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Eric Jones

Mr. Roberts

AP Literature Pd. 2

9 December 2021

Simplicity

16 words. 22 syllables. For a poem so indepthly analyzed, “XXII,” the poem

commonly called “The Red Wheelbarrow” released in William Carlos Williams’ Spring

and All, seems to be pretty short. That, however, is what makes it so recognizable and

popular. Its simplicity elicits an automatic, gutshot response, and its rhythm and structure

are equally important in gaining such status.

Calling an eight line poem with just double that many words “simple” probably

isn’t an “A” paper. It’s a copout that many junior high schoolers would take, but the

poem is more than just simple. It is simple to the point of complexity. Each stanza, except

for the first, is about one object, and that object is described in rudimentary terms. A

“red” wheel barrow, “glazed” rain water, “white” chickens. The obvious, pure colors add

to the plain composition of the poem. Instead of “burgundy” or “azure” or any other

“fancy” color, he sticks with a primary color and the most basic color in the world. Both

of these are paired with a similarly common noun; “water,” “wheelbarrow,” and

“chicken.” These obvious and straightforward combinations create a pleasant and clear,

precise picture of what is happening.

On a more literal basis, the rhythm is also interesting. All of the words are one or

two syllables (adding to its minimalism). The most specific examples of this are “wheel /

barrow,” and “rain / water,” both of which are usually compound three syllable words.
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Breaking them up signifies the importance of them, accentuating how Williams’ wanted

them to be.

The structure also follows the minimalist theme. Throughout the whole poem, the

stanzas are three descriptive words followed by a noun (except, again for the first stanza).

Even the way the poem progresses is reflective of a simple subject; a wheelbarrow works

by carrying something heavy (i.e. the first three words), then it drops them and returns

back to its original place (i.e. the last words of every stanza).

“XXII” is the epitome of easy, yet maintains an impossible mystic complexity.

The vocabulary of the poem is all very basic, as well as the styles of writing it uses.

Additionally, the rhythm’s focus on breaking up larger words, as well as the poem’s three

word one word structure, help bring a profound sense of ease into the poem.