1272: The Paper Nautilus by Marianne Moore - The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Summary

Summary of Episode 1272: "The Paper Nautilus" by Marianne Moore

Podcast Overview

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson and produced by American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, offers daily poetic reflections aimed at fostering a deeper connection with poetry. Episode 1272, released on January 14, 2025, features Marianne Moore's poem "The Paper Nautilus." This episode not only presents the poem but also delves into strategies for appreciating and understanding poetry, making it accessible to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Host’s Guidance on Embracing Poetry

In the opening segment of the episode, Major Jackson acknowledges the common apprehensions surrounding poetry. Recognizing that many listeners find poetry "daunting" and potentially "pretentious," Jackson seeks to demystify the experience, encouraging listeners to engage with poetry in a more approachable manner.

Treat Poetry Like a Roller Coaster ([00:15])

Jackson compares reading poetry to enjoying a roller coaster ride, emphasizing that one doesn't need to comprehend all the intricate details ("laws of physics") to appreciate the thrill. She states:

"You may not know the laws of physics, but it does not prevent you from enjoying the ride."

This analogy underscores the value of experiencing the emotional and sensory aspects of poetry without the pressure of deciphering every layer of meaning.
Embrace Ambiguity and Experience ([00:45])

Highlighting poetry's inherent ambiguity, Jackson advises listeners to focus on the feelings elicited by the words rather than striving for a concrete interpretation. She quotes a famous poet:

"A poem should not mean but be that is, poetry is written to be experienced as language rather than examined like bacteria where uncertainty exists."

This perspective encourages an experiential approach, where the beauty lies in the sounds, imagery, and personal insights drawn from the poem.
Engage in Inner Voyages ([01:30])

Poetry, according to Jackson, serves as a journey within oneself. She describes how poems "meander, slow us down, take their sweet time," facilitating introspection and cultivating attention. Jackson shares a personal anecdote:

"A childhood friend, Dina, wrote me to say that she and some girlfriends shared a poem featured on the Slowdown between them. It was a week of back and forth over text. As a shared experience, a poem can be binding when we help each other hear its wisdoms."

This highlights poetry's role in fostering connections and shared understanding among individuals.
Appreciate Poetry’s Metafictional Nature ([02:30])

Jackson notes that poetry often reflects on itself as an art form. In today's episode, the poem "The Paper Nautilus" employs the image of an octopus and its egg sac as a metaphor for creativity. This metafictional approach invites listeners to contemplate the very act of poetic creation.

Exploration of "The Paper Nautilus" by Marianne Moore

Following her insightful guidance, Major Jackson presents Marianne Moore's "The Paper Nautilus." The poem intricately weaves imagery and metaphor to explore themes of creation, preservation, and the delicate balance between fragility and strength.

Imagery and Metaphor

The poem describes the "paper Nautilus," a delicate construct resembling an octopus's shell-like egg sac. This fragile creation serves as a "perishable souvenir of hope," highlighting the transient nature of artistic endeavors. Jackson reads:

"The paper Nautilus constructs her thin glass shell, giving her perishable souvenir of hope, a dull white outside and smooth edged inner surface glossy as the sea."
Symbolism of the Creator

The poet portrays the creator as a vigilant guardian, "guarding day and night" and sustaining herself solely for the sake of her creations:

"She scarcely eats until the eggs are hatched, buried Eightfold in her eight arms, for she is in a sense a devil fish."

This depiction symbolizes the artist's dedication and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of creative expression.
Interplay of Strength and Vulnerability

The poem juxtaposes the delicate nature of the Nautilus with references to mythological strength, such as Hercules. This contrast underscores the inherent vulnerability in the creative process:

"Freight is hid but is not crushed, as Hercules, bitten by a crab loyal to the Hydra, was hindered to succeed."
Themes of Love and Trust

Concluding the poem, Moore emphasizes that "Love is the only fortress strong enough to trust to," suggesting that genuine connection and emotional investment are foundational to the creative act.

Insights and Reflections

Through "The Paper Nautilus," Marianne Moore encapsulates the fragility and resilience inherent in artistic creation. Major Jackson's presentation of the poem, coupled with his earlier advice, invites listeners to not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of poetry but also to engage deeply with its emotional and metaphorical layers.

Jackson's emphasis on experiencing poetry rather than dissecting it analytically aligns seamlessly with the themes of Moore's work, reinforcing the podcast's mission to make poetry a relatable and enriching daily ritual.

Conclusion

Episode 1272 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily masterfully blends practical advice for approaching poetry with a profound exploration of Marianne Moore's "The Paper Nautilus." Major Jackson's thoughtful guidance demystifies poetry, making it accessible and inviting listeners to embark on their own poetic journeys. By highlighting the interplay between form, emotion, and introspection, this episode exemplifies the podcast's commitment to fostering a deeper appreciation for the poetic arts.

For those seeking to incorporate poetry into their daily lives, whether during morning routines, nature walks, or evening reflections, this episode serves as both an inspiration and a guide, celebrating poetry's enduring capacity to illuminate the human experience.

Transcript

Major Jackson (0:00)

Foreign I'm Major Jackson and this is the Slowdown. Poetry can be daunting to read, I understand. Over the years I have heard many people state that it's just not their thing, that they prefer to attend a ball game, watch a favorite TV series, or hear live music. Poetry's inscrutability can be off putting, maybe even pretentious. I too dislike it, said a famous poet. For those who are new to poetry or wish to overcome their reticence, Here are a few 1. Treat poetry like a roller coaster. You may not know the laws of physics, but it does not prevent you from enjoying the ride. Poetry values ambiguity, and it is okay not to know all of its layers. There are poems that I cherish and could not tell you with great assuredness their meanings. I only know the feeling I experience saying the words out loud, the exuberance of hearing a phrase that I had never heard before. Another famous poet said, a poem should not mean but be that is, poetry is written to be experienced as language rather than examined like bacteria where uncertainty exists, accept it as such and relish what sounds, imagery and insights that are gleaned for you. The poem will be around a long time. You can return to it. Not giving in to the frustration of not knowing is a Buddhist value and lifelong skill. 2. Poetry encourages voyages, often within us. Sometimes where we go in hearts and minds is illuminating. Poems meander, slow us down, take their sweet time. They unfold sentences that are lush and giving. Poems cultivate attention. It's fun to track a poem alone or with friends, unpacking its references and discussing where we are taken inside ourselves. A childhood friend, Dina, wrote me to say that she and some girlfriends shared a poem featured on the Slowdown between them. It was a week of back and forth over text. As a shared experience, a poem can be binding when we help each other hear its wisdoms. 3 Finally, it helps to know that often the subject of poetry is poetry, as in today's poem, which uses the image of the Argonaut, an octopus and its shell like egg sac, as a metaphor for the creative act itself. The paper Nautilus by Marianne Moore for authorities whose hopes are shaped by mercenaries, writers entrapped by tea time fame and by commuters comforts not for these the paper Nautilus constructs her thin glass shell, giving her perishable souvenir of hope, a dull white outside and smooth edged inner surface glossy as the sea. The watchful maker of it guards it day and night. She scarcely eats until the eggs are hatched, buried Eightfold in her eight arms, for she is in a sense a devil fish. Her glass ramshorn cradled. Freight is hid but is not crushed, as Hercules, bitten by a crab loyal to the Hydra, was hindered to succeed. The intensively watched eggs coming from the shell free it when they are freed, leaving its wasp nest flaws of white on white and close laid ionic chitin folds like the lines in the mane of a Parthenon horse, round which the arms had wound themselves as if they knew. Love is the only fortress strong enough to trust to. The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web@arts.gov to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram at Slowdown Show SA.