Williams may have labored over his lines of verse at night, when he was away from his medical practice, but he was known to jot down ideas for poems throughout the day, sometimes between appointments. If inspiration suddenly struck, he might even note some lines on the same paper he used to prescribe medicines. As a full-time doctor, Williams had little time to study obscure academic and literary works, but he was financially independent enough to write whatever he wanted.
For all those reasons, Williams insisted on being a "local" poet who wrote "local" poetry. While other poets included academic and literary references in their work, trying to establish themselves as part of a literary tradition, William Carlos Williams insisted on writing only about the things he knew or witnessed on a daily basis. That made his poetry "local" and, according to Williams, more vivid and authentic.
Read these poems representing Williams' ideas about local subjects. Can you still see the influence of Imagist ideas in his work?
What most likely provided the idea and inspiration for "The Widow's Lament in Springtime"?
- the famous case of Henrietta Lacks
- Williams' relationship with his mother
- Williams' interactions with patients
- the inevitability of World War II
Williams met a variety of people—from newborns to aging widows—while serving his community as a doctor.
Williams met a variety of people—from newborns to aging widows—while serving his community as a doctor.
Williams met a variety of people—from newborns to aging widows—while serving his community as a doctor.
Williams met a variety of people—from newborns to aging widows—while serving his community as a doctor.
What is Imagist about "The Widow's Lament in Springtime"?
- its length
- the use of run-on sentences
- the inclusion of characters
- the descriptions of flowers
The poem occasionally breaks from the narrative to focus on simple, precise descriptions of flowers, such as "The plumtree is white today / with masses of flowers."
The poem occasionally breaks from the narrative to focus on simple, precise descriptions of flowers, such as "The plumtree is white today / with masses of flowers."
The poem occasionally breaks from the narrative to focus on simple, precise descriptions of flowers, such as "The plumtree is white today / with masses of flowers."
The poem occasionally breaks from the narrative to focus on simple, precise descriptions of flowers, such as "The plumtree is white today / with masses of flowers."
What is the theme of "Pastoral," and where does that message become clear?
- The subject of poverty in America is introduced at the beginning.
- The significance of ordinary life is emphasized at the end of the poem.
- The value of ambition in guiding human progress is affirmed at the beginning.
- The importance of environmental safety in poor communities is explained in the middle.
The poem's final lines make it clear that Williams is arguing in favor of recognition for America's poor and ordinary communities, which form their own uniquely American "pastoral" landscape.
The poem's final lines make it clear that Williams is arguing in favor of recognition for America's poor and ordinary communities, which form their own uniquely American "pastoral" landscape.
The poem's final lines make it clear that Williams is arguing in favor of recognition for America's poor and ordinary communities, which form their own uniquely American "pastoral" landscape.
The poem's final lines make it clear that Williams is arguing in favor of recognition for America's poor and ordinary communities, which form their own uniquely American "pastoral" landscape.
Which element of "Pastoral" reveals William Carlos Williams' background as an Imagist?
- the descriptive passages that focus on color and shape
- the reflective thoughts that frame the poem
- the optimistic view of poverty
- the subtle nods to traditional forms and themes
The descriptions of the run-down neighborhood reflect Williams' Imagist background—especially because he's finding so much meaning in the verbal picture he's creating.
The descriptions of the run-down neighborhood reflect Williams' Imagist background—especially because he's finding so much meaning in the verbal picture he's creating.
The descriptions of the run-down neighborhood reflect Williams' Imagist background—especially because he's finding so much meaning in the verbal picture he's creating.
The descriptions of the run-down neighborhood reflect Williams' Imagist background—especially because he's finding so much meaning in the verbal picture he's creating.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
The Widow's Lament in Springtime
Sorrow is my own yard
where the new grass
flames as it has flamed
often before but not
with the cold fire
that closes round me this year.
Thirtyfive years
I lived with my husband.
The plumtree is white today
with masses of flowers.
Masses of flowers
load the cherry branches
and color some bushes
yellow and some red
but the grief in my heart
is stronger than they
for though they were my joy
formerly, today I notice them
and turn away forgetting.
Today my son told me
that in the meadows,
at the edge of the heavy woods
in the distance, he saw
trees of white flowers.
I feel that I would like
to go there
and fall into those flowers
and sink into the marsh near them.
Pastoral
When I was younger
it was plain to me
I must make something of myself.
Older now
I walk back streets
admiring the houses
of the very poor:
roof out of line with sides
the yards cluttered
with old chicken wire, ashes,
furniture gone wrong;
the fences and outhouses
built of barrel staves
and parts of boxes, all,
if I am fortunate,
smeared a bluish green
that properly weathered
pleases me best of all colors.
No one
will believe this
of vast import to the nation.
