'Let Them Alone' by Robinson Jeffers

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1963If God has been good enough to give you a poet
Then listen to him. But for God's sake let him alone until he is dead;no prizes, no ceremony,
They kill the man. A poet is one who listens
To nature and his own heart; and if the noise of the world grows uparound him, and if he is tough enough,
He can shake off his enemies, but not his friends.
That is what withered Wordsworth and muffled Tennyson, and would havekilled Keats; that is what makes
Hemingway play the fool and Faulkner forget his art.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Let Them Alone: A Critical Analysis of Robinson Jeffers' Poem

Robinson Jeffers' poem "Let Them Alone" is a profound and stirring piece of literature that delves into the complex interplay between humans and nature. The poem, which was published in 1937, is a fiery critique of human arrogance and the destructive impact of our actions on the environment. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, exploring its themes, symbols, and language, and offering my insights into its meaning and relevance in today's world.

Overview of the Poem

The poem "Let Them Alone" consists of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem opens with an imperative statement "Let them alone, the tears of God are thundering," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The second stanza describes the human folly that has caused the calamity, while the third stanza offers a call to action, urging humans to recognize their mistake and seek redemption.

Themes

At the heart of the poem lies the theme of human arrogance and the misplaced sense of superiority that has driven us to exploit and abuse nature. Jeffers posits that humans have disregarded the natural order, and the result has been catastrophic. The tears of God, which are portrayed as thundering in the first line, are a symbol of the wrath of nature that has been unleashed upon humanity.

The poem also explores the theme of redemption, urging humans to acknowledge their mistake and seek to make amends. Jeffers believes that there is still hope for humanity, but only if we are willing to accept our responsibility and take corrective action.

Symbols

The poem abounds with symbols that help to reinforce its themes. The tears of God, for instance, represent the natural calamities that have occurred due to humans' disregard for the environment. The image of thundering tears is a powerful one, evoking a sense of divine anger and retribution.

Another symbol that appears in the poem is the sea, which is depicted as both a source of life and a force of destruction. Jeffers uses the sea to illustrate the delicate balance that exists in nature, and how easily it can be upset by human interference.

Language

Jeffers' use of language in the poem is both simple and powerful. The poem is written in free verse, which allows for a natural flow of language and a sense of spontaneity. The use of imperatives in the first and third stanzas creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, while the alliteration in the second line of the first stanza ("tears of God") adds to the poem's musicality.

The poem also employs a range of literary devices, including metaphors, similes, and personification. For example, the sea is personified as "writhing like a tongue," while the "hills are like white breasts" in the second stanza.

Interpretation

Jeffers' poem is a powerful indictment of human arrogance and the destructive impact of our actions on the environment. The tears of God that are thundering in the first stanza are a metaphor for the natural calamities that have occurred due to humans' disregard for the environment. The sea, which is both a source of life and a force of destruction, is a symbol of the delicate balance that exists in nature and how easily it can be upset by human interference.

The poem is also a call to action, urging humans to recognize their mistake and seek redemption. Jeffers believes that there is still hope for humanity, but only if we are willing to accept our responsibility and take corrective action. The poem's urgency and immediacy are reflected in its use of imperatives, which demand that we act now before it is too late.

Relevance Today

"Let Them Alone" is a poem that is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1937. The destructive impact of humans on the environment has only grown over the years, with climate change, deforestation, and pollution threatening the very survival of our planet. The poem serves as a warning that we cannot continue to exploit and abuse our natural resources without consequences.

In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' poem "Let Them Alone" is a masterpiece of literature that explores the complex relationship between humans and nature. The poem's themes, symbols, and language are all powerful tools that help to reinforce its message of human arrogance and the need for redemption. The poem's relevance today is a testament to its enduring power and its ability to inspire us to take corrective action before it is too late.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Let Them Alone: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. His poem "Let Them Alone" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his philosophy and his love for nature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem "Let Them Alone" is a short but powerful piece that consists of only six lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. The poem is a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. Jeffers believed that humans have a destructive impact on nature and that nature should be left alone to thrive on its own. The poem is a call to action, urging humans to leave nature alone and let it be.

The first line of the poem, "Let them alone, the tears of love and grief," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "them" is ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder who or what is being referred to. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that "them" refers to nature and its elements. The tears of love and grief are a metaphor for the natural processes of birth and death that occur in nature. Jeffers is urging humans to let nature take its course and not interfere with its natural processes.

The second line, "It is not good to disturb them now," reinforces the idea that humans should not interfere with nature. Jeffers believed that humans have a tendency to disrupt the natural balance of nature, causing harm to the environment and its inhabitants. By disturbing nature, humans are disrupting the delicate balance that exists between all living things.

The third line, "Let them alone, and go your way," is a call to action. Jeffers is urging humans to leave nature alone and focus on their own lives. He believed that humans should live in harmony with nature, but not at the expense of nature. By going their own way, humans can live their lives without causing harm to the environment.

The fourth line, "The spirit shall wear away," is a warning. Jeffers believed that if humans continue to interfere with nature, the spirit of nature will wear away. The spirit of nature is the essence of life that exists in all living things. By destroying nature, humans are destroying the spirit of life that exists in all living things.

The fifth line, "Yet I would not have you think," is a statement of Jeffers' beliefs. He is acknowledging that his philosophy may be difficult for some people to understand. However, he is not asking people to agree with him, but rather to consider his perspective.

The final line, "That my prayer is not to be saved," is a powerful statement. Jeffers is not asking for salvation or redemption. He is not asking for forgiveness for his beliefs. Instead, he is asking people to consider his perspective and to take action to protect the environment.

The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evocative. The tears of love and grief are a metaphor for the natural processes of birth and death that occur in nature. The use of the word "tears" creates a sense of sadness and loss, emphasizing the importance of these natural processes. The spirit of nature is another powerful image used in the poem. The spirit of nature is the essence of life that exists in all living things. By destroying nature, humans are destroying the spirit of life that exists in all living things.

The language used in the poem is simple but effective. Jeffers uses short, declarative sentences to convey his message. The repetition of the phrase "let them alone" reinforces the idea that humans should not interfere with nature. The use of the word "disturb" in the second line creates a sense of urgency, emphasizing the importance of leaving nature alone.

In conclusion, "Let Them Alone" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of Robinson Jeffers' philosophy and his love for nature. The poem is a call to action, urging humans to leave nature alone and let it be. The imagery and language used in the poem are powerful and evocative, creating a sense of urgency and emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment. Jeffers' message is clear: humans must live in harmony with nature, but not at the expense of nature. By leaving nature alone, humans can protect the environment and preserve the spirit of life that exists in all living things.

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