In a Station of the Metro

Ezra Pound’s poem, “In a Station of the Metro” can be interpreted in two different ways. Although quite brief, one can interpret Pound’s poem as pro-modernity, arguing for a shift to modernism. In turn, many examples can also be used to show Pound’s poem as anti-modernity; taking a shift away from modernism.
In arguing for a pro-modernity poem, one must consider the title. Metros are crowded places that signify industrialization and urbanization. Although written many years ago, metro’s represented growth and popularity, as cars had yet to become popular. The faces and petals are one comparison that can be made for a modern movement. The “faces” are like “petals” on a tree; they have no identity, yet they are still beautiful. Petals are a bright and beautiful spot of nature, just as Pound considers the “faces” charming and radiant. The “faces” are apparitions and some kind of positive supernatural force. The supernatural can be interpreted as being ghostly, holy, or religious. The word “wet” seemed to signify an “expanding force” or growing population. Plants grow and expand when they are “wet,” just as populations tend to grow with enlarging industry.
As opposed to pro-modernity, Pound’s poem can also be interpreted as anti-modernity. Once again, the face and petal comparison can be made to support anti-modernity. Each “face” has lost their identity by being mixed with a “crowd” like “petals” are assorted on a flower. “The identity of individuals has been overrun in a world dominated by competitiveness, mass production, urbanization and industrialization. The “black bough” is a bleak picture showing pollution, corruption and crime in a modern environment. Through all of the urbanization, people have overlooked the importance of the original and beautiful environment. Pound is saying that the modern movement comes with a tolling cost, such as the destruction of nature due to “black” irritants. The “bough” can be compared to the earth, to the ugly world that humans have created. It seems as though the crowd has been blinded by the conveniences of modernization and industrialization. The crowd seems confused, lifeless and drawn away from a world that used to reflect simplicity, nature, peace, love and goodness.

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2)http://wirednewyork.com/times_square/images/times_square_25.jpg