Rita Dove’s “Sonnet in Primary Colors” is a vivid and evocative poem that pays tribute to the life and artistry of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Known for her rich imagery and layered meanings, Dove weaves historical, cultural, and artistic references into her poetry. One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of allusion—a literary device where a writer references another work, person, or event to deepen meaning.
In this blog post, we will explore the poem’s allusions, identify the most significant quotation containing one, and analyze how this reference enhances the poem’s themes.
Understanding Allusion in Poetry
Before diving into the poem, it’s essential to define allusion. An allusion is an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or artistic work. Poets use allusions to:
- Add depth to their writing.
- Connect their work to broader cultural or historical contexts.
- Invoke emotions or ideas associated with the referenced subject.
In “Sonnet in Primary Colors,” Dove alludes to Frida Kahlo’s life, her art, and broader Mexican cultural symbols.
Overview of “Sonnet in Primary Colors”
The poem is part of Rita Dove’s 1999 collection “On the Bus with Rosa Parks,” where she explores historical and artistic figures. This sonnet captures Frida Kahlo’s resilience, pain, and vibrant artistry. Kahlo, known for her self-portraits and use of bold colors, endured physical suffering due to a bus accident and emotional turmoil from her marriage to Diego Rivera.
Dove’s poem mirrors Kahlo’s artistic style—vivid, raw, and symbolic. The sonnet form (traditionally 14 lines) contrasts with its free-verse feel, much like how Kahlo blended traditional Mexican art with surrealism.
Identifying the Allusion in the Poem
The most explicit allusion in “Sonnet in Primary Colors” appears in the following lines:
“a fan of scarlet larkspur, the spine
of a black mare, the blue slouch of his hat.”
Here, Dove references Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo’s husband and a famous Mexican muralist. The “blue slouch of his hat” is a nod to Rivera’s iconic style—he often wore a broad-brimmed hat, a detail seen in many photographs and paintings of him.
Why Is This an Allusion?
- Cultural Reference – Diego Rivera was a towering figure in Mexican art, and his relationship with Kahlo was tumultuous yet central to her life.
- Visual Art Connection – The description mirrors how Kahlo painted Rivera in her works, reinforcing the interplay between Dove’s words and Kahlo’s art.
- Symbolism – The “blue slouch” suggests weariness or dominance, reflecting Rivera’s imposing presence in Kahlo’s life.
Other Possible Allusions in the Poem
While the Diego Rivera reference is the clearest, Dove embeds other subtle allusions:
- “This is for the woman with one black wing” –
- Could allude to Kahlo’s “The Two Fridas” (1939), where one Frida has a exposed heart, symbolizing pain.
- The “black wing” might reference Kahlo’s frequent use of dark imagery, representing suffering.
- “perched over the death of a marriage” –
- Directly references Kahlo and Rivera’s divorce (1939) and remarriage (1940).
- “the spine of a black mare” –
- May allude to Kahlo’s accident (1925), where a metal handrail impaled her, leaving her with lifelong pain.
These references deepen the reader’s understanding of Kahlo’s struggles and artistic vision.
Why Does the Allusion to Diego Rivera Matter?
The mention of Rivera isn’t just a passing detail—it serves multiple poetic purposes:
1. Highlights Kahlo’s Personal Struggles
Rivera was both Kahlo’s greatest love and source of pain. Their marriage was marked by infidelity (including Rivera’s affair with Kahlo’s sister). By referencing him, Dove underscores how Kahlo’s art emerged from personal suffering.
2. Connects to Mexican Artistic Tradition
Rivera was a muralist who celebrated Mexican history and indigenous culture. Kahlo, while more personal in her art, also incorporated Mexican folk motifs. Dove’s allusion ties the poem to this broader artistic movement.
3. Reinforces Imagery of Color
The poem’s title emphasizes primary colors—red, blue, yellow—key in both Kahlo’s and Rivera’s works. The “blue slouch” ties into this motif, linking Rivera’s presence to Kahlo’s vibrant yet painful world.
Comparing Dove’s Allusion to Other Literary Allusions
Many poets use allusions to enrich their work. For example:
- T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” – Packed with mythological and literary references.
- Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus” – Alludes to biblical resurrection and Holocaust imagery.
Dove’s allusion is subtler but equally powerful—it doesn’t require prior knowledge but enhances the poem for those who recognize it.
Conclusion: The Power of Allusion in “Sonnet in Primary Colors”
Rita Dove’s “Sonnet in Primary Colors” masterfully uses allusion to evoke Frida Kahlo’s life and art. The most explicit reference—“the blue slouch of his hat”—points to Diego Rivera, anchoring the poem in Kahlo’s personal and artistic struggles.
By recognizing this allusion, readers gain deeper insight into:
- Kahlo’s turbulent relationship with Rivera.
- The interplay between her pain and her vibrant art.
- Dove’s skill in weaving history into poetry.
Ultimately, the poem becomes not just a tribute to Kahlo but a layered exploration of how art emerges from suffering—a theme as vivid as Kahlo’s primary colors.
