Philosophy, "The Idea of Order at Key West"
Stevens approached philosophical ideologies in a way that was a bit different and a bit simpler from other poets and philosophers of the time. His philosophical expression in this poem is simple and centers on our internal and external struggles. Essentially, Sevens’ philosophy is all about perception. This perception includes our understanding of truth and reality. The external struggles pertain to the way they influence our minds and our mental perceptions. Our minds are powerful objects and, due to both internal and external stimuli, it can change how we perceive the reality around us.
The Overpowering Importance of Spiritualism, "The Idea of Order at Key West"
First, it’s essential to recognize that, in the context of this poem, the spirituality that Stevens utilizes in this poem is not necessarily the same as religion. Stevens’ obsession with the art of language and poetry positions poetry as the height of spirituality and the gateway between earth and heaven. Stevens firmly believed that poetry should help people feel closer to God; it should be a guide to spirituality and should help people understand better their relationship with God. In this way, Stevens almost suggests that poetry and poetic abilities are a form a religion, one that helps people grow in their spirituality and connection to God.
Literature as a Vessel for Nature, "The Idea of Order at Key West"
Stevens firmly believed that poetry was a powerful piece of literature and that a creative artist’s job extended far beyond the ability to string words together into a work that could be labeled “poetry.” Given his intense connection to and beliefs about nature, Stevens also firmly believed that it was the job of the poet and his/her poetry to connect readers to nature and the natural word. In this way, poetry, literature, and the creative writing process in general are of the upmost importance due to their ability to connect people to their environment and their natural feelings.
The Culture of Art, "The Idea of Order at Key West"
This poem describes the beautiful voice of a singer. Stevens makes the singer’s beauty and power searingly evident. He wanted to convey to his readers that, just like poetry and other forms literature, singing is a powerful and creative form of art. As with his other poems, Stevens emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and literature. In this poem, he is attempting to similarly convey that, just as poetry can change people’s lives, so too can singing. He applies this to the thoughts of art. Art—all forms, regardless of presentation—has transformative powers that are beyond our control. Art has the power and ability to change how we perceive the world and people around us. To Stevens, this is the most important and powerful aspect of art.
Existential Existence, "Of Modern Poetry"
As Stevens has stated and explored before, he didn’t believe that poetry should be used to explore superfluous and artificial ideas, such as love, drama, flowers, and/or beauty. Rather, he felt poets should confront the dangers and hardships of modern living in a serious and realistic way. He wanted poets to write about serious ailments of human consciousness. He wanted poets to write about real problems of existence and real beauty—which, of course, pertained more to realistic struggles and loss than love and flowers. Stevens urged his fellow poets to write about how we find beautiful things in life, rather than the beautiful things themselves. He wanted poets to write about how we find love, rather than love itself; how we find the beauty in flowers, rather than the flowers themselves.
Dissatisfaction, "Of Modern Poetry"
As with all of his other poems, there is a heavy spiritual presence in this film. Stevens firmly believed that art and poetry were of the upmost important value to society. Without either of these things, he felt, society would fall apart and crumble—doomed to spiral into heinous and unsavory deeds and thoughts. He therefore uses this poem to suggest that life can only be satisfying when we have a sense of spiritual fulfillment and trust in God. The dissatisfaction he refers to in his poem is therefore one of life. The torment, traumas, and anguish that are assailing our modern world can lead us to become dissatisfied with our lot in life. Stevens therefore urges his readers to find comfort in poetry and in God.
