Great Mullen
The poem explores themes of identity, desire, and the interplay between nature and human emotion. It begins with a metaphorical departure from home, suggesting a journey or transformation. The speaker expresses a sense of defiance and determination, symbolized by the lighthouse, which serves as a beacon of self-assertion amidst confusion and conflict. The imagery of light and darkness contrasts clarity with deception, as the speaker confronts an unnamed figure, accusing them of dishonesty and betrayal. The use of sensory details, such as the smell of perfume, evokes intimacy and tension, highlighting the complexities of relationships. The speaker's self-identification as a "point of dew" suggests fragility and vulnerability, while simultaneously asserting a strong sense of individuality. The dialogue shifts between confrontation and longing, with the speaker expressing disdain for the other’s perceived weaknesses, referring to them as "cowdung" and "dungcake." This harsh language underscores a struggle for power and purity in the face of perceived corruption. The speaker's love is depicted as both passionate and conflicted, with references to divine imagery that elevate their feelings to a cosmic level. The poem culminates in a vivid juxtaposition of the speaker's vitality against the other’s dullness, emphasizing a desire for authenticity and connection. The cricket metaphor reinforces the theme of communication and the natural world, suggesting that true expression is both delicate and powerful. Overall, the work encapsulates a tumultuous emotional landscape, marked by a quest for clarity and genuine connection amidst the chaos of human relationships.
By William Carlos Williams · First published 1942 · Genre: Modernist Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagism · 265 words
First lines
One leaves his leaves at home being a mullen and sends up a lighthouse to peer from: I will have my way, yellow -- A mast with a lantern, ten fifty, a hundred, smaller and smaller as they grow more -- Liar, liar, liar!
You come from her! I can smell djer-kiss on your clothes. Ha, ha! you come to me, you -- I am a point of dew on a grass-stem.
Why are you sending heat down on me from your lantern? -- You are cowdung, a dead stick with the bark off. She is squirting on us both. She has had her hand on you! -- Well? -- She has defiled Me.
-- Your leaves are dull, thick and hairy.
What this Textopian page supports
Great Mullen is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Carlos Williams, dated 1942 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: William Carlos Williams
- Date: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Modernist Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagism, Symbolism, Surrealism
- Length: 265 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Modernist Poetry — The work exhibits characteristics of modernist poetry through its fragmented structure, innovative imagery, and exploration of subjective experience.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry, focusing on themes of love and identity.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on precise language align with the principles of Imagism, emphasizing visual clarity and emotional resonance.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the lighthouse and mullen, conveys deeper meanings and themes, characteristic of Symbolist poetry.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Modernism · Experimental Poetry · Free Verse · Imagist Movement · Nature Imagery · Rural Life · Farmer's Life · Agriculture · Seasonal Themes · Autobiographical Elements