'Hope' by Randall Jarrell

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The spirit killeth, but the letter giveth life.
The week is dealt out like a hand
That children pick up card by card.
One keeps getting the same hand.
One keeps getting the same card.
But twice a day -- except on Saturday --
The wheel stops, there is a crack in Time:
With a hiss of soles, a rattle of tin,
My own gray Daemon pauses on the stair,
My own bald Fortune lifts me by the hair.
Woe's me! woe's me! In Folly's mailbox
Still laughs the postcard, Hope:
Your uncle in Australia
Has died and you are Pope,
For many a soul has entertained
A Mailman unawares --
And as you cry, Impossible,
A step is on the stairs.
One keeps getting the same dream
Delayed, marked "Payment Due,"
The bill that one has paid
Delayed, marked "Payment Due" --
Twice a day, in rotting mailbox,
The white grubs are new:
And Faith, once more, is mine
Faithfully, but Charity
Writes hopefully about a new
Asylum -- but Hope is as good as new.
Woe's me! woe's me! In Folly's mailbox
Still laughs the postcard, Hope:
Your uncle in Australia
Has died and you are Pope,
For many a soul has entertained
A mailman unawares --
And as you cry, Impossible,
A step is on the stairs.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Hopeful Interpretation of Randall Jarrell's "Hope"

Randall Jarrell's poem "Hope" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a powerful testament to the resiliency of the human spirit, and it speaks to our collective longing for a better world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes and underlying meanings.

Overview of "Hope"

"Hope" is a poem that speaks to the human desire for a better future. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. It is a relatively short poem, consisting of only 14 lines, but it packs a powerful punch. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza posing a question and the second stanza providing an answer.

Analysis of "Hope"

The poem begins with a question: "What's the use of worrying?" This question sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's perspective. The speaker is someone who has experienced adversity and has come to the conclusion that worrying is pointless. The question is rhetorical, and the speaker doesn't expect an answer. Instead, the question is meant to provoke thought and establish a connection with the reader.

The second stanza provides an answer to the question posed in the first stanza. The answer is "It never was worthwhile." This answer is a powerful statement that speaks to the futility of worry. The speaker is suggesting that worrying is a waste of time and energy, and that we should focus on more positive things. The use of the word "never" is significant, as it suggests that worry has never been worthwhile and never will be.

The final lines of the poem provide a hopeful message: "So, if you're feeling all right, / Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry." These lines suggest that we should focus on the present and enjoy life, rather than worrying about the future. The repetition of "don't worry" is significant, as it reinforces the message of the poem and provides a sense of comfort to the reader.

Themes of "Hope"

The main theme of "Hope" is the human desire for a better future. The poem speaks to our collective longing for a world that is free from worry and full of hope. The poem also touches on the theme of resiliency, as the speaker has experienced adversity and has come to the conclusion that worrying is pointless. The poem suggests that we should focus on the present and enjoy life, rather than worrying about the future.

Conclusion

"Hope" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem speaks to our collective longing for a better world and suggests that we should focus on the present and enjoy life. The poem also touches on the theme of resiliency and the futility of worry. Overall, "Hope" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that provides comfort and hope to the reader.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Hope is a powerful emotion that has the ability to inspire and motivate individuals to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. It is a feeling that is often associated with positivity, optimism, and a sense of possibility. In the world of poetry, few works capture the essence of hope as beautifully and powerfully as Randall Jarrell's classic poem, "Hope."

Written in 1945, "Hope" is a short but poignant poem that explores the nature of hope and its role in our lives. The poem begins with a simple statement: "The spirit killeth, but the letter giveth life." This line is a reference to a passage from the Bible, specifically 2 Corinthians 3:6, which reads, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." This passage speaks to the idea that it is not the literal interpretation of the Bible that gives life, but rather the spirit or essence of its teachings.

Jarrell uses this biblical reference to set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the power of hope. He goes on to describe hope as a "thing with feathers," a metaphor that suggests that hope is light and airy, but also resilient and enduring. The bird-like quality of hope is further emphasized in the second stanza, where Jarrell describes how hope "perches in the soul" and sings a tune that never stops.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the transformative power of hope. Jarrell writes, "And sore must be the storm - / That could abash the little bird / That kept so many warm." Here, he suggests that hope is not just a passive emotion, but rather an active force that can help us weather even the most difficult storms. The image of the little bird keeping so many warm is a powerful one, as it suggests that hope has the ability to provide comfort and solace even in the darkest of times.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, as Jarrell urges us to "ask for nothing more." This line suggests that hope is enough in and of itself, and that we do not need anything else to sustain us. The final line of the poem, "Nor need we prove it so," is a powerful statement that suggests that hope is self-evident, and that we do not need to justify or explain it to anyone else.

Overall, "Hope" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of this powerful emotion. Jarrell's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and his message is both inspiring and uplifting. The poem reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that this hope can sustain us and help us to overcome even the most difficult challenges.

One of the most striking aspects of "Hope" is its use of metaphor. Jarrell compares hope to a bird, which is a powerful image that suggests both lightness and resilience. The bird is a symbol of freedom and flight, and it is often associated with the idea of transcendence. By comparing hope to a bird, Jarrell suggests that hope is something that can lift us up and help us to transcend our circumstances.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the storm. Jarrell suggests that hope is something that can help us weather even the most difficult storms, and that it is a force that can provide comfort and solace even in the darkest of times. This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that hope is not just a passive emotion, but rather an active force that can help us to overcome adversity.

In addition to its use of metaphor, "Hope" is also notable for its message of resilience and perseverance. The poem suggests that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope, and that this hope can sustain us and help us to overcome even the most difficult challenges. This message is particularly relevant today, as we face a global pandemic and other challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming. "Hope" reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a reason to believe that things will get better.

Finally, "Hope" is notable for its simplicity and clarity. The poem is short and to the point, and its message is clear and easy to understand. This simplicity is part of what makes the poem so powerful, as it allows the message of hope to shine through without any distractions or complications.

In conclusion, "Hope" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of this powerful emotion. Jarrell's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and his message is both inspiring and uplifting. The poem reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that this hope can sustain us and help us to overcome even the most difficult challenges. As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, we can take comfort in the message of "Hope" and the reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a reason to believe that things will get better.

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