Final Exam GretaVanVegan 3rd Pd

Introduction

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” , "Kubla Khan" is a Romantic poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published in 1816. It's renowned for its lush imagery and exploration of the creative process. Coleridge claimed to have written it after waking from an opium-induced dream, and he famously stated that he couldn't recall the remaining lines due to a distraction. The poem is considered one of the masterpieces of English Romantic literature, reflecting the era's fascination with nature, imagination, and the supernatural.

Summary of Element One - Magical Realism

Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" stands as a timeless testament to the power of magical realism, weaving a tapestry of enchantment that captivates readers with its lush imagery and otherworldly narrative. At its core, the poem is an evocation of the mythical pleasure-dome of Kubla Khan, a place where the boundaries between the real and the fantastical are blurred, and the ordinary coexists with the extraordinary. From the outset, Coleridge transports the reader to this ethereal realm, describing Xanadu as a "stately pleasure-dome" surrounded by "gardens bright with sinuous rills," conjuring a landscape that is at once vividly real and dreamlike in its beauty. Central to the poem's magical realism is the river Alph, which flows "through caverns measureless to man / Down to a sunless sea." Here, Coleridge imbues the natural world with a sense of mystery and wonder, suggesting that the river's journey symbolizes the unknowable depths of the human psyche or the vastness of the universe itself. The "sunless sea" evokes a sense of the primordial, hinting at the existence of forces beyond human comprehension, while the image of the "ancestral voices prophesying war" adds an element of foreboding, as if the landscape itself possesses a consciousness that transcends time.Moreover, the introduction of the "damsel with a dulcimer" and her "song of paradise" introduces a supernatural element to the narrative, blurring the lines between reality and myth. In her presence, the landscape becomes imbued with a sense of magic, as if the very air resonates with the strains of her music. Through her, Coleridge suggests that the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural are permeable, and that the human imagination has the power to transform the world around us into something extraordinary. Coleridge's use of rich symbolism further enhances the magical realism of "Kubla Khan," as he imbues ordinary objects with profound meaning. The contrast between the "sunless sea" and the "lifeless ocean" symbolizes the dichotomy between the vibrant, fertile aspects of life and the desolate, barren wastelands of the soul. Likewise, the "ancestral voices" and the "caverns measureless to man" evoke a sense of the ancient and the eternal, suggesting that the landscape is imbued with a history and a significance that transcends the passage of time. "Kubla Khan" is a testament to Coleridge's genius as a poet and his mastery of the magical realism genre. Through his use of surreal imagery, dreamlike narrative, and rich symbolism, he creates a world that is at once familiar and fantastical, inviting readers to explore the depths of the human imagination and the mysteries of the universe. In doing so, he reminds us that the line between reality and fantasy is often more porous than we might imagine, and that the world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered.

Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)

Both Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" intertwine elements of magical realism with themes of loss, nostalgia, and fragmented memories. In "Somebody That I Used to Know," the surreal portrayal of a past relationship, where the protagonist literally becomes invisible and gradually fades away, captures the ethereal nature of memory and emotional detachment. Similarly, Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" delves into a dreamlike landscape where the poet recounts a vision of an exotic and mystical realm, blending reality with imagination in a way that transcends conventional boundaries. Both works explore the fluidity of perception and the haunting power of memory, inviting the audience into a realm where the lines between the real and the imagined blur with enchanting ambiguity.

My Take - Magical Realism in both Somebody That I Used to Know and Kubla Khan demonstrate how creativity and whimsy can transform writing from being mediocre and bland to an emotion provoking piece of art.

Summary of Element Two -Maximalism

"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge stands as a monumental work of maximalism within the realm of poetry, with intense imagery, symbolism, and thematic depth that spans the reaches of imagination. In this enigmatic piece, Coleridge embarks on a journey through the mystical realms of Xanadu, the legendary palace of Kubla Khan. From the "stately pleasure-dome" to the "caverns measureless to man," every line bursts forth with a profusion of detail and sensory richness, painting a portrait of a world steeped in opulence and wonder. Through his intricate descriptions, Coleridge invites readers to immerse themselves in a landscape where nature and artifice intertwine, where "ceaseless turmoil seething" and "mighty fountain[s] momently... burst" with life and vitality. The poem's grandiose language and elaborate phrasing serve not only to evoke a sense of awe but also to convey the boundless power of the human imagination. As Coleridge delves deeper into the realms of fantasy, he explores themes of creativity, transcendence, and the interplay between reality and the subconscious. The poem becomes a testament to the transformative potential of art, as Coleridge harnesses the full breadth of his poetic prowess to transport readers beyond the confines of ordinary experience. With each stanza, "Kubla Khan" unfolds like a dream unfurling its wings, embracing the chaos and beauty of the unknown. In its embrace of excess and its unbridled celebration of the fantastical, Coleridge's masterpiece stands as a testament to the power of maximalism in literature, reminding us of the boundless depths of human imagination and the endless possibilities of the written word.

Links to Postmodern Media Source

Elissa Bassist's "Writer Math" and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" both explore the realm of creativity through their distinct yet interconnected approaches. In "Writer Math," Bassist employs maximalism to capture the chaotic and expansive nature of the creative process, where every word counts and every idea is worth exploring. This maximalist approach mirrors the abundance of imagery and sensory detail found in Coleridge's "Kubla Khan." In Coleridge's poem, the infusion of magical realism transports the reader to a dreamlike world where reality and imagination are one in the same, much like the boundless possibilities encountered in the act of writing. Both works celebrate the richness of creativity, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the labyrinthine landscapes of the human mind.

My Take - The maximalism shown in Kubla Khan and Writer Math are both equally intense in their use of maximalism but end up with two complete opposite results. Kubla Khan leaves the audience with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder whilst Writer Math describes the darkness of burn out and harsh mindset of a procrastinator

Conclusion

Throughout the history of literature we see countless authors grasping to connect to the audience a specific message or story but the beauty of postmodern literature and art simply aim to allow the reader to merely feel. Whether the feeling is whimsy, despair or just plain discomfort, the objective is just to feel and merely be human and experience what this vast world has to offer. And I think I love this notion because it connects us back to the roots and purpose of literature and language. Language is just our vehicle to transport different experiences and emotions to other humans in an attempt to to understand one and other.

Works Cited

“Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge | Poetry Foundation.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43991/kubla-khan.

“Writer Math.” McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/writer-math.

“In Xanadu.” Jahroc Galleries , illustrated by John McIntosh, www.jahroc.com.au/artists/john-mcintosh/john-mcintosh-in-xanadu.

Gotye Music. “Gotye- Somebody That I Used to Know.” YouTube, youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY?si=apjOfhoCiZvrZy3F. Accessed 10 May 2024.

“Happy Art GIF.” Giphy , 2 Aug. 2021, media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExM3Q0cmoxam5sNjIyNHhuZDZsOTYwYTBjZmVhenZzYTFvcXIybTc1MyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/KK7q2HfywXj584ISIy/giphy.gif.