The Relationship Between Nature and Humanity in Stevie Smith’s and Karl Shapiro’s Poems

The Relationship Between Nature and Humanity in Stevie Smith’s and Karl Shapiro’s Poems

Both Stevie Smith and Karl Shapiro use nature as a powerful force in their poetry, though they use it in different ways to explore humanity’s relationship with the world. Stevie Smith often uses natural imagery to reflect on the inner life of her characters. In poems like “The Duck”, nature serves as a backdrop for the existential reflections of the protagonist, offering a metaphorical exploration of the human condition. Smith’s use of animals and natural elements often speaks to the human experience, with nature acting as a mirror for personal or emotional states.

Shapiro’s use of nature, however, is often more direct, particularly in relation to human suffering and survival. In poems like “The Fly”, Shapiro uses nature to reflect on the mundane and the tragic aspects of life, particularly in the context of war. The natural world, in Shapiro’s work, is often harsh and indifferent, serving as a backdrop for the human struggle against forces beyond individual control. His portrayal of nature can sometimes feel bleak, focusing on how humans are affected by the larger, uncontrollable forces in the world.

While Stevie Smith’s nature imagery is often whimsical or reflective, Shapiro uses nature to underscore human vulnerability. In Smith’s work, the natural world becomes a place of metaphor and introspection, helping to reveal the emotional and psychological states of the characters. Her treatment of nature suggests that the natural world is an integral part of understanding human emotions, offering both comfort and disillusionment.

For Shapiro, nature is often a reminder of humanity’s frailty and the inevitable suffering individuals experience. His poems tend to highlight the stark contrast between human desires and the overwhelming power of the natural world. Shapiro’s natural imagery often carries a sense of finality, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the futility of human attempts to control or escape nature.

Comparison: While both poets engage with nature as a force that shapes human experience, Smith uses it as a metaphorical tool for self-exploration and existential reflection, whereas Shapiro uses nature to reflect the struggle and inevitable defeat humans face in the face of external forces.