How Does Stevens View Of Death

Wallace Stevens, from The Owl in the Sarcophagus

Wallace Stevens is making the claim that modern death is, rather than a black and white construct, an abstract and convoluted “mythology” (Stevens, 1). Stevens claims that the imagery associated with death is created solely by the human mind. When we think of death, as humans we imagine darkness and fear; however that is how we have decided to picture the concept of death. We choose to see it as some sort of dreaded event, one that is inevitable, and so we must cope with this by viewing death as dark and dreadful. When picturing death, we imagine “monsters of elegy,” (Stevens, 2) and “beings of the mind,” (Stevens, 8) that await us just as we are about to die. When we see the “light-bound space

He references the “light-bound space of the mind, the floreate flare” (Stevens, 9), which contrasts his earlier depictions of how we view death, that being a space filled with “monsters” (Stevens, 2) and “beings” (Stevens, 8). By creating this light and dark contrast, this allows Stevens to show the different ways in which we can view death, not as a dark and dreaded event but as a space of light and prosperity. The various ways we can see death help strengthen Stevens’ claim that death is abstract and convoluted. Since images of death are created by the human mind, the concept of death can be interpreted however one chooses to do so, and that is what makes the modern day, black and white version of death a

Through his descriptions of the two characters, he shows that the two characters, both Gregor and his sister, are different not only in their physical appearance, but in their personal level of value. Kafka explains how Gregor is covered in dust, fluff, and “remnants of food,” (8) as he laid there on the ground. Covered in dust, he crawls closer to his sister, lowering his head in hopes of his eyes meeting hers. Kafka portrays this vivid image of Gregor who is a tiny, dirty insect, however he then contrasts Gregor with his sister. He writes that his sister plays her music beautifully, specifically mentioning how she tilts her face to the side, “her eyes follow[ing] the notes of music” (Kafka, 13-14). Kafka paints Gregor’s sister as this serene, elegant being that Gregor connects with through the music that she plays. Kafka mentions Gregor having to “lower his head to the ground” (Kafka, 14) in hopes that “his eyes [] meet hers” (Kafka, 15). Notice that in this scenario, Gregor must lower his head, almost like he is bowing to show respect to his sister. Kafka mentions this to create a disparity in the two characters' level of value, or their social class. Gregor, a tiny insect with dust covering his body, is moved by his sister's playing of music, and hopes to lock eyes with the one he admires. Gregor hopes for his sister to look at him, whereas Gregor’s sister does not even