Precedent Poetic Colorism in the 20th Century: S. Heaney and A. Kushner

Abstract

The vocabulary of color holds a significant place in artistic expression, particularly in poetic texts, where it serves as both an image and a symbol. Despite its prevalence, the multidimensional analysis of how poets utilize color remains underexplored. This article investigates coloristic motifs in the works of two distinguished poets: Seamus Heaney, the Irish Nobel Prize winner, and Alexander Kushner, a prominent Russian poet. Both poets, representing the same historical epoch, experienced the hardships of war and oppressive political systems, yet their works reflect a profound love for life. The study focuses on identifying words with color semantics and defining coloristic motifs within their poetry. Methodologically, it employs qualitative analysis to interpret the meanings of colors, a descriptive approach to highlight the distinctive features of S. Heaney’s and A. Kushner’s poetic styles, and analytical methods, including semiotic analysis, to compare and synthesize findings. By closely examining their works, the research aims to uncover patterns in their use of color and to draw conclusions about the symbolic and aesthetic roles of coloristic elements. This analysis not only enriches the understanding of S. Heaney’s and A. Kushner’s poetry but also contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between color, symbolism, and poetic expression.