"Ashbery's Forms of Attention" By Andrew DuBois
0Andrew DuBois' essay, "Ashbery's Forms of Attention," offers a compelling exploration of John Ashbery's unique approach to poetry and the concept of attention. Ashbery, a renowned American poet, is celebrated for his enigmatic and often elusive verse. DuBois delves into the intricacies of Ashbery's work, arguing that his poetry demands a distinct form of attention from the reader. In this literary analysis, we will examine DuBois' discussion of Ashbery's poetic style, his notion of "negative capability," and the engagement of the reader's mind.DuBois opens his essay by highlighting the complexity of Ashbery's poetry. He characterizes Ashbery's work as "poetry's poetry" because it self-consciously foregrounds its artifice, engaging readers in a process of interpretation. Ashbery's poems resist easy categorization, making them, as DuBois asserts, "impossible to summarize." This deliberate elusiveness challenges traditional notions of what a poem should be and how it should be read. DuBois suggests that Ashbery's poetry demands a more active and participatory form of attention from the reader.One of the central concepts in DuBois' analysis is "negative capability," a term borrowed from John Keats. Negative capability, as DuBois explains, refers to a poet's capacity to exist in a state of uncertainty and ambiguity without pursuing easy resolutions. Ashbery, according to DuBois, embodies this concept in his poetry. His work resists didacticism and the desire for neat conclusions, instead inviting readers to embrace ambiguity and engage in open-ended interpretation. In this way, Ashbery's poetry aligns with Keats' idea that "a poem should involve the reader in an act of discovery."DuBois delves further into the idea of "negative capability" by discussing Ashbery's poem "Some Trees." In this poem, Ashbery presents an image of a "beautiful untruth" that captures the essence of his poetry's ambiguous and elusive nature. He describes a scene of nature with subtle, enigmatic touches, leaving readers to ponder the meaning and significance of these "untrue" elements. In this way, Ashbery invites readers to engage with the poem on a deeper level, encouraging them to grapple with the uncertainty and complexity of the world.DuBois also examines the idea of "attention" in Ashbery's work. He argues that Ashbery's poetry demands a heightened form of attention from readers, one that goes beyond simply decoding the surface meanings of words. Ashbery's poems, with their shifting perspectives and layered allusions, require readers to be alert and open to multiple interpretations. DuBois contends that this form of attention is akin to the mindfulness practiced in meditation, where one is attuned to the present moment without judgment or attachment to specific outcomes. In the context of Ashbery's poetry, this attention is characterized by a suspension of expectations and a willingness to explore the text's complexities.Furthermore, DuBois asserts that Ashbery's poetry is deeply concerned with the act of reading itself. He describes Ashbery as a poet who "thinks through his reading," emphasizing the importance of the reader's engagement with the text. Ashbery's poems often reference other works of literature, creating intertextual connections that require readers to draw upon their own literary knowledge. In this way, Ashbery's poetry becomes a conversation with the reader, inviting them to actively participate in the creation of meaning.DuBois' analysis of "Ashbery's Forms of Attention" underscores the idea that Ashbery's poetry challenges conventional notions of poetry and the reader's role. It calls for a unique mode of attention, one that embraces uncertainty, engages with the act of reading, and maintains an openness to multiple interpretations. By exploring the concept of "negative capability" and its application in Ashbery's work, DuBois sheds light on the enigmatic nature of Ashbery's poetry and its profound impact on the way we read and engage with literature. Ultimately, this essay invites readers to approach Ashbery's poetry with a receptive and open mind, ready to explore the rich tapestry of meanings and associations it offers.