The Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock 
Wallace Stevens

The houses are haunted
By white night gowns. 
None are green, 
Or purple with green rings, 
Or green with yellow rings, 
Or yellow with blue rings. 
None of them are strange, 
With socks of lace
And beaded ceintures. 
People are not going
To dream of baboons and periwinkles. 
Only, here and there, and old sailor, 
Drunk and asleep in his boots, 
Catches Tigers
In red weather. 

I was first introduced to Wallace Stevens through this poem, and I still think that this poem is a great representation of Stevens' writing style, as well as his personality (although I suppose I'd have to travel back in time to truly learn about that). Throughout school, particularly high school, I have always felt that students are not given enough time to think. Thinking has always been a fundamental aspect of my life because I believe it is an outlet for the development of thoughts - whether it be creatively or analytically. Instead, ideas are drilled in our heads, and we are conditioned to perform tasks in a particular fashion, talk in a distinct way, and present ourselves in a uniform manner. It becomes increasingly difficult to stand out among the mass, and the majority of people opt to take the easy way out and succumb to the expectations of those around them - although their own beliefs may not align with those that surround them. 

So, what's the point? Why begin the discussion of this poem in such an odd way? Well - let's ask Wallace Stevens what he has to say about it. 

Reading through this poem for the first time, one may think it is silly or childish. Ironically, the poem is actually almost mocking the silly idea of conforming to what is around one's self. The speaker begins by talking about houses that are haunted by white night gowns. Note that house is plural, the poet is referring to more than one house, many for that matter, that are haunted by white night gowns. The use of the word haunted is meant to have a metaphorical effect and brings about a negative connotation to the word idea of a white nightgown. The poem then goes on to talk about how these houses are haunted by white nightgowns as OPPOSED to those of different colors (green, purple with green rings, green with yellow rings, etc.). Many lines of the poem are dedicated to describing the different colors that the nightgowns COULD be. With the use of bold and vibrant imagery, the poet highlights the way the current state of these houses appears by describing what it is not. These houses are not bright, colorful, and happy - they are dreary, dull, and sad. 

The speaker then claims that none of the white nightgowns that "haunt" the houses are strange in any way with odd lace or beads. They are simply white, no different from one another, with no remarkable quality that makes them special from the others. And because of this dullness in their clothing choice, the people will not be dreaming of the wild and creative, such as baboons periwinkles - perhaps they will not dream at all. The speaker claims that the only people that do dream of the imaginative (catching tigers in red weather) are sailors that are intoxicated. It is interesting to note that because sailors are out at sea very often, they are more isolated from the rest of the human world. Perhaps the speaker means that this isolation from the rest of society gives the individual a chance to be imaginative and creative - to think for one's own self. It is also interesting to note that this sailor is said to be "drunk," indicating that when a human is not in his typical state of mind, he becomes capable of great thoughts and dreams. Maybe the speaker is trying to tell us that we need to be more open-minded - or perhaps he means to say that we are most ourselves when we believe ourselves farthest from what we think we are. 

This poem that seemed so odd and childish at first glance can be read from so many different perspectives. It may simply be seen as a poem that wants to rekindle the child inside every individual. It may simply be seen as a poem that years humans to take time to be more creative and add color and mystery to their lives. It may even be viewed as a social commentary, discussing the idea that society (and its institutions) take away from the individuality and freedom of expression of individuals. With so many different meanings, this poem can apply to a wide audience. 

This poem definitely ranks high among my all time favorites, and serves a reminder that tough language and long words aren't always the best way of communicating an idea - the simplest of ways may be the best after all.