스티븐스 시에 나타난 최상의 허구를 위한 통합

The Unity for Supreme Fction in "Notes toward a Supreme Fiction"

This paper aims to explore the unity of two opposite things in a poem, "Notes toward a Supreme Fiction." Stevens presents three propositions to fulfill the Supreme Fiction. They are "It Must be Abstract," "It Must Change," and "It Must Give Pleasure." There are some significant elements for the supreme fiction. In "It Must be Abstract", "Abstract," "first idea," and "major man" are important ideas for the supreme fiction. The first step, Stevens argues, for the supreme fiction is, the poet should annihilate all existing fictions. The abstract does not exist, but it is certainly immanent. That is to say, the fictive abstract is immanent in the mind of the poet. "First idea" is obtained only by those who have a fictive abstract. "Major man" who has first idea and abstract is essential to complete the supreme fiction. In "It Must Change," change is the process of becoming and it is part of the act of imagination, by which we can perceive the world and reality. In "It Must Give Pleasure," Stevens believes that men have a strong desire to know everything and they name things for the purpose of their desire. Their naming is fiction, for they are not the things themselves. But Stevens knows that to fulfill the desire for knowledge is impossible and he cherishes the fluid moments when we create poems. This study aiming on some aspects of unity of "Notes toward a Supreme Fiction" shows another perspective of his major concerns. His poetry plays a great role in giving man and the world truth as a belief and pleasure in life. Even though the supreme fiction cannot be reached, the effort to fulfill it is so cherishable that it is always toward our spirits and bodies.