Gary Snyder

For the past week, we have been reading chapters from one of his books and poetry by Gary Snyder. Gary Snyder is well known for being an American poet, essayist, and environmental activist and is associated with the Beat generation along with his peer, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, and William Burroughs. His environmental activism can clearly be seen with just a short glance at any piece of his writing. Without even knowing who he is, I took one look at his writing and I knew he was all about the environment. Snyder’s writing is like nothing I have ever read and I am not sure how I feel about it. 

In my opinion, Snyder’s work is difficult to read and to understand.  The reader must really dig deep to find the true meaning of his writing. There were many common themes found in his writing though. To me, there seemed to be a bit of Buddhist influence in the spirituality and nature. Buddhism is a religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Buddha. Buddhists believe in reaching enlightenment, which is what most of the Beat Generation writings are working towards.

In the poems that we recently read and analyzed in class, my group came to the conclusion that Snyder encompasses a lot of emphasis on the passing of knowledge and circular time instead of linear. In his writings, Snyder spends a great deal of time writing about life cycles. We took this to mean that it is important to him and it is one of his beliefs. Snyder doesn’t necessarily belief in life having a beginning and an ending; there is no life and death in his world. Instead, he believes in a sort of circular time, not linear. Snyder places strong emphasis on the passing down of knowledge. It is the most important thing. This could especially be seen in his poem “Axe Handles”.  The following excerpt explains this thought:

                        And I see: Pound was an axe,

                        Chen was an axe, I am an axe

                        And my son a handle, soon

                        To be shaping again, model

                        And tool, craft of culture,

                        How we go on. 

            The passing down of knowledge or in the examples sake the axe and handle is part of the circle of life. Without passing down information life could not continue. Another example that demonstrates this belief is seen in the poem “For/From Lew:”

                                    What I came to say was,

                                    Teach the children about the cycles.

                                    The life cycles. All the other cycles.

                                    That’s what its all about, and its all forgot.

The previous excerpt showcases Snyder’s belief on passing down knowledge. The writer is saying to teach the children about the cycles of life. This is because children are the future of our world.

Though Snyder’s writing is extremely hard to read and understand, once you get the gist of his meanings, it is thoroughly enjoyable. I have never been a fan of poetry but I like the meanings behind Snyder’s poems.