Stafford's "Traveling Through the Dark": A Formalistic Interpretation.
Poems can be considered forms of expression that allow the reader to explore the ultimate meaning behind everyday situations. William Stafford's "Traveling Through the Dark" is a wonderful example of a dilemma found today. This would be the effects humans have on nature and one man's self discovery of the value and meaning of all living things. The interpretation of this is gathered through form, diction, and unity found in this poem. From beginning to end, this poem gives the reader a strong feeling of shock that is designed to enlighten us to how we as humans can negatively affect nature.
The form of this poem is a narration that structures itself on four-line stanzas with an abrupt 3 line conclusion. Irregular in meter, the poem employs no rhyme scheme. It flows as coldly and methodically as the narrator's frame of mind, almost a necessity to accomplish his task at hand with the doe. Through this form, the reader walks away with the sensation that they have just experienced this encounter and conflict within themselves. .
The poem begins with the narrator "Traveling through the dark". Darkness here is used to suggest that the narrator is unaware of human's effect on nature. Throughout this poem, the darkness fades away and light slowly increases as his awareness is heightened. The illumination reaches its peak of brilliance upon discovery of the fawn. Also indicative of the moral dilemma, is the use of "swerve" or to turn aside from a straight course. In the beginning, his use of "swerve" was of concern for human life, whereas in the end, it's used in a more sympathetic way to the doe and her unborn fawn. Last of all, defining the tension within resulting from the loss of life and its cause is how "I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red". The meaning of "glare" being to stare fixedly and angrily, just as nature had quieted to listen and watch his response to the atrocity.