Breasts by Charles Simic
The written word, much like music, can evoke powerful emotions. A poet can take a simple subject, and based on his or her choice of words and the use of language and literary devices, can turn it into artwork. In Charles Simic's poem, "Breasts," I will discuss how the piece is influenced by the use of diction and music. Despite the poem's subject matter, it does not have a conversational tone. It reads very formally, which gives it a somewhat classy, mature tone. However, mixed in with the formalities are simple words, which allow the poem a light-hearted feeling. The contradiction between the formality of the writing and the simplicity of the words chosen leaves a relaxed, free-spirited tone to the poem. For example, in the fourth stanza, Simic writes, "They bring on their nipples/Beads of inaudible sighs/Vowels of delicious clarity/For the little red schoolhouse of our mouths." Simple words, powerful images, and all the while, teetering on playfulness. One of the words that immediately stands out among the rest is "schoolhouse." I think of 'schoolhouse' and I think of children, and with th
" The appreciation ranges from young to old, educated to poor. In the sixth stanza, Simic writes, "They draw nearer; Animal/Presence. With Simic's choice of words, the reader is taken on a journey of the senses. " To a child, a mother's breast can represent life and nurture. However, the images accompanied with the mention of food and drink are not always used in a sensual context. The breasts don't simply sit there and look pretty; rather, they contribute to their own beauty through these actions. As mentioned earlier, the poem is not only about eroticism and sexuality, but more like an ode to the breast, and all those who may benefit from it. The power of the word is mighty, but that alone is not sufficient in strengthening the meaning of a poem. Simic repeatedly mentions food and drink in this poem, which add a sensuality to the piece. Literary devices are the tools which fine tune the words of a poem. Stanzas begin with "they come," "they bring," "they draw nearer" and "they give. And seemingly at the other end of the spectrum, there is the old janitor ".
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