A Clarification of Imagination

Wallace Stevens is focused on the imagination, reality, and the interaction between the two in his works. He often takes a very philosophical view on how the world has changed and lines have been blurred. One gray area that is of particular interest to Stevens is that of reality and imagination. The way we are able to come to a conclusion about reality is through our imaginations. We cannot live without our imaginations, because in a sense they are our filters that help us to process reality, and reconcile the formed reality with the world around us. Once people have gained a certain comfort level with the imagination it becomes a part of the their definition of normal (“Imagination as value” 145-146). The effect of this premise is best described by Stevens in “Imagination as value” when he writes, “The imagination is the power that enables us to perceive the normal in the abnormal,” (153). By Wallace Stevens presenting the imagination in this way, he shows the personal aspect, subjectivity, and variability of the imagination. Everyone's experiences are different as are their perceptions and interpretations, therefore affecting their view of the imagination and the world around them.

Stevens uses these concepts as themes within his poetry. One such example would be in the poem “The Man with the Blue Guitar”. Here Stevens utilizes dichotomies that raise questions in order to show the difference in spectrum that a person can garner from a difference in imagination. An example of a dichotomy occurs when Stevens writes, “And all their manner, right and wrong, // And all their manner, weak and strong?” (134). The juxtaposition of “right and wrong” and “weak and strong” serves to show that either can be perceived based on an experience, but both can be correct in their assumption. This fact that both are possible and true exemplifies the notion that the imagination is not the same in everyone nor is it used in the same manner. Furthermore, by the beginning of the sentence being parallel to that of the next the link between the two sentences is established as well as the explication. Additionally, Stevens makes reference to a dichotomy between day and night and the sun and moon in sections five, seven and eight, which also serves the same purpose of making clear the subjective nature of the imagination.

Another way Stevens tries to show the reader that the imagination is a self evolving thing is by his use of anastrophe. This technique is applied in “The Man with the Blue Guitar” when Stevens says, “They said, 'You have a blue guitar, // You do not play things as they are.' The man replied, 'Things as they are // Are changed upon the blue guitar.'”(133). The inversion of the rhyming and words illustrates that each person has a different perspective that shapes their imagination. Based upon this shaping of a person's imagination their perception and interpretation varies. By recording both the they and man's viewpoint, Stevens embodies the idea that the imagination is not absolute. Additionally, Stevens presents both opinions in regards to change. Namely, the opinion of the they which states that people cause change, as opposed to the opinion of the man which says that the blue guitar (ie nature) causes change. In not limiting himself to one perspective, he conveys the ideal nature of the imagination.

To summarize, Wallace Stevens is deeply concerned with the imagination and its implications. Therefore, he devotes his poetry to clarifying the imagination and its ways. Primarily, he utilizes the methods of dichotomy and anastrophe to achieve this goal. Ultimately, Stevens wants the reader to understand that the imagination is a highly influenced part of our lives. Due to the imagination's powerfulness and impact everyone can have a different perspective. Another goal Stevens wants to attain is explaining the relationship between the imagination and reality. He desires for the reader to see that the two are related and work closely together in an overlapping manner. The movement from the imagination to reality is aided by gaining a knowledge in one realm and seeking clarification in another or an application to the other.