6.4 "Walking around" – Pablo Neruda

Context Behind "Walking Around"

Author Background

Time and Place

Societal Context

Need to Know About "Walking Around"

Characters

Literary Terms and Devices

• 🕊️ Verso libre (Free verse): The poem is written in verso libre, which is evident in its lack of a strict meter or rhyme scheme. Neruda's free verse style allows him to create a natural and unforced flow, enhancing the poem's emotional intensity and introspective tone. The absence of regular rhythmic patterns reflects the protagonist's inner turmoil and sense of restlessness, emphasizing the authenticity and rawness of their emotions.
• 📝 Enumeración (Enumeration): Throughout the poem, Neruda employs enumeración or enumeration, using lists of sensory details and objects to paint a vivid picture of the protagonist's surroundings and experiences. The enumeration of tailor shops, movie houses, barbershops, gardens, and elevators serves to highlight the character's growing disillusionment with the materialistic and consumer-driven aspects of society. This literary technique intensifies the sense of alienation and dissatisfaction that the protagonist feels in their environment.
• 🌟 Símbolo (Symbol): The poem abounds with symbolic elements that add depth to its themes. The "green knife" symbolizes the character's urge for radical change and liberation from societal constraints. The "half-frozen warehouse with corpses" serves as a symbol of emotional numbness and disconnection from the world. These symbols contribute to the poem's exploration of identity, existential angst, and the search for authenticity in an oppressive and materialistic society.
• 🖼️ Imagen (Imagery): Imagery plays a central role in the poem, as Neruda uses vivid sensory descriptions to evoke powerful emotions. The "water of wombs and ashes," "smell of barbershops," and "spectacles" create a rich sensory experience, heightening the reader's understanding of the protagonist's feelings of alienation and weariness. The imagery of "blood leading toward the night" and "dirty tears falling" intensifies the poem's emotional impact and adds a haunting quality to the character's internal struggles.
• 📚 Alusión (Allusion): The poem makes subtle allusions to various elements, suggesting deeper layers of meaning. The mention of "law clerks" and "nuns" alludes to the structures of authority and tradition that the protagonist desires to challenge. Additionally, the poem's title itself, "Walking Around," may allude to the brevity and urgency of the character's need to express their disillusionment and desires.
• 🔍 Asíndeton (Asyndeton): Asíndeton is used to create a sense of urgency and emotional intensity in the poem. The deliberate omission of conjunctions between phrases, such as "no more stores, no gardens, no more goods, no spectacles, no elevators," emphasizes the character's overwhelming desire to escape from the trappings of consumerism and societal expectations. This technique intensifies the character's internal conflict and the sense of detachment from their surroundings.
• ✅ Polisíndeton (Polysyndeton): In contrast to the use of asíndeton, Neruda also employs polisíndeton, where conjunctions are repeated, to add a rhythmic quality to the poem. For example, the phrase "my eyes, my shoes, my rage" enhances the emotional cadence, emphasizing the character's intense emotional state and sense of dissatisfaction. Polisíndeton contributes to the poem's emotional impact, providing a rhythmic contrast to the free verse style.
• 📈 Verosimilitud (Plausibility/Realism): While the poem presents abstract and emotional themes, it maintains verosimilitud or plausibility, making the protagonist's experiences relatable to readers. The portrayal of disillusionment with societal norms and the yearning for authenticity resonates with the human experience of questioning one's identity and purpose. The use of relatable imagery and emotions allows readers to connect with the poem's themes on a personal level, making it more impactful and believable.
• ⚖️ Antítesis (Antithesis): The poem incorporates antítesis or antithesis by contrasting the character's feelings of weariness and dissatisfaction with their desire for radical change. The protagonist's longing for authenticity and liberation stands in stark contrast to the mundane and conformist aspects of their life. This contrast between opposites enhances the poem's exploration of duality and existential tension.
• 🔃 Paradoja (Paradox): The poem's title itself presents a paradoxical statement, as the title suggests brevity while the poem delves into complex themes. The character's yearning to "lie still like stones or wool" while also expressing a desire for radical action creates a paradoxical tension within their psyche. The use of paradox adds depth to the character's internal conflict and underscores the complexity of human emotions.
• 🧩 Yuxtaposición (Juxtaposition): Neruda employs juxtaposition by placing contrasting images and emotions side by side. For instance, the "water of wombs and ashes" juxtaposes birth and death, representing the cyclical nature of life and the character's contemplation of existence. This literary device reinforces the theme of duality and adds richness to the poem's exploration of contrasting emotions and experiences.
• 🌈 Sinestesia (Synesthesia): The poem employs sinestesia or synesthesia, blending sensory experiences to evoke emotional responses. The protagonist's reaction to different things combines the sense of smell with sound, intensifying the character's emotional distress. Sinestesia contributes to the poem's vividness and emotional depth, enabling readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's inner world.

Summary of "Walking Around"

Analysis and Significance of "Walking Around"