Modernist Exponents
Varshika Srivastava criticizes the definition and views of modernist exponents, according to Robert Frost’s poetry. The critic starts by reiterating Robert Frost’s definition of modernist exponents as the ability of a contemporary poet to comprehend the greatvariety and complexity of the current civilization to refine sensibility in literature, especially in poetry. Srivastava echoes Frost’s view that the modern poet needs to become more comprehensive and allusive in a way that allows him to dislocate language into his meaning. Srivastava agrees with Frost on the need to adopt a more conventional approach in the use of languageto communicate a poet’s ideology based on the need to affect as extensive and diverse an audience as the poet possibly can. The diversity of the society today is such that every individual has their meaning, definition, and use of language in such a way that they personalize language.
Thus,based on Frost’s observation on the need to reconstitute the use of language in poetry, Srivastava’s ideologies follow the need to adopt a universal approach in language that can be intercepted based on personal preferences without losing its meaning. It is impressive to note how Srivastava emphasizes the use of language that portrays the real picture of a situation that cannot be misinterpreted on a personal level. The critic applauds Frost, who depicts rural life in a manner that is paradoxical to Wordsworth’s. While the latter poet portrayed the country life from a fictionist viewpoint, Frost painted the rural life in its actual color, giving immense weight on the harsh realities of life such as poverty, which can be seen in his poem Misgiving. By giving out a line from the poem which expresses birds’ desires to reconnect with nature, setting themselves free, Srivastava builds on the authenticity of his critique.
One of the outstanding aspects of Srivastava’s critique is that he gives the poet his due credit based on the active role in leading other poets on the use of modernist exponents. The critic applauds Frost’s painting of a real picture of the community through his poems that focus on the pressing issues of the community as they are. Srivastava argues that the only effective universal language of poetry is one that paints the accurate picture of the realities of life, such as poverty and freedom, which do not have other potential personal interpretations. The critic highlights the role the poem Mending Wall plays in effecting modernists’ creed, such as men becoming more self-centered and misogynist, which makes them feel alienated from within. The critique observes that while in most cases, human beings cry for freedom from oppressive systems of society, they are prisoners of themselves.
One of the strengths of this critical analysis is that it not only offers a contemporaryinterpretation and understanding of certain aspects of modernist poems such as Frost’s but also gives a precise application. Srivastava defines self-imprisonment as the need for men to look beyond their lives and seek a better experience, mostly at the expense of those around them with suchunscrupulous measures such as theft. While these options may result in the material gain, it contributes to the imprisonment of one’s morals and ethics in the long run. Therefore, Srivastava presents that greed does not have any better understanding than the harm it causes to oneself in alienating them from those around them.