'The Plough Of Time' by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

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Night closed my windows and
The sky became a crystal house
The crystal windows glowed
The moon
shown through them
through the whole house of crystal
A single star beamed down
its crystal cable
and drew a plough through the earth
unearthing bodies clasped together
couples embracing
around the earth
They clung together everywhere
emitting small cries
that did not reach the stars
The crystal earth turned
and the bodies with it
And the sky did not turn
nor the stars with it
The stars remained fixed
each with its crystal cable
beamed to earth
each attached to the immense plough
furrowing our lives

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Plough of Time by Lawrence Ferlinghetti: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow. Just wow. I mean, where do I even begin with this one? Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "The Plough of Time" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work that is at once deeply personal and profoundly universal in its themes and imagery. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll be taking a closer look at this incredible poem, examining its structure, its language, and its meaning, and exploring why it continues to resonate with readers today.

Background

First, some context. "The Plough of Time" was published in Ferlinghetti's 1958 collection, "A Coney Island of the Mind." This was a seminal work in the Beat poetry movement, a cultural and literary movement that emerged in the 1950s and 60s and was characterized by its rejection of mainstream values and its embrace of countercultural, bohemian lifestyles. Ferlinghetti was a key figure in this movement, and "The Plough of Time" is a quintessential example of Beat poetry.

Structure

Let's start with the structure of the poem. "The Plough of Time" is a free verse poem, meaning that it doesn't follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, Ferlinghetti uses a variety of poetic devices, such as repetition, alliteration, and metaphor, to create a rhythm and flow to the poem. The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct tone and imagery.

The first section of the poem is the shortest, just three lines long. It sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its stark imagery and existential questioning:

What's poetry?
Is it a mosaic
Of colored stones

The repetition of the "Is it" question creates a sense of uncertainty and doubt, while the metaphor of poetry as a mosaic suggests that it is a fragmented, piecemeal art form.

The second section of the poem is much longer, and is where Ferlinghetti really begins to explore his themes in depth. This section is characterized by its vivid imagery and its use of repetition and alliteration. Here's the opening stanza:

Is it the weaving
Of a few threads
Into a pattern?

The repetition of the "Is it" question continues here, but now it is paired with the metaphor of weaving. This suggests that poetry is a more deliberate and intentional art form than the mosaic metaphor of the first section. The alliteration of "weaving" and "threads" creates a sense of movement and action, as if the poet is actively creating something.

Throughout this section, Ferlinghetti uses a variety of metaphors to describe poetry. He compares it to a "seed in the earth," a "flicker on the rim of a bird's nest," and a "smile on the face of a mountain." Each of these metaphors creates a different image of poetry, but all suggest that it is something that is alive, growing, and changing.

The final section of the poem is the longest, and is where Ferlinghetti really brings everything together. Here, he returns to the theme of time that was introduced in the first section, and explores it in greater depth. He writes:

This poem
Like all poetry
Is a ploughshare
In time

The metaphor of poetry as a ploughshare suggests that it is a tool for digging into the past, for uncovering the hidden layers of history and culture. The repetition of "time" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of this theme, and suggests that poetry is a way of understanding and grappling with the passage of time.

Language

Now let's turn to the language of the poem. Ferlinghetti's use of language is one of the things that makes "The Plough of Time" so powerful. He uses simple, direct language that is easy to understand, but that also has a depth and richness to it. He creates vivid images through his use of metaphor and simile, and his repetition and alliteration create a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem.

One of the most striking things about Ferlinghetti's language is its use of repetition. As we've seen, he repeats the "Is it" question throughout the poem, creating a sense of uncertainty and doubt. He also repeats words and phrases throughout the poem, such as "time," "poetry," and "ploughshare." This repetition creates a sense of unity and coherence to the poem, while also emphasizing the importance of these themes.

Ferlinghetti also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem. For example, in the following lines:

Of a few threads
Into a pattern?

The repetition of the "th" sound in "threads" and "pattern" creates a sense of movement and continuity, as if the poet is weaving something together.

Meaning

Now let's turn to the meaning of the poem. "The Plough of Time" is a deeply philosophical work that grapples with some of the biggest questions of human existence. It asks what poetry is, why it matters, and how it can help us understand the passage of time.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of poetry as a way of uncovering the hidden layers of history and culture. The metaphor of poetry as a ploughshare suggests that it is a tool for digging into the past, for uncovering the buried treasures of culture and civilization. This is an important theme in Beat poetry, which often celebrated the countercultural and subversive movements that were pushing against the mainstream values of the time.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of time and its passage. Ferlinghetti emphasizes the importance of time throughout the poem, using the metaphor of the ploughshare to suggest that poetry is a way of digging into the layers of time and uncovering the hidden treasures of culture and history. This theme is also reflected in the repetition of the word "time" throughout the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and importance.

Finally, the poem explores the idea of poetry itself, and what it means to be a poet. Ferlinghetti suggests that poetry is a deliberate and intentional art form, one that requires skill and craft to create. He also suggests that poetry is a deeply personal and subjective art form, one that reflects the unique voice and perspective of the poet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Plough of Time" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Ferlinghetti's use of language, metaphor, and repetition creates a powerful sense of rhythm and flow to the poem, while his exploration of themes such as time, poetry, and cultural history make it a deeply philosophical work. Whether you're a fan of Beat poetry or not, "The Plough of Time" is a work that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Plough of Time: A Timeless Classic

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "The Plough of Time" is a poem that has stood the test of time. It was first published in 1958, but its message is still relevant today. The poem is a reflection on the human condition and the passage of time. It is a powerful piece of poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct message. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It speaks of the plough of time, which is a metaphor for the passage of time. The plough is a tool used to till the soil, and in this context, it represents the way time shapes our lives. The plough of time is relentless, and it never stops. It is always moving forward, and we are all caught in its wake.

The second stanza is a reflection on the past. It speaks of the memories that we hold dear and the things that we have lost. The stanza is filled with nostalgia and regret. It speaks of the things that we wish we could have done differently and the things that we wish we could have held onto. The stanza is a reminder that the past is gone, and we can never go back.

The third stanza is a call to action. It speaks of the future and the things that we can do to shape it. The stanza is filled with hope and optimism. It speaks of the things that we can create and the things that we can achieve. The stanza is a reminder that the future is not set in stone, and we have the power to shape it.

The poem is filled with powerful imagery and metaphors. The plough of time is a metaphor for the passage of time, but it is also a metaphor for the way that time shapes our lives. The memories that we hold dear are like seeds that have been planted in the soil. They are the things that we have left behind, but they are also the things that have shaped us into who we are today. The future is like a field waiting to be tilled. It is full of potential, but it is up to us to shape it.

The poem is also filled with powerful language. Ferlinghetti's use of language is both poetic and powerful. He uses words like "plough," "furrow," and "till" to create a sense of movement and momentum. He also uses words like "nostalgia," "regret," and "hope" to create a sense of emotion and depth.

The poem is a reflection on the human condition. It speaks to the way that time shapes our lives and the things that we hold dear. It is a reminder that the past is gone, and we can never go back. It is also a call to action. It speaks of the things that we can create and the things that we can achieve. It is a reminder that the future is not set in stone, and we have the power to shape it.

In conclusion, "The Plough of Time" is a timeless classic. It is a powerful piece of poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a reflection on the human condition and the passage of time. It is a reminder that the past is gone, and we can never go back. It is also a call to action. It speaks of the things that we can create and the things that we can achieve. It is a reminder that the future is not set in stone, and we have the power to shape it. Ferlinghetti's use of language and imagery is both poetic and powerful. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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