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Marianne Moore, hailing from Kirkwood, Missouri, embarked on a journey into biology at Bryn Mawr College. Her experiences in Europe, alongside her mother, shaped her unique perspective. After contributing to the U.S. Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she settled in Brooklyn, New York, where her role as a librarian unfolded. Moore's literary debut in magazines like the Egoist, Poetry, and Others paved the way for her editorial position at the influential modernist periodical, the Dial.
Her rich tapestry of connections included poets such as Wallace Stevens, Hilda Doolittle, T.
S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound. Correspondence with W.H. Auden attests to her influence on the poetic landscape. Moore's poetic experimentation with stanza structure aimed to harmonize "precision, economy of statement [and] logic" with intricate rhyme patterns, syllable counts, and ornate diction. Noteworthy volumes include "Poems" (1921), "Observations" (1924), "Collected Poems" (1951), and "Complete Poems" (1967).
Bird-Witted, a narrative poem penned in 1951 and featured in Moore's "Collected Poems," mirrors fables with its allegorical narrative employing animals to comment on human experiences.
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This essay delves into the avian allegory, dissecting Moore's exploration of maternal instincts, vulnerability, and the transformative nature of motherhood.
The poem unfolds with the portrayal of three fledglings eagerly awaiting their mother beneath a pussy-willow tree. Moore's choice of animal figures replaces humans, emphasizing the positive representation of feminine figures, particularly mothers. In Moore's case, this likely draws inspiration from her own deep connection with her mother, who significantly influenced her life and work.
As the narrative begins, the scene is set under the protective branches of the pussy-willow tree, where three young mockingbirds stand in solemn anticipation.
Their wide penguin eyes observe the approaching figure of their mother, a central character whose role extends beyond mere birdhood. The choice of a motherly figure aligns with Moore's own experiences, having lived with her mother until her passing in 1947. This maternal influence seeps into Moore's poetry, particularly in her portrayal of strong, nurturing figures, often taking the form of animals.
As the mother bird approaches, the stanza highlights the vulnerability of the young birds, symbolized by their tiny size and hungry squeaks. The mother's persistent attempts to feed and care for her offspring underscore the tension between the young birds' growing independence and the mother's protective instincts.
The imagery in this stanza unfolds like a delicate dance between mother and fledglings. The irregular squeaks of hunger emanate from the tiny creatures, reminiscent of the broken springs of a carriage. In this portrayal, Moore captures the essence of the mother-bird dynamic, emphasizing both the fragility of the young ones and the caring determination of the mother. The repeated act of placing a beetle in one of the fledgling's beaks, even after it drops, symbolizes the relentless nature of maternal care.
The process of satiating the young mockingbirds' hunger is vividly portrayed, emphasizing their physical attributes and the mother's nurturing role. The young birds, clad in grey coats, test their wings and tails, marking the initiation of their journey towards independence, all while under the watchful eye of their mother.
With the hunger satiated, the young mockingbirds stand in the pussy-willow shade, their grey-colored coats providing a visual contrast to the surroundings. Moore intricately describes their post-meal rituals, as they spread tail and wings, revealing modest white stripes. This moment serves as a metaphorical snapshot of their transition, a pivotal point where the young birds begin to explore their own capabilities. The accordion-like squeaks, described musically in the stanza, create a symphony of newfound skills and independence.
Moore intricately describes the mother bird's melody as delightful, yet the sudden change in tone reflects the unexpected challenges of motherhood. The juxtaposition of the "bayonet beak" and "cruel wings" symbolizes the dual nature of protection and potential harm, offering a seriocomic element to the narrative.
As the young mockingbirds test their fledgling wings, the narrative takes an unexpected turn. The mother's melody, initially described as delightful, undergoes a rapid transformation. The flute-like sounds, leaping from the throat of the shrewd grown bird, create a stark contrast to the earlier harmonious notes. Moore masterfully captures the essence of unpredictability, reflecting the challenges faced by mothers when their offspring venture into the unknown. The harshness in the bird's voice serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in the maternal journey.
A spotted cat introduces an element of danger, observing the oblivious young birds. The imagery of the cat creeping towards them creates suspense, emphasizing the precariousness of their situation. The young birds, engrossed in their attempts to fly, remain unaware of the impending threat.
As the narrative unfolds, an ominous figure enters the scene—a spotted cat, stealthily approaching the unsuspecting young mockingbirds. The cat's presence injects a sense of danger, contrasting sharply with the innocence of the young birds. Moore skillfully builds tension, portraying the cat as a potential threat to the fledglings' newfound independence. The naivety of the young birds, unaware of the looming danger, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, prompting readers to reflect on the vulnerability of the innocent in the face of unforeseen challenges.
The concluding stanza unfolds with rapid movement, portraying the mother bird's furious descent to confront the cat. The narrative emphasizes the transformation brought about by the imminent danger and the primal instincts of motherhood. The "intellectual cautiously-ly creeping cat" introduces a nuanced commentary on the protective nature inherent in maternal figures.
As the spotted cat inches closer, the mother bird unleashes a torrent of maternal fury. The bird, initially a symbol of nurturing care, transforms into a fearless protector, descending from the sky with a swift and deadly determination. The imagery of the "bayonet beak" and "cruel wings" paints a vivid picture of the mother bird's fierce defense of her brood. The once-nurturing melody turns into a battle cry, echoing the profound transformation brought about by the instinct to protect offspring. Moore skillfully navigates the fine line between protection and aggression, presenting a seriocomic scene that encapsulates the complexities of maternal instincts.
Reflecting on Moore's approach, she emphasized the importance of the verse's sound over its visual pattern, seeking a natural and unstrained quality akin to spoken language. Despite her preference for symmetry, Moore adopted a free-form structure in "Bird-Witted," deviating from the conventional rhyme schemes. The absence of a fixed rhyme pattern allows the narrative to unfold organically.
The poem's structure consists of six stanzas, each comprising ten lines. While maintaining a consistent line length, Moore introduces variations in syllable counts within specific stanzas, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the narrative. Notably, the deliberate breaking of words, as seen in "sun/lit" and "cautious/ly," adds a layer of complexity and mirrors the unpredictability inherent in nature.
Additionally, Moore employs various poetic devices, including assonance, consonance, and alliteration, enhancing the auditory experience of the poem. These devices are strategically used in phrases such as "wide/eyes," "squeak/meek," and "planned to perch," contributing to the overall aesthetic richness of the work.
Marianne Moore's "Bird-Witted" stands as a testament to her poetic prowess, weaving an avian allegory that explores themes of motherhood, vulnerability, and transformation. Through the use of animal figures, Moore delves into the complexities of human experiences, creating a narrative that resonates with both depth and subtlety.
The structural choices and poetic techniques employed in "Bird-Witted" showcase Moore's commitment to crafting a verse that transcends traditional norms. The absence of a fixed rhyme scheme and the deliberate word breaking contribute to the poem's organic flow, mirroring the unpredictability of the natural world it depicts.
As readers immerse themselves in Moore's intricate narrative, they are invited to reflect on the universal themes woven into the avian allegory. "Bird-Witted" not only serves as a literary gem within Moore's body of work but also as a timeless exploration of the human condition through the lens of the animal kingdom.
Marianne Moore's Avian Allegory: Unraveling "Bird-Witted". (2016, Jul 05). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/marianne-moore-on-bird-witted-essay
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