Concerning the Thunderstorms of Yucatan
"Concerning the Thunderstorms of Yucatan" by Wallace Stevens is a poem that explores themes of discovery, transformation, and the interplay between civilization and nature. The poem follows Crispin, a character who embodies the spirit of exploration and artistic creation. Crispin, described as a man made vivid by the sea, is on a journey through Yucatan, where he encounters the vibrant and untamed natural world. The poem contrasts the civilized world with the raw, elemental forces of nature, as Crispin experiences a thunderstorm that symbolizes the power and unpredictability of the natural world. This encounter leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the elemental forces that shape both the external world and his own inner self. The poem reflects on the tension between the familiar and the exotic, the known and the unknown, and the transformative power of nature on the human spirit.
By Wallace Stevens · First published 1923 · Genre: Modernist Poetry, Experimental Poetry, Symbolist Poetry · 1,040 words
First lines
In Yucatan, the Maya sonneteers Of the Caribbean amphitheatre, In spite of hawk and falcon, green toucan And jay, still to the night-bird made their plea, As if raspberry tanagers in palms, High up in orange air, were barbarous. But Crispin was too destitute to find In any commonplace the sought-for aid. He was a man made vivid by the sea, A man come out of luminous traversing, Much trumpeted, made desperately clear, Fresh from discoveries of tidal skies, To whom oracular rockings gave no rest. Into a savage color he went on.
What this Textopian page supports
Concerning the Thunderstorms of Yucatan is listed on Textopian as a poem by Wallace Stevens, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Wallace Stevens
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Modernist Poetry, Experimental Poetry, Symbolist Poetry, Surrealism, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 1,040 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Modernist Poetry — The work exhibits fragmentation of narrative and complex symbolism characteristic of modernist poetic experimentation.
- Experimental Poetry — Innovative use of language, structure, and form pushes traditional poetic boundaries, aligning the text with experimental traditions.
- Symbolist Poetry — The pervasive use of metaphor and abstract imagery invites multiple layers of interpretation, a hallmark of symbolist art.
- Surrealism — The dream-like and unexpected juxtapositions of natural elements and abstract concepts evoke a surrealistic sensibility.
Tags
Modernism · Imagism · Symbolism · Abstract · Nature · Atmospheric · Mystical · Philosophical · Surreal · Symbolic · Visual · Metaphorical