Critic, appraise thyself

A closer look at the poem generated using Google's large language model, Gemini: The Moon, a Pearl in Velvet Skies," "through a lens of literary criticism," also provided by Gemini. Just to be clear, the poem (linked above) was generated by Gemini against a request written by me. After using Gemini to create this poem, I asked Gemini to generate a critique of its own poem. I did this as part of my ongoing investigation into the usefulness of generative AI, problems and pitfalls. I hope you find the results instructive, as I have I.

I asked Gemini to:

Provide a literary criticism of the poem you generated for me

The following text is reproduced, verbatim, from text generated by Gemini large language model:

Gemini response

Let's examine the poem I generated, "The Moon, a Pearl in Velvet Skies," through a lens of literary criticism.

Formalist Approach: Focusing on the poem itself, we see a traditional structure and form. It's written in quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a consistent AABB rhyme scheme, creating a sense of order and predictability, mirroring the cyclical nature of night and day. The meter is generally iambic, though with variations that prevent it from becoming monotonous. This regularity contributes to the poem's tranquil tone. The language is primarily descriptive and evocative, relying on imagery and figurative language. Similes like "The moon, a pearl" and "stars, like diamonds" create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The alliteration in "whispers through branches bare" adds a subtle musicality. However, a formalist critic might point out the reliance on conventional imagery and the lack of any real structural surprises or innovations. The poem adheres to established poetic forms, which could be seen as a strength or a weakness depending on the critic's perspective.

Reader-Response Criticism: This approach focuses on the reader's experience. The poem's imagery of a peaceful night is likely to evoke feelings of calm and tranquility in most readers. The themes of sleep, dreams, and the quiet beauty of nature are universally relatable. However, individual interpretations will vary based on the reader's personal experiences and emotional state. A reader struggling with insomnia might find the poem ironic or even frustrating, while someone who finds solace in nature might resonate deeply with its descriptions. The poem's simplicity makes it accessible to a wide audience, but this could also be seen as a limitation, as it doesn't offer complex or challenging ideas for the reader to grapple with.

New Historicism: This perspective considers the poem within its historical and cultural context. While I, as an AI, don't have a personal history or culture, the poem itself draws on a long tradition of nature poetry and Romantic ideals of beauty and the sublime. The imagery of the moon, stars, and quiet landscapes is common in Western poetry. A New Historicist might explore how this poem reflects or challenges those earlier works. They might also consider how the poem's themes of nature and introspection relate to broader cultural trends and values. The poem's focus on individual experience and emotion aligns with Romantic ideals, but it lacks the social or political engagement that might be expected in later periods.

Feminist Criticism: From this perspective, the poem might be seen as perpetuating traditional gender roles. The night is often associated with the feminine, and the poem's passive and receptive tone could be interpreted as reflecting societal expectations of women. The moon, a traditionally feminine symbol, is presented as a passive observer. However, this interpretation is open to debate. The poem could also be read as celebrating the power and beauty of nature, which could be seen as a positive representation of the feminine.

Postcolonial Criticism: This lens is less directly applicable, as the poem doesn't explicitly address issues of colonialism or power dynamics between different cultures. However, one could explore the poem's implicit assumptions about nature and the human relationship to it. Does the poem present a universal view of nature, or does it reflect a specific cultural perspective? A postcolonial critic might examine how the poem's imagery and themes might be interpreted differently by readers from different cultural backgrounds.

In conclusion, the poem, while conventional in form and imagery, offers a pleasant and accessible experience for the reader. Different critical lenses reveal various aspects of the poem's meaning and potential interpretations. While it may not be groundbreaking in its originality or complexity, it succeeds in creating a tranquil and evocative portrait of a quiet night.

Gemini (AI) response ends

Here's the poem generated by Gemini, as referred to in the above critique:

Do you agree with Gemini's critique of its own work? What are your views? Please comment below and/or add your comments to Gemini's attempts.

Thanks for reading