Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wallace Stevens? "Paisant Chronicle" is a reflective meditation on humanity, individuality, and the concept of the "major man." Through a layered poetic structure, Stevens explores themes of bravery, endurance, and the interplay between ordinary human lives and the elevated constructs of mythic or heroic figures. The poem delves into the nature of collective human existence, juxtaposing the everyday lives of individuals with the grand, often artificial narratives that define human aspirations and achievements.

The poem opens with a declaration: “What are the major men? All men are brave. / All men endure.” This egalitarian assertion establishes a baseline of shared human qualities. Bravery and endurance are presented as universal traits, intrinsic to the human condition. Stevens aligns these attributes with the fundamental act of living, emphasizing the resilience required to navigate the complexities of existence. However, the introduction of the “great captain” complicates this democratic vision. The captain is described as “the choice of chance,” suggesting that leadership or greatness often arises from arbitrary circumstances rather than inherent superiority.

Stevens then turns to the concept of legacy and remembrance. The “most solemn burial” is characterized as “a paisant chronicle,” an account of ordinary, rural lives. Here, the term “paisant” (peasant) underscores the poem’s focus on the common man. By elevating the chronicles of everyday individuals to the status of solemnity, Stevens challenges hierarchical notions of worth. The “chronicle of humanity” becomes “the sum of paisant chronicles,” suggesting that the collective narrative of humankind is rooted in the aggregation of individual, unremarkable lives.

The poem contrasts this collective chronicle with the idea of the “major men,” a category Stevens sets apart as “different.” These figures are described as “characters beyond reality, composed thereof,” existing simultaneously as part of and apart from ordinary human experience. The “major men” are “artificial men,” constructs shaped by imagination and myth. They represent an aspiration toward something greater than the mundane, embodying ideals and possibilities beyond the reach of the average individual. Yet, Stevens problematizes this elevation by pointing to their artifice—these figures are “nothing in which it is not possible / To believe,” blending reality and fiction in a way that makes them compelling yet inherently unreal.

The distinction between the “casual hero” and the “major man” further illuminates Stevens’ perspective. The casual hero, exemplified by figures like Molière’s Tartuffe, is grounded in specific cultural and artistic contexts. In contrast, the “major man” transcends such particularities, representing a universal archetype. However, Stevens resists reducing these figures to abstract ideals. Instead, he situates them within tangible, everyday settings, as in the line: “He may be seated in a cafe. / There may be a dish of country cheese / And a pineapple on the table.” This vivid image anchors the “major man” in a scene of ordinary life, reinforcing the tension between the extraordinary and the commonplace.

The baroque poet’s perspective introduces another layer of complexity. Stevens notes that such a poet might see the “major man” as an abstraction, akin to Virgil’s stylized portrayals. Yet, he urges the reader to “see him for yourself,” emphasizing the subjective and interpretive nature of engaging with these figures. This invitation underscores the poem’s exploration of how humanity constructs and interacts with its heroes, suggesting that the “major man” is as much a product of individual imagination as of collective myth-making.

"Paisant Chronicle" ultimately reflects on the paradox of human greatness. While all men are inherently brave and enduring, the “major men” emerge as embodiments of collective aspirations and ideals. Yet, their artificiality and reliance on belief challenge the permanence of their significance. Stevens balances this tension by grounding his poetic meditation in the lives of ordinary individuals, whose collective experiences form the foundation of humanity’s narrative. Through this interplay of the ordinary and the extraordinary, Stevens invites readers to consider the nature of greatness, the role of imagination, and the enduring power of shared human resilience.

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