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Comment 3 of 3, added on February 12th, 2006 at 11:08 PM.
Key to poem is first line and closing lines. Since poetry is the supreme
fiction, the "fictive things" of the ending are poems (or poets). They
wink as they will meaning they mock what they wish despite people's
sensitivities to criticism of thier holy icons or whatever is holy or
unquestionable to them. The poet's job is to crack these petrified codes
and institutions. Thus they wink as they will and wink most when widows
wince, meaning yes, the poet's subversive attitude will upset the ultra
conservative. As for the middle of the poem, its not all clear but its
definitely anti-religious, suggests that any moral code is relative, and
makes fun of the flagellants who whipped themselves out of religious
passion and a desire to mortify this world and its pleasures, something
stevens could never approve.
Andy from United States
Comment 2 of 3, added on April 5th, 2005 at 6:38 PM.
I think this poem does have a meaning -- even Stevens' silliest poems have
meanings. "Poetry is the supreme fiction" seems weird, especially in
relation with what "Anecdote of the Jar" and "The Snow Man" say -- unless
he is talking about the other poetry that he was trying to get away from.
But he says that even poetry is more real than these religions built on
moral law or its opposite. When the moral law (embodied in the Christian
woman) is gone, poetry can be the truth -- with no constraints -- and may
become a religion of itself. Poetry will wink when religion is gone. Sad
point of view, that he can never be "free" in his poetic expression if he
has moral constraints.
juniper from United States
Comment 1 of 3, added on February 18th, 2005 at 2:04 PM.
i dont understand this poem...i think that it does not clearly represent
anything
Sara Zimerman
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Key to poem is first line and closing lines. Since poetry is the supreme
fiction, the "fictive things" of the ending are poems (or poets). They
wink as they will meaning they mock what they wish despite people's
sensitivities to criticism of thier holy icons or whatever is holy or
unquestionable to them. The poet's job is to crack these petrified codes
and institutions. Thus they wink as they will and wink most when widows
wince, meaning yes, the poet's subversive attitude will upset the ultra
conservative. As for the middle of the poem, its not all clear but its
definitely anti-religious, suggests that any moral code is relative, and
makes fun of the flagellants who whipped themselves out of religious
passion and a desire to mortify this world and its pleasures, something
stevens could never approve.
Andy from United States