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Question: How is the poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams considered good!?
here it is:

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I love this poem - I read it years ago, and it stuck in my mind!.

To me it tells of the juxtaposition of one thing to another - creating a telling image!. Without the white chickens, the wheelbarrow would go unnoticed, if it hadn't been raining - again it wouldn't have stood out!. So, each plays a part in creating some-thing memorable!. Raising up the ordinary, or mundane into something picturesque!.

I don't know what the official critique would be of this poem - these are just my observations!.

It also is perfect in the placing of the words on the page, creating pauses exactly just so to make you read each phrase at a certain pace!. Maybe even the mirroring of the two last phrases helps to create a memorable whole!.

The fact that there is no preamble, it just launches you into the poem also appeals to me!. It cuts out all unnecessary words!.


So, that's what makes it good for me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

First, examine how simple it is, how short and sweet it is!. It is a great example of modern poetry: Every word is essential, every line captures your eye in an instant of meaning, every stanza is a compact snapshot, every space intensifies the images of the words it surrounds!. You can learn a lot about the art of poetry by examining how its constructed, and because it is so short and seemingly simple (which it really isn't) you can enjoy yourself in a short amount of quality time --sort of like taking apart a puzzle, delighting in its secrets, and putting in back together with complete satisfaction!. Finally, try to write your own poem, using it as a model of inspiration!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've always enjoyed this poem!. Neruda and Williams are masters at imagery!. Think of it!.!.!.this silly poet sitting there, who may or may not have ever worked with his hands, and there sits a wheel barrow on some old farm!. some old farm with some old farmer, who uses it day in and day out to cart his bounty about!. it bears the load, without it!.!.!.what doesn't get done!? it's an interesting thought!.!.!.how we give inanimate objects life!. depend upon them!.

a pen is just a pen until it writes a masterpiece!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

first I don't get it and second hu!. i don't like it you need something like this:

“View From Up There”


I live on a cloud-personification
I see the people moving far and wide
I look around as if the world was round
For so many nights I have cried till my self confidence has died
My face is always a frown-metaphor-I am always sad
I hear the sounds of the world below beckoning me back down

I pretend to be happy
My face stays the same as if I was wearing a mask
I always feel crappy
I am a task
I am a nomad
I feel so mad

Once a day I am torn a part
I see the world from a different perspective
I express myself through my art
What gives!?
People say I talk all day
But I talk to hide the pain I want to say

I am as fragile as a spider’s web
I see the world as if I’m dead
The only people that care live on a cobweb
I lie sleepless in my bed
Wondering when my world will end
Do I have a single friend!?

It doesn't have to be that sad though!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree with granni--every part of it depends on each other It's simple, short and seemingly un-important, but it somehow draws the reader to the place through the parts that don't seem to matter!. It creates the scene in the minds eye!. I like it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I find it boring, but I don't really enjoy how Wiliams writes either!.Www@QuestionHome@Com