One
of the passages that really stuck out to me about the form and content echoing
each other in Mallarme can be found on pages 172 and 173. To me, this passage,
by that I mean these two entire pages, represent what Mallarme is trying to do
with the white spaces and it really shines through the meaning of the words
themselves as well as their placement on the paper. This allows the words to
shine not only through their meaning but also by enhancing them by expressing
what they’re supposed to mean. For example, I think the best use of the space
on these pages is the last line where Mallarme wrote “in a flash of lighting.”
It’s only slightly lower than the other words and also slightly off to the
side. To me, it’s similar to when lightning strikes and everyone expects it but
still jumps. Similarly, on this page the first line “an utterly lost and lonely
quill” definitely exemplifies this idea. The words seem to float down the way a
quill would float down, similarly represented by the fact that the next word “except”
is slightly lower than the above mentioned words.
I think Mallarme’s poem is interesting because it uses the spaces in a way that most authors do not do. Most authors use a book as a means to an end: a way to get their ideas down in words so that they can share them with everyone. Most authors don’t necessarily consider how the words look or what sounds they make but choose them based on their meaning. Authors tend to consider, for example, the use of “enemy” vs. “antagonist” more based on what they mean, rather than their sounds. Mallarme is breaking this norm but instead focusing on the sounds of the words and how they look on paper rather than solely what they mean. In that regard, I feel that Mallarme’s A Dice Throw should be considered nonsense because the writing can be read as not making sense. While it is not as nonsensical as some of the other readings, it is not a typical writing style and/or form. Mallarme’s writing shows a break from the norm of writing and is taking it to a new level. Writing has been around throughout history, at least to some extent in almost every culture. Mallarme is taking this typical form of expression and enhancing it for himself and others. He is using white spaces in a very atypical way that helps bring out even more meaning and makes it different. Mallarme is attempting to help the evolution of writing to make it more relevant to today and enhancing it. Ultimately, I believe that the deeper meaning to take away from this writing is that one can always take things a step further and often create something new and unexpected, even though it’s so close to what is so common. It is definitely possible to read Mallarme’s A Dice Throw and not think about the spaces and what they’re doing, though one would be missing out on the deeper and true meanings found in the poem.
I think Mallarme’s poem is interesting because it uses the spaces in a way that most authors do not do. Most authors use a book as a means to an end: a way to get their ideas down in words so that they can share them with everyone. Most authors don’t necessarily consider how the words look or what sounds they make but choose them based on their meaning. Authors tend to consider, for example, the use of “enemy” vs. “antagonist” more based on what they mean, rather than their sounds. Mallarme is breaking this norm but instead focusing on the sounds of the words and how they look on paper rather than solely what they mean. In that regard, I feel that Mallarme’s A Dice Throw should be considered nonsense because the writing can be read as not making sense. While it is not as nonsensical as some of the other readings, it is not a typical writing style and/or form. Mallarme’s writing shows a break from the norm of writing and is taking it to a new level. Writing has been around throughout history, at least to some extent in almost every culture. Mallarme is taking this typical form of expression and enhancing it for himself and others. He is using white spaces in a very atypical way that helps bring out even more meaning and makes it different. Mallarme is attempting to help the evolution of writing to make it more relevant to today and enhancing it. Ultimately, I believe that the deeper meaning to take away from this writing is that one can always take things a step further and often create something new and unexpected, even though it’s so close to what is so common. It is definitely possible to read Mallarme’s A Dice Throw and not think about the spaces and what they’re doing, though one would be missing out on the deeper and true meanings found in the poem.
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