Hi all,
This week I discuss Neruda’s infatuation with womanly bodies, the connection between women and nature, solitude, loss, grief, and finding completion.
Question: Do you think that Neruda is referencing one woman in specific throughout his poems? Why or why not? If not, is he referring to numerous specific women in his life, or the feminine in general?
All the best!
Curtis HR
There’s some discussion as to which woman or women may have inspired these poems. I think at some point (much later) Neruda mentions that this is a composite of at least two women, one from his home town from Temuco, the other from Santiago.
Meanwhile, I like your reference to Jung, which seems appropriate… whether or not (or to whatever extent) this poetry is based on real, biographical experience, they work in so far as he can conjure up or tap into broader emotions and symbols that may be shared by others.
Hi Curtis ☺︎
I enjoy your video blog! Thank you for your contribution and effort!
To answer your question, I believed that Neruda was talking about one specific woman until I read Jon’s comments. Because he says I love “you” and “you” fill with everything, continuing with “she” loved me.
This love poetry collection demonstrated how women acted with the utmost respect toward men in old Chilean culture and that men should act as dominating figures toward women. I do not feel a strong attachment to his poems since it makes me frustrated and uncomfortable to read his portrayal of women and their bodies, such as “toy doll” or “I love your joyful body” (75).