Transtromer Poetry Analysis

Nordic regions are renowned for their extraordinary geographical locations. Tranströmer’s birthplace is divided into two geographic domains; Northern and southern Sweden. As northern Sweden is within the Arctic Circle, it consists of long, cold winters. Subsequently, much of Sweden also stays dark for longer periods during the winter, along with longer lighter periods during the summer from the same reason. The subject of winter imagery is constantly apparent throughout Transtromer’s poetry. The severe cold of blizzards and their penetrating imprint on human life are present in many of Transtromer’s works. One of the dominant aspects that can be found in his poetry, are these recurring themes of harsh Nordic winter, filled with elements of

Winter and cold have a critical connection to loneliness, solitariness and grievance, yet at the same time they can be linked to an eerie silence, resulting from the cold descriptions that come with Transtromer’s Nordic environments. With ‘Six Winters’ Transtromer has created an array of scenes comprised of silence, yet contrasted heavily by the fact there are continuous storms in the background. The secluded, small stanzas as well as separated sentences encourage the reader to pay attention to every word and disallows for a smooth, rhythmic reading. They generally centre on a singular image, using surrealistic combinations of imagery, shown in the first stanza with “black hotel” and “wide-eyed dice” . The tone and atmosphere feels like that of a child 's nightmare, amplified by this use of a harsh and unforgiving winter night. The paradox of the dream/winter deepens with the ironical phrase "elite of the dead" as Katarina Churchyard was known for holding many prominent and powerful war figures. This militaristic imagery is another example that is emphasized with the Nordic winter, alluding to the armoured wind. Transtromer’s heavy contrasts and paradoxes are continued with the juxtaposition of "Gothic turned upside down" and a cow whose udders are made of icicles, resembling glass. The weather itself is dull and deserted, insinuating the very slow, draining toll that comes from these repetitive, stagnate winters. The “udders of glass” for example, paints a very dehumanising image of this draining effect mentioned above. Transtromer has created several scenes full of a cold silence to the extent of timelessness. The poem itself contains no movement, only several timeless events, beginning and ending with stillness. This is once again where Transtromer has created contrast with the Nordic