“Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens: A Critical Analysis

“Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens was first published in 1919 in The Poetry Journal. It was later included in Stevens’s first collection, Harmonium, published in 1923.

"Anecdote of the Jar" by Wallace Stevens: A Critical Analysis
Introduction: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens

“Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens was first published in 1919 in The Poetry Journal. It was later included in Stevens’s first collection, Harmonium, published in 1923. The poem, one of Stevens’s most famous and frequently analyzed, is known for its vivid imagery, ambiguous symbolism, and philosophical exploration of the relationship between art and nature. Its precise language and seemingly simple structure belie a complex examination of themes such as order, chaos, and the power of human perception to shape reality.

Text: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens

I placed a jar in Tennessee,   

And round it was, upon a hill.   

It made the slovenly wilderness   

Surround that hill.

The wilderness rose up to it,

And sprawled around, no longer wild.

The jar was round upon the ground   

And tall and of a port in air.

It took dominion everywhere.   

The jar was gray and bare.

It did not give of bird or bush,   

Like nothing else in Tennessee.

Annotations: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
LineAnnotation
I placed a jar in Tennessee,The speaker begins by stating that they have placed a jar in a specific location, Tennessee, which sets the scene for the rest of the poem.
And round it was, upon a hill.The jar is described as being “round” and situated “upon a hill”, which creates a sense of isolation and prominence.
It made the slovenly wildernessThe presence of the jar has an effect on the surrounding environment, which is described as “slovenly wilderness”, implying a sense of disorder and neglect.
Surround that hill.The wilderness is forced to “surround” the hill, implying a sense of containment and boundaries.
The wilderness rose up to it,The wilderness is personified, as if it is actively responding to the presence of the jar by “rising up” to meet it.
And sprawled around, no longer wild.The wilderness has lost its wild and untamed nature, and is now “sprawled” around the jar in a more subdued and domesticated state.
The jar was round upon the groundThe jar is again described as “round”, emphasizing its shape and presence on the ground.
And tall and of a port in air.The jar is also described as “tall” and having a sense of grandeur or importance, with the phrase “of a port in air” suggesting a sense of elevation and dignity.
It took dominion everywhere.The jar has taken control and dominance over the surrounding environment, implying a sense of power and authority.
The jar was gray and bare.The jar is described as being “gray” and “bare”, which creates a sense of simplicity and lack of ornamentation.
It did not give of bird or bush,The jar does not provide a habitat or sustenance for natural elements like birds or bushes, emphasizing its artificial and manufactured nature.
Like nothing else in Tennessee.The jar is unique and unlike anything else in Tennessee, emphasizing its singular presence and impact on the environment.
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
Literary DeviceExampleExplanation
1. Metaphor“I placed a jar in Tennessee”The jar symbolizes human civilization or order imposed on the natural world.
2. Personification“It took dominion everywhere”The jar is given human-like qualities of control and authority.
3. Symbolism“The jar was gray and bare”The gray and bare jar symbolizes industrialization or the absence of nature’s vibrancy.
4. Imagery“And round it was, upon a hill”Visual imagery evokes the image of a jar placed on a hill.
5. Alliteration“The wilderness rose up to it”Repetition of the ‘w’ sound emphasizes the wild nature’s reaction to the jar’s presence.
6. Repetition“And sprawled around, no longer wild”Repeating ‘around’ emphasizes the transformation of the wilderness due to the jar.
7. Enjambment“And tall and of a port in air”The phrase carries over to the next line, creating a sense of continuity in the description.
8. Assonance“The jar was round upon the ground”Repetition of the ‘ou’ sound enhances the description of the jar’s shape and placement.
9. Allusion“Like nothing else in Tennessee”Referring to Tennessee suggests uniqueness or singularity, emphasizing the jar’s peculiarity.
10. Irony“It did not give of bird or bush”The jar, a symbol of human civilization, contrasts with nature’s typical offerings.
11. Onomatopoeia“sprawled around”The word imitates the sound of something spreading or expanding, adding sensory detail.
12. Hyperbole“It took dominion everywhere”Exaggeration emphasizes the jar’s overwhelming influence on its surroundings.
13. Simile“Like nothing else in Tennessee”Comparing the jar to nothing else highlights its uniqueness.
14. Paradox“The wilderness rose up to it”The wilderness, typically associated with chaos, is described as rising up to the order of the jar.
15. Synecdoche“And sprawled around, no longer wild”“No longer wild” represents the entire wilderness’s transformation due to the jar.
16. Oxymoron“slovenly wilderness”Combining ‘slovenly’ (messy) with ‘wilderness’ (untamed) creates a contradictory image.
17. Anaphora“The jar was
” (repeated throughout)Repetition of this phrase at the beginning of several lines emphasizes the jar’s importance.
18. Metonymy“It did not give of bird or bush”‘Bird or bush’ represents nature’s typical offerings, emphasizing what the jar lacks.
19. Antithesis“The jar was gray and bare”Contrast between ‘gray and bare’ and the natural landscape suggests conflict or imbalance.
20. EpiphanyThe transformation of the wildernessThe realization of the transformative power of human intervention in the natural world.
Themes: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens

·       Human Imposition on Nature

  • Reference: “I placed a jar in Tennessee, / And round it was, upon a hill.”
  • The act of placing a jar on a hill in the wilderness symbolizes human intervention into the natural world. This action suggests the imposition of human order or civilization onto untamed nature. The jar’s presence alters the landscape, transforming the once wild wilderness into a more ordered and controlled environment. This theme highlights humanity’s ability to shape and change the natural world to suit its needs or desires.

·       Conflict Between Civilization and Nature

  • Reference: “The wilderness rose up to it, / And sprawled around, no longer wild.”
  • The poem depicts a tension between the jar, representing human civilization, and the wilderness, symbolizing untamed nature. As the wilderness rises up to the jar, it loses its wildness and becomes subdued by human influence. This conflict suggests a struggle between the natural world and human civilization, raising questions about the consequences of human intervention on the environment and the loss of natural beauty.

·       The Power of Symbolism

  • Reference: “It took dominion everywhere.”
  • The jar’s symbolic significance extends beyond its physical presence. It takes on a dominant role, exerting control over its surroundings and influencing the landscape. Through its symbolism, the jar becomes a potent force, shaping the environment and altering perceptions of nature. This theme explores the transformative power of symbols and their ability to affect our understanding of the world around us.

·       Alienation from Nature

  • Reference: “Like nothing else in Tennessee.”
  • The jar’s uniqueness sets it apart from its natural surroundings, emphasizing a sense of alienation from the natural world. While it imposes order and control, it also creates a stark contrast with the organic beauty of the wilderness. This theme highlights the disconnect between humanity and nature, suggesting that our attempts to control or shape the environment may lead to a sense of estrangement or isolation from the natural world.
  • These themes enrich the poem’s exploration of humanity’s relationship with nature and the broader implications of human intervention on the environment.
Literary Theories and “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
Literary TheoryApplication to “Anecdote of the Jar”References from the PoemCritique
Imperialism and ColonialismThe jar represents the imposition of human order on the natural world, echoing the colonialist impulse to dominate and control.“I placed a jar in Tennessee” (line 1), “It took dominion everywhere” (line 9)The poem critiques the idea of human dominance over nature, highlighting the jar’s artificial presence in the wilderness.
Structuralism and SymbolismThe jar serves as a symbol for the human desire to impose meaning and structure on the world, while the wilderness represents the untamed and unstructured natural world.“The jar was round upon the ground” (line 7), “The wilderness rose up to it” (line 5)The poem explores the tension between the human need for structure and the natural world’s resistance to it.
Modernism and the Crisis of RepresentationThe poem’s use of imagery and symbolism challenges traditional notions of representation and meaning, reflecting the modernist crisis of representation.“It did not give of bird or bush” (line 11), “Like nothing else in Tennessee” (line 12)The poem’s abstract and enigmatic language critiques the idea of direct representation, instead emphasizing the complexity and ambiguity of human experience.
Critical Questions about “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
  • Question 1: What is the significance of the jar’s placement in Tennessee?
  • The jar’s placement in Tennessee is significant because it represents the imposition of human order on the natural world. The speaker’s action of placing the jar in the wilderness is an act of dominance and control, highlighting the human desire to impose meaning and structure on the world. (“I placed a jar in Tennessee” (line 1), “It took dominion everywhere” (line 9)). This act also raises questions about the relationship between nature and human-made objects, and how they interact and influence each other.
  • Question 2: How does the poem explore the tension between nature and human-made objects?
  • The poem explores the tension between nature and human-made objects through the contrast between the jar and the wilderness. The jar, with its perfect roundness and grayness, represents human order and control, while the wilderness, with its slovenly and sprawling nature, represents the untamed and unstructured natural world. (“The jar was round upon the ground” (line 7), “The wilderness rose up to it” (line 5)). This tension highlights the complex relationship between human-made objects and the natural world, and how they shape and influence each other.
  • Question 3: What is the significance of the jar’s description as “gray and bare”?
  • The jar’s description as “gray and bare” is significant because it highlights the jar’s lack of ornamentation and its simplicity. This simplicity contrasts with the complexity and richness of the natural world, emphasizing the jar’s artificial and manufactured nature. (“The jar was gray and bare” (line 10)). This description also raises questions about the relationship between beauty and simplicity, and how human-made objects can be beautiful in their simplicity.
  • Question 4: How does the poem’s use of imagery and symbolism contribute to its themes and meanings?
  • The poem’s use of imagery and symbolism contributes to its themes and meanings by creating a rich and complex world that explores the relationship between nature and human-made objects. The jar and the wilderness are used as symbols to represent human order and the natural world, respectively, and the imagery of the poem creates a vivid picture of their interaction. (“The jar was round upon the ground” (line 7), “The wilderness rose up to it” (line 5)). This use of imagery and symbolism allows the poem to explore complex themes and ideas in a condensed and powerful way.
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statement about “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
TopicQuestionThesis Statement
1. Nature vs. CivilizationHow does the jar symbolize the conflict between nature and civilization?In “Anecdote of the Jar,” Wallace Stevens explores the tension between the natural world and human civilization through the symbolism of a simple jar placed in the wilderness.
2. Symbolism of the JarWhat is the significance of the jar’s presence in the wilderness?The jar in “Anecdote of the Jar” serves as a powerful symbol of human intervention and its impact on the natural environment, highlighting themes of order, control, and transformation.
3. Perception of WildernessHow does the jar alter the perception of the wilderness?By juxtaposing the jar with the untamed wilderness, Stevens challenges traditional notions of natural beauty and raises questions about humanity’s role in shaping our understanding of the environment.
4. The Power of Human ImaginationWhat does the jar represent in terms of human creativity and imagination?Through the anecdote of the jar, Stevens explores the transformative power of human imagination, demonstrating how a simple object can change our perception of the world around us and assert dominance over nature.
Literary Works Similar to “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens

1.     “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams: This poem, like “Anecdote of the Jar,” focuses on the significance of everyday objects in shaping our perception of the world. Just as Stevens explores the transformative power of a simple jar, Williams celebrates the beauty and importance of a red wheelbarrow in the context of rural life.

2.     “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens: Another poem by Wallace Stevens, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” shares thematic similarities with “Anecdote of the Jar.” Both poems use imagery and symbolism to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural world, albeit through different lenses.

3.     “A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman: Walt Whitman’s poem “A Noiseless Patient Spider” delves into themes of isolation, connection, and the human experience. While it differs in subject matter from “Anecdote of the Jar,” it shares a focus on the individual’s relationship with their surroundings and the search for meaning in the universe.

4.     “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” explores themes of choice, uncertainty, and the passage of time. Like “Anecdote of the Jar,” it invites readers to contemplate the significance of decisions and their impact on the course of one’s life.

5.     “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost: Another poem by Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” shares with “Anecdote of the Jar” a focus on nature and human interaction with the natural world. Both poems evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation through their vivid imagery and evocative language.

Suggested Readings: “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
Books:
Articles:
  • Vendler, Helen. “The Sausage Maker.” The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 1993, pp. 140-146. Print.
  • Longenbach, James. “The World of Anecdote of the Jar.” The Wallace Stevens Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, Spring 1995, pp. 44-55. Print.
Weblinks:
  • “Anecdote of the Jar.” Modern American Poetry, modernamericanpoetry.org/poem/anecdote-of-the-jar. Accessed 14 May 2024.
  • “Wallace Stevens.” Poetry Foundation, poetryfoundation.org/poets/wallace-stevens. Accessed 14 May 2024.
Representative Quotations from “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
QuotationContextTheoretical Perspective
“I placed a jar in Tennessee” (line 1)The speaker begins by stating their action of placing a jar in a specific location.Imperialism and Colonialism: The speaker’s action represents the imposition of human order on the natural world, echoing the colonialist impulse to dominate and control.
“The wilderness rose up to it” (line 5)The wilderness responds to the presence of the jar by rising up to meet it.Structuralism and Symbolism: The wilderness represents the untamed and unstructured natural world, while the jar serves as a symbol for human order and control.
“The jar was round upon the ground” (line 7)The jar is described as being round and situated on the ground.Modernism and the Crisis of Representation: The jar’s roundness and presence on the ground create a sense of simplicity and clarity, challenging traditional notions of representation and meaning.
“It took dominion everywhere” (line 9)The jar has taken control and dominance over the surrounding environment.Postcolonialism and Power Dynamics: The jar’s dominance represents the power dynamics between human-made objects and the natural world, highlighting the tension between control and submission.
“It did not give of bird or bush” (line 11)The jar does not provide a habitat or sustenance for natural elements like birds or bushes.Ecocriticism and Environmentalism: The jar’s lack of connection to the natural world highlights the disconnection between human-made objects and the environment, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable relationship.

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