The Poetic Discourse in the Work of J.R. Jiménez

Abstract

This paper analyses the poetic discourse in the work of J.R. Jiménez. Certain extracts from the poem «Espacio» and several verses from the «Eternidades» collection are concerned. Despite the differences in form and style, both prove the Time-concept to be relevant in the author’s work and show affinity in key points. All of them pass over the every-day life concepts. Thus, the author remains Poet every second. The poetry is a sort of a shield for Jiménez in his fight against death and oblivion. His capacity to perceive the nameless things makes his poetic discourse true. In the «Eternidades» one can find rhythm, but no rhyme. In the «Espacio» which is blank verse, Jiménez feels free from formal rules and restrictions. It helps him to translate his pure stream of consciousness into text. Thus, his poetic discourse becomes entirely introspective, and the concept of Consciousness appears to be its key point. Both groups of verses and fragments use common «tricks» that influence reader’s mind in a particular way as they break the linear flow of time. These «tricks» include peculiar use of deictic elements as well as figures of style such as anaphora, paronomasia, polyptoton, etc. The metaphor of dream is of particular importance as it reflects the poetic reality. The trembling drop metaphor is no less significant as is symbolizes the elusive Inspiration. A natural combination of Neoplatonism and Pantheism, of carnivalesque and mystic elements — all that through Time and Consciousness — marks Jiménez as one of the most outstanding writers in human history.