Toward Octavio Paz: A Reading of His Major Poems, 1957-1976

200 Pages·2014·10.233 MB·English

by  John M. Fein

Toward
Octavio Paz
This page intentionally left blank
Toward.
Octavto Paz
A Reading of
His Major Poems
1957-1976
JOHN M. FEIN
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY
Copyright © 1986 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine College, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
The Filson Club, Georgetown College, Kentucky
Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
Editorial and Sales Offices: Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0024
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fein, John M., 1922-
Toward Octavia Paz.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
l. Paz, Octavio, 1914- -Criticism and
interpretation. I. Title.
PQ7297.P285Z727 1986 861 85-29417
ISBN: 978-0-8131-5246-2
To the memory of Amado Alonso,
whose seminar opened students' eyes
to poetry in Spanish
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Acknowledgments
Vlll
Note on Texts
IX
1. Introduction 1
2. Piedra de sol: The Divided Circle 11
3. Salamandra: The Subject Itself 41
4. Blanco: Multiple Meanings 64
5. Ladera este: Polarities 95
6. Pasado en clara: The Poem Itself 120
7. Vuelta: Toward Silence 145
8. Conclusion 170
Notes 175
Bibliography 181
Index 187
Acl<nowledgments
I
am deeply indebted to three friends who were
generous with their time and helpful in their suggestions for
improving the manuscript: Professors Andrew Debicki of the
University of Kansas, Wallace Fowlie of Duke University, and
James Holloway of Dalhousie University. The criticism and
encouragement of my son, David, a professor at the University
of North Carolina at Greensboro, make me both humble and
proud. I can only hope that this book responds to some of their
reccmmendations successfully.
Nate on Texts
Unless otherwise indicated, I have relied on the
latest edition of Paz's collected poetry (Poemas, 1979) for refer
ences to his texts. In order to minimize quotations, I have
assumed that my readers will have the texts at hand and that
they may wish to number the lines. Chapters 4, 6, and 7 (except
for "A vista de pajaro," "Palabras en forma de tolvanera," and
"Anotaciones I Rotaciones") utilize the translations of Config
urations and A Draft of Shadows, for which I thank their
publisher, New Directions. All other translations are my own.