The Alaska Quarterly Review is among the popular American literary magazines that excels in publishing of various works of literature such as drama, poetry, interviews, non-fiction, and fiction genres. It was founded in 1980, and has two issues annually (New Pages, “Alaska Quarterly Review”). Analytically, Alaska Quarterly Review favors literature that focusses on photographic presentations of information. As a company, the founding principles that guide Alaska Quarterly Review magazine is visible through their masthead. A critical look at the masthead shows extensive use of color and images. It is clear that the designers focused on showing the diminishing and blurry use of color as an image to show the extensive effects of global warming on Alaskan mountains. There are various colors on the masthead such as green, red and black. However, these colors are blurred and show as diminishing effect as a viewer continues to look at them. It is notable that this could show the designers intention of rapid loss of natural ice cover in the Alaska. Lastly, the masthead also show as reed that is peeling. It is possible to conclude that the designer of this masthead intended to show the debilitating effects of weather on the Alaskan landscape.
There are two poets whose use of imagery in their works demonstrate the values of Alaska Quarterly Review magazine. The first is Cathryn Essinger, the author of “Summer Apples.” Essinger excels in the use of imagery in her poem with the clear intention of showing the debilitating effects weather. The first four stanzas of the poem present the image of the persona’s memory regarding planting an apple tree whose fruit lacks the sweetness exhibited by apples eaten by the grandmother. The persona talks about how the memory of this apple tree has become transparent. Analytically, the use of such words clearly demonstrate the values of Alaska Quarterly Review magazine. The image of transparent memory that reflects the quality of apples eaten during the grandmother’s time shows a diminishing effect of fruitfulness of the apple tree. Consequently, this shows the effect of changing weather patterns of the productivity of the Alaskan terrain. The use of color “yellow apples, and blue bowl” also present the use of imagery in the third stanza (Essinger). In this case, the use of color as an imagery coincides with the values of Alaska Quarterly Review magazine to utilize the same principle in their masthead. Notably, this imagery shows contrast of time that the poet attempts to communicate to the audience. Additionally, “Slicing apples” in stanza 2 is another imagery that connects with the values of Alaska Quarterly Review. It presents the image of distortion of form as written by the poet. In this stanza, the reader gets the image of the apple’s form and size being reduced through the slicing. Notably, this connects with the imagery on the magazine’s masthead that presents the peeling of reed to show the reduction in the vegetative and marine features at the Alaskan mountains. Lastly, according to the persona, the grandmother says that “…you can almost see to the core.” In this stanza, the poet presents the imagery of transparency and the reduced quality of the apples. It is visible that this connects with the magazine’s value to depict the deteriorating effects of natural features in Alaska.
The second poet that uses imagery to demonstrate the values of Alaska Quarterly Review magazine is Colette Inez, the author of “As California Edges towards Alaska.” Firstly, the poet uses the imagery of color that the magazine utilizes in their masthead. In the first stanza, the persona mentions the ‘the pull-down map’ that is green in color (Inez). The persona also talks about the ‘green sea’ in the last stanza to show the use of the imagery of color. Analytically, the significance of this imagery is to show the contrast in the color of Alaskan waters. Naturally, the water in the sea should be blue. However, the persona talks about a green color to show the level of pollution and deteriorating effects of the Alaskan waters. The word ‘pull-down’ presents the image of degradation of color as indicated in the first stanza. These images connect with values of Alaska Quarterly Review magazine. In stanza 2, the persona says “my father served the church, fell to his knees.” Analytically, this presents an imagery of contrast. The poet contrasts strength and weakness. The father’s service leads to him falling in his knees. As a result, this imagery connects with the magazine’s value to depict the reduction in quality of Alaskan natural features. Alaska was initially beautiful but human effects caused destruction.
Works Cited
Inez, Colette. As California Edges towards Alaska. Alaska Quarterly Review, 01 Nov. 2016.
New Pages. Alaska Quarterly Review, 01 Nov. 2016.
Essinger, Kathryn. Summer Apples. Alaska Quarterly Review, 01 Nov. 2016.