'The Refugees' by Randall Jarrell

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In the shabby train no seat is vacant.
The child in the ripped mask
Sprawls undisturbed in the waste
Of the smashed compartment. Is their calm extravagant?
They had faces and lives like you. What was it they possessed
That they were willing to trade for this?
The dried blood sparkles along the mask
Of the child who yesterday possessed
A country welcomer than this.
Did he? All night into the waste
The train moves silently. The faces are vacant.
Have none of them found the cost extravagant?
How could they? They gave what they possessed.
Here all the purses are vacant.
And what else could satisfy the extravagant
Tears and wish of the child but this?
Impose its canceling terrible mask
On the days and faces and lives they waste?
What else are their lives but a journey to the vacant
Satisfaction of death? And the mask
They wear tonight through their waste
Is death's rehearsal. Is it really extravagant
To read in their faces: What is there we possessed
That we were unwilling to trade for this?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Refugees: A Masterpiece of Metaphor and Humanity

As I read Randall Jarrell's "The Refugees," I was struck by the power of his metaphors and the depth of his humanity. Every line seemed to carry weight and significance, every image was carefully crafted to convey a deeper meaning. This is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a refugee, to be forced to flee one's home and start anew in a foreign land. And yet, it is also a poem that transcends its specific context and speaks to the human condition in general, offering insights into what it means to be displaced, to be vulnerable, to struggle against adversity.

The Power of Metaphor

One of the most striking aspects of "The Refugees" is the way in which Jarrell uses metaphor to convey the experiences of the displaced. The poem is full of images that are at once concrete and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the refugees' journey. For example, in the opening lines, Jarrell writes:

Wading through the cold waste of November
That is all that remains of summer
Our garden, that was so gay with flowers,
Is now a quarry of frost and stone.

Here, the garden is a metaphor for the refugees' home, which has been destroyed and left barren by the war. The contrast between the "gay" and colorful garden of the past and the "quarry of frost and stone" of the present is stark, emphasizing the loss and devastation suffered by the refugees.

Throughout the poem, Jarrell continues to use metaphor to convey the refugees' experiences. The journey itself becomes a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, its moments of hope and despair. The train that takes the refugees away from their homes is described as a "black snake," a powerful image that conveys both the danger of the journey and the sense of being trapped and powerless. The refugees themselves are compared to "dead leaves," a poignant image that emphasizes their fragility and vulnerability.

The Human Dimension

Beyond its powerful use of metaphor, "The Refugees" is also a deeply human poem. Jarrell's empathy for the displaced is evident throughout the poem, as he describes their fears, hopes, and dreams. For example, in the following lines, he captures the sense of longing and nostalgia that the refugees feel for their homeland:

And all the while the rain keeps falling
Like the tears of the people, pitilessly
Falling upon the roofs and the broken trees
Upon the graves and the deserted fields.

Here, the rain becomes a metaphor for the refugees' tears, emphasizing their grief and sense of loss. But the use of the word "pitilessly" also suggests that the refugees are not merely victims, but also survivors, who must endure the hardships of their new lives.

Throughout the poem, Jarrell portrays the refugees as individuals with their own stories and personalities. He describes a woman who "clasped her head with her hands and wept" and a man who "walks with his head bowed, as if he were ashamed." These details add depth and complexity to the poem, reminding us that the refugees are not just faceless masses, but real people with real emotions.

The Universal Appeal

Although "The Refugees" is a poem about a specific historical event (the displacement of European refugees after World War II), it has a universal appeal that speaks to readers of all backgrounds. The themes of loss, displacement, and resilience are ones that are relevant to anyone who has experienced upheaval or adversity in their lives. And the human dimension of the poem, with its focus on the individual experiences of the refugees, makes it easy for readers to relate to the characters and their struggles.

Moreover, the use of metaphor and symbolism in the poem allows it to operate on multiple levels, creating a rich and complex tapestry of meaning. The garden that has become a "quarry of frost and stone" can be read as a metaphor for any loss, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, or a dream. The rain that falls "pitilessly" can be read as a metaphor for any hardship or challenge that we must face in life.

Conclusion

Randall Jarrell's "The Refugees" is a masterpiece of metaphor and humanity, a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be displaced, vulnerable, and resilient. Through his careful use of metaphor and symbolism, Jarrell conveys the experiences of the refugees in a way that is both vivid and evocative. And through his focus on the human dimension of the story, he reminds us of the individual stories and personalities that lie behind the statistics of displacement. This is a poem that speaks to the universal struggles of the human experience, offering insights and empathy that are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Refugees: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Randall Jarrell

Randall Jarrell's "The Refugees" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of displacement and the trauma of war. Written in 1945, at the end of World War II, the poem reflects the author's own experiences as an air force pilot and his encounters with refugees fleeing the war-torn regions of Europe. The poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, with its vivid imagery, haunting metaphors, and poignant themes.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the refugee experience. The first part, "The Woman at the Washington Zoo," introduces us to the central metaphor of the poem: the caged animals at the zoo. The speaker observes a woman staring at the animals, and he imagines that she is a refugee who has lost everything and is now trapped in a foreign land. The animals in the cages represent the refugees, who are also trapped and helpless, unable to escape the horrors of war.

The second part of the poem, "The Lost World," takes us on a journey through the ruins of a bombed-out city. The speaker describes the devastation and destruction he sees around him, and he imagines the lives of the people who once lived there. He sees the remnants of their homes and their possessions, and he feels their pain and their loss. The city is a metaphor for the world that has been destroyed by war, and the refugees are the survivors who must now try to rebuild their lives.

The final part of the poem, "Next Day," brings us back to the present, where the speaker reflects on his own life and his own experiences. He realizes that he too is a refugee, in a sense, because he has been changed by the war and the suffering he has witnessed. He feels a sense of guilt and responsibility for the refugees, and he wonders what he can do to help them.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. Jarrell's descriptions of the caged animals, the ruined city, and the speaker's own emotions are all vivid and powerful. The animals in the cages are a particularly effective metaphor for the refugees, because they are both trapped and helpless. The image of the woman staring at the animals is also haunting, because it suggests that she too is trapped and helpless, like the refugees.

Another important aspect of the poem is its use of language. Jarrell's language is simple and direct, but it is also poetic and evocative. He uses repetition, alliteration, and other poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the first part of the poem, he repeats the phrase "the woman" several times, which creates a sense of urgency and intensity.

The themes of the poem are also powerful and universal. The poem explores the themes of displacement, trauma, and the human cost of war. It shows us the devastating effects of war on ordinary people, and it reminds us of the importance of compassion and empathy. The poem also raises important questions about the role of the artist in times of crisis, and it challenges us to think about our own responsibilities as citizens of the world.

In conclusion, "The Refugees" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of displacement and the trauma of war. It is a powerful and moving poem that uses vivid imagery, haunting metaphors, and poignant themes to explore the human cost of war. Jarrell's language is simple and direct, but it is also poetic and evocative, and his use of repetition and other poetic devices creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The poem is a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy, and it challenges us to think about our own responsibilities as citizens of the world.

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