Reuse, reduce, recycle is a common phrase used in America to encourage society to help save the planet. This simple phrase makes us think about what would happen if we did not care for our environment. A similar message is portrayed in the poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" written by William Carlos Williams. Instead of referring to taking care of the planet, this poem addresses the need for the "resource cycle". This cycle refers to the input and output system that our society needs to function. People must do labor in order for production to function. "So much depends upon" natural resources and labor to produce food for our homes. Williams portrays this message in his poem through symbolism. Williams is able to paint a picture about what is important and necessary to the survival of our society. He breaks down the sentences to emphasize "barrow", "water, and "chickens", which are metaphors. "Barrow" is the reference to labor that humanity must do. "Water" is a metaphor for the natural resources that we must use to produce. Finally "chickens" is a metaphor for the food produced. Since the poem is broken up to create an image in the reader's mind, we can see the importance of each part. The use of the color "red" and "white", Williams further emphasizes the wheelbarrow and the chicken.
The imagery created is the "resource cycle" depicted often in reference to economics. The cycle begins with natural resources, that are then put into capital using human labor. This process creates goods that provide for the general public. This relates to the poem because, Williams message is one that we must put in labor for production to occur. The image enhances the idea of the poem because it is clear in representing the idea in William's poem. This is represented by the resource cycle. We must put in labor to function as a society, just like we must care for our environment for it to function as well. "So much depends upon" the things that we do for both our society and our planet, which is the imagery painted in this poem.
I had not thought about this poem conveying a resource cycle visual. I agree that so much depends on many things in order to have movement or stability. If we did not have water, for example, what would be of humankind and all organisms? Life greatly depends on hydrogen monoxide for the growth of plants, which provide oxygen for us; the production of crops, which give us energy; and for our existence itself because it keeps us hydrated. I like how you broke down the poem, explaining what the three nouns represent or symbolize.
ReplyDeleteYour reasoning was simple and clear.
Wow that is a very unique picture, it fits very well with the poem, it would never have occured to me to use such a picture. I agree that each part of the poem represents the parts of a cycle, and all parts must funtion properly for society to sustain itself. Also I feel that the color contrast also signifies the cycle. Since human labor is crucial for the cycle to begin it is red, and the chicken sustains that human labor, therefore they are innocently doing their part and are represented by the color white.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of image. It is unique and does not merely portray the concrete image of a "barrow," the "water," and the chickens. Your image, instead, captures the abstract meaning of the poem. Your anaylis of the "Red Wheel Barrow" explains how the three nouns represent the "labor", the "resources" and the "food" necessary in the "resource cycle."
ReplyDeleteYou could explain why the adjectives "white" and "red" "emphasize the wheel barrow and the chicken." You could include that white is a color of purity and explain how this connotation gives more meaning to the chicken.