Roll UP Awnings

IT IS A RESPONSE ABOUT THE POEM AND THE PAINTING!

http://www.paintinghere.com/UploadPic/Edward%20Hopper/big/Early%20Sunday%20Morning.jpg

Somewhere in the next block
someone may be practicing the flute
but not here

where the entrances
to four stores are dark
the awnings rolled in

nothing open for business
Across the second story
ten faceless windows

In the foreground
a barber pole, a fire hydrant
as if there could ever again

be hair to cut
fire to burn
And far off, still low

in the imagined East
the sun that is again
right on time

adding to the Chinese red
of the building
despite which color

I do not believe
the day
is going to be hot

It was I think
on just such a day
it is on just such a morning

that every Edward Hopper
finishes, puts down his brush
as if to say

As important
as what is
happening

is what is not.

HERE IS THE RESPONSE:
Early Sunday Morning was painted by Edward Hopper in 1930. It is an oil on canvas and it is located in the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. The poem is also called “Early Sunday Morning” and was written by John Stone.
The poem includes literary devices in which display the painting in both an analytical and visually descriptive way. Without looking at the painting it may be quite easy to depict a street as the poet describes it thoroughly through out the poem. The four stores are described as well as the barber poll, fire hydrant and the appearance of the buildings. The poets uses words and phrases to make the viewer wonder. The line “Somewhere in the next block / someone may be practicing the flute / but not here” makes the reader wonder about what is going on outside the boxes of the painting. Things could be going on in the surrounding areas of these four stores. There may be a reason why they are closed. There may be a reason the painter did not show the events taking place near the stores. The poet makes many predictions and therefore confuses the reader at some points. “I do not believe / the day / is going to be hot” is an example of a prediction being made. This could be true, but also it may be false. Judging by the blue skies and the way in which the sun is reflecting from the buildings, one could suggest an argument against the poem. It is up to the viewers interpretation. The poem is relatively focusing on the poets interpretation on the painting. Edward Hopper’s interpretation could be the opposite for all the reader has knowledge of.
The painting was painted in 1930 therefore in the beginning of the depression. Due to the economical conditions several stores were shut down, this could explain the dark windows and the lack of people. Every store seems to be shut and possibly abandoned. To some extent, this is mentioned in the poem. The poem explorers interpretation of the painting and what could be around the stores. He does not thoroughly explain why the street is empty, but he does assume that Edward Hopper’s interpretation is what is not happening is just as, if not more, important that what is.
Another interpretation of the poem is that the reason the streets are abandoned is due to church. Church usually takes place on Sunday morning, therefore, in the 1930’s some businesses are shut during these hours and the citizens are off to church. This can be argued since Hopper was raised in a strict Baptist home. The painting could have a in depth display of religion and is unnoticed at first glance.
The painting as well as the poem give off a feeling of desolation and emptiness. This could also represent the way the painter was feeling while he was creating it. Originally he was going to place humans in the upper windows, but decided against it to raise suspicion. Maybe during this time Hopper was feeling depressed and lonely. The barber stand could represent a human figure. Hopper could have been feeling dissociated and possibly he could have lost a significant other.
All in all, the poem depicts the painting very well. They both have similar ambiances and the poem connects thoroughly with the painting.