How to Deconstruct a Text

 

How to Deconstruct a Text : Deconstructive Reading of Three Poems by Shakespeare, Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams

Hello Readers...

In this blog, we’ll explore the fascinating task of deconstructing poems by Shakespeare, Ezra Pound, and William Carlos Williams. Deconstruction, a concept introduced by Jacques Derrida, is a method of analyzing texts that aims to uncover inherent contradictions, ambiguities, and the instability of meaning within them. This approach challenges the traditional idea that meanings in texts are fixed and coherent. Instead, it suggests that meanings are always shifting and heavily influenced by context. By highlighting these complexities, deconstruction aims to question and break down established structures and assumptions in language and literature.

We’ll dive into the works of these renowned poets, peeling back layers to reveal the intricate and often conflicting meanings beneath the surface. Through this process, we'll gain a deeper understanding of how language can be fluid and dynamic, constantly reshaping our interpretations and perceptions.

For more information about Derrida's Deconstruction you can visit this blog : Akshay's blog

Before the Deconstruct the poems we should know about How to deconstuct the text. For some basic information you can go through this video 

Now let's try to deconstuct the poems 

1). Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? by William Shakespeare 

"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;

Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:

   So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

   So long lives this, and this gives life to thee"

Sonnet 18 starts by comparing the beloved to a summer day, but it quickly declares that the beloved is even better. Summer has its issues: strong winds, extreme temperatures, and beauty that fades. In contrast, the beloved’s beauty is portrayed as eternal because the poem will celebrate it forever.

Words like "temperate," "rough wind," "decline," "nature's changing course," and "fade" emphasize the fleeting nature of beauty in the poem. Although the beloved’s beauty is part of this changing nature, it is preserved in the poem. The poem implies that the beloved’s beauty is immortal because it is written down. As long as the poem is read, the beloved’s beauty endures.

At first glance, the poem seems to completely contrast the beloved with summer. However, both are temporary when compared to the lasting nature of the poem itself. Everything alive eventually dies, including the beloved, but the poem and its message of love are eternal. If both summer and love are temporary, the poem might also hint that love isn't always perfect, similar to summer’s flaws. The strong winds that damage flowers could symbolize the passionate, sometimes messy moments in love.

Additionally, the poet plays a central and dominant role in the poem. The poem suggests that the beloved's beauty can only be eternal if the poet writes about it. Beauty is measured by certain standards and is celebrated in the poem.

For more clarification you also go through this video lecture 

2). In a Station of the Metro by Ezra Pound

"The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough."

This short poem might seem confusing at first because it lacks clear imagery. The individual images might not make sense on their own, but together, they create an overall impression. For an Indian reader, especially one not familiar with metro stations, the imagery might be puzzling. In the poem, the words are arranged to first mention the "crowd" and then "petals." The comparison of "faces in the crowd" to "petals on a wet, black bough" is a modernist image, similar to those used by T.S. Eliot in *The Waste Land* and W.H. Auden in *September 1, 1939*.

The poem also contrasts urban and rural life. As Ferdinand de Saussure discusses the idea of presence and absence, it's challenging to read what isn’t there. In the poem, there is no mention of "noise," which contrasts with the isolation suggested by the lines, like petals on a black bough. The word "apparition" creates a ghostly, fleeting atmosphere, reflecting modern life.

The comparison between faces and petals moves away from traditional metaphors. Just as the crowd at the station is momentary, petals and flowers have a short lifespan. This emphasizes the fragile and fragmented nature of the modern world.

3). The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams

"so much depends upon 

a red wheel barrow 

glazed with rain water 

beside the white chickens"

This poem creates a vivid image without any confusion, focusing on the simple material objects like a wheelbarrow and chickens, which are familiar to everyone. The use of red and white colors sets a distinct mood. Red might symbolize strength, utility, and visibility, while the white chickens could suggest calmness or simplicity. This contrast makes each element stand out more clearly.

However, the clean and shiny setting might be the poet’s idealized vision, possibly influenced by a book. The lack of mud, dust, and dung distances the image from reality, making it seem more perfect. The poem seems to celebrate everyday life and appreciates its simple surroundings.

In conclusion, exploring the poem reveals its layered meanings, the use of contrasts, and the fluid nature of interpretation. When one meaning stands out, others are pushed aside, opening up new ways to understand and enjoy the poem.

Thank You...

References : 

Barad, Dilip. “Deconstructive Analysis of Ezra Pound's 'In a Station of the Metro' and William Carlos Williams's 'The Red Wheelbarrow.'” Research Gate, 03 July 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381943844_Deconstructive_Analysis_of_Ezra_Pound's_'In_a_Station_of_the_Metro'_and_William_Carlos_Williams's_'The_Red_Wheelbarrow'. Accessed 03 July 2024.

Barad, D. (2023, July 23). How to Deconstruct a Text. Bhavngar, Gujarat, India: DoEMKBU YouTube Channel. Retrieved 7 3, 2024, from https://youtu.be/JDWDIEpgMGI?si=WnmtixfH9lFYj-bJ

Barad, D. (2023, July 12). Deconstuctive reading of sonnet 18. Bhavngar, Gujarat, India: DoEMKBU YouTube Channel. Retrieved 7 3, 2024, from

https://youtu.be/ohY-w4cMhRM?si=-WFBgnDu3dMT-IgR

Belsey, C. (2002). Poststructuralism (First Indian Edition 2006 ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.