 May 2010. .

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