Poetry Analysis
The 411 on a Beat
Gary Snyder wrote a collection of several poems called “Four Poems for Robin,” which was published in 1968. Gary Snyder was born in 1930 and is known as one of the best poets of the Beat Generation. Snyder drew influences for his poetry from Zen Buddhism, a love of nature, and his experience working as a logger.
The situation presented in the poem collection is social because it the poem is about the love a man feels about Robin, the subject of the collection. Stylistically, the setup of the poem was interesting because unlike a stereotypical multi-stanza poem with a singular subject, this poem was organized as a collection of poems under a singular title with individual headings. The first three poems had only one stanza, while the last had six. Many differences could be found from comparing the first three poems to the last. The author used the first three singular-stanza poems to narrate the years after he split with Robin and convey the unending pain that clutched his heart. On the other hand, the last poem reflected upon the time spent alone without his love. The subject pondered whether or not he should have found Robin again, without coming up with an answer.
Snyder used nature multiple times in the poem. Each poem heading had a reference to nature. The first poem, which took place in Siuslaw Forest, contained words like rhododendrom, blossoms, beach, and a reference to the “sleeping in the open” (Line 15). For example, in the second poem diction including spring, cherry blossoms, orchard, and garden give an impressionable view of nature. Laced throughout the third poem, words like autumn, night, moonlight, stars, and dawn add vivid imagery of nature. Finally, in the last poem the words that describe the environment include: October, grass, orchard, and dawn. All of the references to nature, made the speaker’s love of Robin real using vivid imagery and comparisons of his love.
Snyder used Eastern influences throughout the collection of poems because the east had significance in his own life. For example, the headings/titles for the second and third poems included Shokoku-ji, which was a Zen monastery in Kyoto.
In the fifth stanza of the last poem, the author stated, “…as though I had/Lived many lives” (1-2). As a reference to eastern culture and important aspects of Buddhism, this excerpt implicated the notion of reincarnation. Likewise, in the last stanza of the fourth poem Snyder wrote, “Or have done what my/karma demands” (3-4). Karma is another important part of Zen Buddhism that can be found in the poetry of Gary Snyder. To comprehend its importance, the reader must note that Snyder chose the reference as his final thought in the entire compilation.
Overall, Snyder used a remarkable style with “Four Poems for Robin,” and set himself apart from the other poets of his time. His influences ranged from eastern elements from Buddhism to the simple harmony of the surrounding environment. This poem portrayed the range of an inspiring man and intriguing person. The speaker’s love of Robin is undeniable, but the question of whether he made the right decision is up to debate.
Works Cited
"Gary Snyder : The Poetry Foundation." Poetry Foundation. 2009. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/gary-snyder>.
Snyder, Gary. “Four Poems for Robin.” Poets.org. The Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 18 January 2012.
Gary Snyder wrote a collection of several poems called “Four Poems for Robin,” which was published in 1968. Gary Snyder was born in 1930 and is known as one of the best poets of the Beat Generation. Snyder drew influences for his poetry from Zen Buddhism, a love of nature, and his experience working as a logger.
The situation presented in the poem collection is social because it the poem is about the love a man feels about Robin, the subject of the collection. Stylistically, the setup of the poem was interesting because unlike a stereotypical multi-stanza poem with a singular subject, this poem was organized as a collection of poems under a singular title with individual headings. The first three poems had only one stanza, while the last had six. Many differences could be found from comparing the first three poems to the last. The author used the first three singular-stanza poems to narrate the years after he split with Robin and convey the unending pain that clutched his heart. On the other hand, the last poem reflected upon the time spent alone without his love. The subject pondered whether or not he should have found Robin again, without coming up with an answer.
Snyder used nature multiple times in the poem. Each poem heading had a reference to nature. The first poem, which took place in Siuslaw Forest, contained words like rhododendrom, blossoms, beach, and a reference to the “sleeping in the open” (Line 15). For example, in the second poem diction including spring, cherry blossoms, orchard, and garden give an impressionable view of nature. Laced throughout the third poem, words like autumn, night, moonlight, stars, and dawn add vivid imagery of nature. Finally, in the last poem the words that describe the environment include: October, grass, orchard, and dawn. All of the references to nature, made the speaker’s love of Robin real using vivid imagery and comparisons of his love.
Snyder used Eastern influences throughout the collection of poems because the east had significance in his own life. For example, the headings/titles for the second and third poems included Shokoku-ji, which was a Zen monastery in Kyoto.
In the fifth stanza of the last poem, the author stated, “…as though I had/Lived many lives” (1-2). As a reference to eastern culture and important aspects of Buddhism, this excerpt implicated the notion of reincarnation. Likewise, in the last stanza of the fourth poem Snyder wrote, “Or have done what my/karma demands” (3-4). Karma is another important part of Zen Buddhism that can be found in the poetry of Gary Snyder. To comprehend its importance, the reader must note that Snyder chose the reference as his final thought in the entire compilation.
Overall, Snyder used a remarkable style with “Four Poems for Robin,” and set himself apart from the other poets of his time. His influences ranged from eastern elements from Buddhism to the simple harmony of the surrounding environment. This poem portrayed the range of an inspiring man and intriguing person. The speaker’s love of Robin is undeniable, but the question of whether he made the right decision is up to debate.
Works Cited
"Gary Snyder : The Poetry Foundation." Poetry Foundation. 2009. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/gary-snyder>.
Snyder, Gary. “Four Poems for Robin.” Poets.org. The Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 18 January 2012.