Wallace Stevens' "Whole Harmonium"

Although many scholars have examined various elements of the poetry of Wallace Stevens, "this author views the whole of Stevens' work as one grand poem rather than as a compilation of separate pieces. Such a view of Stevens' work allows Dr. Blessing to focus upon what he considers the central problem for Stevens - that of finding an adequate symbol to represnet the complexity of modern life. His theme throughout is: if the relationship between man and his world is organic, complex, ever-changing, and totally dynamic, only a work of art which shares these qualities can hope to symbolize successfully the flowing experience that is modern life..."