Irya Khanna

Professor Fuzail Asar Siddiqi

ENG-3380: Studies in Modern Literature

7 March, 2024

Modernism Mid-term Examination

1. What do you think are the special features of Charles Baudelaire’s poems that make him

a modernist? Analyse with reference to any poem(s) you have read.

Charles Baudelaire's Modernist Traits: Analysed through "To the Reader"

Charles Baudelaire is widely considered a pioneer of the modernist movement in

literature. His poems exhibit several key modernist characteristics, evident in "To the Reader".

Unlike conventional poems, "To the Reader" lacks a romanticised or idealised view of the

subject. Instead, it directly addresses the reader with harshness and irony, reflecting a modernist

move away from established norms and towards individual expression.

The poem delves into the darker aspects of human nature, focusing on individual flaws

and desires. This exploration of subjectivity aligns with the modernist shift from grand narratives

to the complexities of individual experience. "To the Reader" utilises vivid imagery, like "a pet

we feed our tame remorse" and "swarming, like a million writhing worms," to convey the poem's

unsettling atmosphere. This experimentation with language is a hallmark of modernist literature.

The poem deviates from traditional forms of address. Instead of glorifying the reader, it uses a

harsh and direct tone, reflecting a modernist rejection of established norms.

 The poem showcases the emotional realities of humans as inherently flawed. It depicts

our desires as sinful and temporary, easily extinguished like "a shrivelled orange." However,

these desires act as independent energies that can alter our reality, shaping our perception

through "death flow(ing) into our lungs.". It is a constant reflection of the duality of human

nature.

The poem portrays the difficulty of controlling desires and impulses. Lines like "lavishly

our vows of faith…path of filth" illustrate our tendency to succumb to temptations despite

remorse. This struggle reflects a central concern of modernism, exploring the limitations of

human control and the power of inner conflicts. The poem positions the reader as a "hypocrite

reader," "fellowman," and the speaker's "twin." This emphasises a shared experience of sin, guilt,

and desires, suggesting an alienation from a state of pure innocence and a connection to a

universal human condition marked by flaws. The vivid imagery of "a demon nation riots in our

brains" portrays the internal struggle between reason and desire. This internal conflict creates

alienation within the individual, highlighting the feeling of being divided against oneself.

The title "To the Reader" positions the reader directly in the poem's spotlight. The

speaker's sarcasm, evident in terms like "dainty monster" and "hypocrite reader," suggests a

belief in humanity's inherent "badness". The poem ends with the line "my twin," suggesting the

universality of these flaws and blurring the lines between the poet and the reader. This technique,

employed by other modernists, emphasises how shared human experiences transcend

individuality. Lines like "lavishly our vows…path of filth" also showcase the disillusionment

with the ability to achieve lasting change or overcome ingrained flaws. This shatters the illusion

of self-improvement and underscores the cyclical nature of sin and remorse. The poem paints a

picture of disillusionment with the possibility of leading a virtuous life. The speaker describes
human life as a "banal canvas" adorned with "woeful fates," suggesting a loss of hope and a

harsh reality devoid of inherent meaning or grandeur.

The final line, "—Hypocrite reader,—fellowman,—my twin!", can be interpreted as a

commentary on the act of reading as living vicariously. By confronting the reader with their own

darkness, the poem offers a glimpse into the "infamous menagerie of vice" that exists within us

all. This act of self-reflection is also a key theme explored by many modernists.

Overall, "To the Reader" perfectly encapsulates the essence of modernism. It rejects

traditional forms, delves into the complexities of the individual experience, and uses innovative

language to explore themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the duality of human nature. By

analysing the poem closely, we gain a deeper understanding of how Baudelaire's work embodies

the core principles of the modernist movement.

3. Arthur Rimbaud’s aesthetic in “The Drunken Boat” is more oriented towards the surreal rather

than reality and the internal rather than the external world. Do you agree or disagree with this

statement? Provide reasons from your reading of the poem.

Adrift and Unmoored: A Voyage Through Rimbaud's "The Drunken Boat"

Arthur Rimbaud's "The Drunken Boat" is a poem that takes readers on a surreal and

symbolic journey. Through the lens of a rudderless boat adrift at sea, the poem delves into

themes of freedom, loss, self-discovery, and the human condition. By weaving together vivid
imagery, rich symbolism, and a constant oscillation between the real and the fantastical,

Rimbaud creates a work that is both challenging and deeply rewarding for close examination.

The "technicolour posts," "carnivals of triumph," and "deliriums in shimmering light" all

create a dreamlike and fantastic atmosphere. However, the poem also uses realistic imagery like

"Flemish wheat" and "English cotton," grounding it somewhat in the physical world. Ultimately,

the poem blends both elements, blurring the lines between reality and the speaker's subjective

experience. The overarching focus is more on the internal world of the boat, its thoughts and

emotions. Lines like "I bathed in the Poem/ Of the Sea" and "Green nights I dreamed

bedazzlements of snow" highlight this introspection. However, there are glimpses of the external

world, such as encounters with "storms," "drowned men," and "Leviathan." These external

elements serve as catalysts for the boat's internal journey.

The poem shows a passage of time, evident in lines like "Ten blind nights" and "For

whole months on end." However, the focus isn't on a linear progression but rather on the

disorienting and chaotic nature of the journey. The contrast between the "deadpan Rivers" and

the "vastness of the sea" emphasises this lack of clear direction.The poem can be interpreted as

an allegory for the journey of life. The boat faces challenges, embraces freedom, and encounters

both beauty and horror, mirroring the human experience. Lines like "Sweeter than sour

apple-flesh to children" and "All moons are atrocious, all suns bitter" evoke the bittersweet

nature of life.

The anthropomorphization of the boat can be extracted from its continual internal

monologue. It has "ears," experiences "triumph," and even expresses desires like "I'd have liked

to show children blue-water Dorados." However, there's also a gradual separation. The boat

detaches from its "haulers" and "crews," and by the end, it declares itself "Free, smoking, got up
in violet spume." The poem touches on themes of deception and victimhood. The "shindig with

the haulers" may hint at a betrayal, and lines like "victim-breakers" and "atrocious, bitter"

suggest a sense of suffering. However, the boat also embraces its freedom and agency, even

reveling in the chaos, as seen in "carnivals of triumph."

The poem can be compared to Plato's Allegory of the Cave, where the journey towards

enlightenment involves leaving the familiar and embracing the unknown. However, unlike the

Allegory's hopeful ending, "The Drunken Boat" leaves the boat in a state of uncertainty, longing

for "Europe's ancient parapets" while unable to return. This reflects the poem's ambivalence

towards the possibility of true freedom and the potential dangers of complete anarchy. The poem

uses vivid imagery to highlight various states of being. The "frail" boat and the "prison-ships"

represent entrapment, while the "unmoored" boat and the "mad plank streaked with electric

crescents" portray liberation and the thrilling, uncontrollable aspects of freedom.

It explores the complex relationship between loss of control and civilization. While the

boat initially relishes its newfound freedom from societal constraints, it eventually longs for the

"ancient parapets" of Europe, suggesting a yearning for structure and stability. Using the boat as

a metaphor, it transports both physically and metaphorically. The boat journeys through diverse

landscapes, encountering both the familiar ("English cotton") and the entirely unfamiliar

("enormous insect-tormented snakes"). This highlights the poem's exploration of the unknown

and the challenges and possibilities it presents.The poem potentially depicts a journey from an

undifferentiated state to individuality and back again. The initial "deadpan Rivers" could

represent a pre-individual state, while the boat's experiences and growth during the journey

represent the development of individuality. However, the ending's longing for "Europe's ancient
parapets" could be interpreted as a desire to return to a more unified state, leaving the question of

human existence open-ended.

“The Drunken Boat’s exploration of freedom and its potential dangers raises questions

about the possibility of living in a state of complete anarchy. While the boat initially embraces its

freedom, it ultimately longs for a sense of order and belonging. This reflects the poem's complex

and ambivalent stance, but this stance in itself is reflective of the images of affective quality that

Rimbaud creates.