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William Carlos Williams - Pastoral

The little sparrows 
hop ingenuously 
about the pavement 
quarreling 
with sharp voices 
over those things 
that interest them. 
But we who are wiser 
shut ourselves in 
on either hand 
and no one knows 
whether we think good 
or evil. 

			 Meanwhile, 
the old man who goes about 
gathering dog-lime 
walks in the gutter 
without looking up 
and his tread 
is more majestic than 
that of the Episcopal minister 
approaching the pulpit 
of a Sunday. 
			 These things 
astonish me beyond words.

Added: on June 7th, 2005 at 9:47 AM | Viewed: 6259 times | Comments and analysis of Pastoral by William Carlos Williams Comments (2)


Pastoral - Comments and Information

Poet: William Carlos Williams
Poem: Pastoral

Comment 2 of 2, added on October 6th, 2005 at 11:31 AM.

The poet uses words sparingly.But the effect of these words on the reader is quite significant.The poet creates a pen picture when he describes the houses of the poor.When the poet was young he wanted to make a mark in his life as a doctor and a poet.Now as he is capturing details about the houses of the poor people his past concern in life is no more important.He is in a frame of mind to accept poverty.The poet does not describe poverty using descriptive phrases.With the brush in his hand he creates little pictures.The roof of a house out of line with the ceiling is a stroke in painting.Similarly we almost see the picture of the out houses built of barrrelstaves.The last lines are replete with irony.The Nation being vast ,cold and impersonal may not pay any attention to the poverty of these people.The poet's use of language adds power to the theme.

usha chandrasekaran from India
Comment 1 of 2, added on June 7th, 2005 at 9:47 AM.

This poem is an answer to the notion that only the wealthy have "made something" of their lives. As the poem opens, the speaker mentions it being "plain" to him that he must make something of his life as a young boy. This said, the speaker then proceeds to ". . .walk back streets/admiring the houses of the very poor". The choice of the word "admiring" makes it clear that these people's accomplishments are not worhthless, although many in society may feel they did not "make something" of themselves. Continuing the admiration, the speaker notes that the "bluish green" color which weathered property obtains after exposure of the elements "pleases [him] best of all colors". The final comment: "No one/ will believe this/ of vast import to the nation" implies the opposite--that it is indeed centrally important. The hard work and accomplishments of the lower classes are given a great deal of importance. One can only assume that the speaker admires the accomplishments, much as he admires the houses and the "bluish green" of the property. Williams has created a poem which blows apart the idea of what "accomplishments" are, and shows that "the very poor", too, are worthwhile and admirable members of the nation.

Heather M. Crabbe from United States

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