Simon Ortiz's Poetry

Paper Summary:

The paper examines two poems by Simon Ortiz; "Earth and Rain, the Plants and Sun" and "Vision Shadows" and highlights how they share a common theme of the modern man's loss of true vision and his disconnectedness with nature. The paper illustrates the theme of the alienation caused by modernity in contrast to the liberating power of nature. The paper therefore shows how through his work, Ortiz tries to divert the modern man's attention to the essential aspects of life and to the natural state to which he rightfully belongs.

From the Paper:

"Acoma Pueblo Indian poet, Simon Ortiz, is one of the most remarkable Native American writers. His poetry is inspired by the spirit of the Native American culture in general. Ortiz' writings thus take on a special flavor, particular to the Indian tradition. Thus, his works are filled with descriptions of the natural elements in all their variegated forms: the earth, the sun, the plants, the animals. Overall, Ortiz' poetry envisages a way of experiencing life which is very different from the common modern experience. Ortiz emphasizes the need to return to the primeval state in which man felt deeply connected with everything in the universe, as a part of the whole and not merely as a separated, uprooted individuality. Even the ordinary, domestic experiences should be reintegrated in the greater cosmic order so as to be closer to the truth."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baym, Nina et all. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 6th edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2002.

More papers on Simon Ortiz's Poetry:

• Poem Review # 127170 : "Poetry Journals"
• Comparison Essay # 68003 : "Appreciation"
• Comparison Essay # 120057 : "The Apology for Poetry" and "Faerie Queene"

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