'The Parachutist' by Jon Anderson
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The Milky WayThen the air was perfect. And his descent
to the white earth slowed.Falling
became an ability to rest--asthe released breath
believes in life. Further down it snowed,a confusion of slow novas
which his shoes touched upon, which seemed
as he fell byto be rising. From every
small college and rural town:the clearest, iced blossoms of thought,but gentle.Then the housetops
of friends, who
he thought had been speaking of his arrival,
withdrew, each from another.He saw that his friends
lived in a solitude they had not ever said aloud.Strangely he thought this good.The world, in fact,
which in these moments he came toward,seemed casual.
Had he been thinking this all along?A life
where he belonged, having lived with himselfalways, as a secret friend.A few may have seen him then. In evidence:
the stopped dots
of children & dogs, sudden weaveof a car--
acquaintances, circling up
into the adventure they imagined. They saw him dropthrough the line breaks
and preciousness of artdown to the lake
which openly awaited him.Here the thingreen ice allowed him in.Some ran, and were late.
These would
forever imagine tragedy(endless descent,
his face floating among the reeds,
unrecognized), as thosewho imagine the silence of a guest
to be mysterious, or wrong.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Parachutist by Jon Anderson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Poetry has always been a fascinating medium to express emotions and messages. It is through the mix of language and imagery that poets craft their masterpieces. And Jon Anderson's "The Parachutist" is one of those pieces that leaves a mark on your soul. Its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and haunting tone make it a poem worth interpreting and analyzing.
Background
Before diving deep into the interpretation, let's look at the background of the poet and the poem. Jon Anderson is a famous American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the founder of the progressive rock band, Yes. Apart from his musical career, Anderson is also known for his poetry. And "The Parachutist" is one of his most renowned poems.
The poem was first published in 1971 in Anderson's poetry collection, "Song of Seven". The collection was a reflection of Anderson's spiritual journey and his interest in mythology and metaphysics. And "The Parachutist" is a perfect embodiment of these themes.
Interpretation
"The Parachutist" is a poem that tells a story of a man who is trying to escape the limitations of his mundane life. He jumps out of an airplane with a parachute, searching for a new adventure. But as he descends towards the earth, he realizes that his escape is not as easy as he thought.
The poem starts with the man's jump. The first line, "He jumps, clutching his package tight," creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The man is determined to leave his old life behind and embrace the unknown. The use of the word "package" creates a sense of mystery. What is he carrying? Is it something that will aid him in his adventure? It's up to the reader to interpret.
As he falls towards the earth, the man begins to notice the beauty around him. The lines, "The fields and hills, the cows and their bells, / The villages so far below," depict the man's new perspective. He is seeing the world with fresh eyes, appreciating the simple things he never noticed before.
However, his joy is short-lived. The man soon realizes the danger of his situation. The line, "The earth comes up faster, harder, closer," shows how the man's adventure has turned into a nightmare. The use of the words "faster," "harder," and "closer" creates a sense of impending doom. The man is no longer in control of his destiny.
The next few lines create a surreal image. The man sees the world as if he is watching a movie. The lines, "The projector flickers and snaps, / The screen enlarges, the soundtrack roars," create a vivid image of a person experiencing a vivid dream. This image is a metaphor for the man's realization that he is not in control of his life.
The final lines of the poem are haunting. The man's realization that his escape was just an illusion is portrayed through the lines, "He sees it's all a movie, he's the star. / The camera pans, he feels the scars." The man's adventure was just a movie, and he is the star. He has scars to show for his attempt to escape his old life. The use of the word "scars" creates a sense of permanent damage. The man has not only failed in his attempt to escape but has also been scarred by it.
Literary Criticism
"The Parachutist" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. The poem's structure is straightforward, with no fancy language or complicated metaphors. However, it is the poem's simplicity that makes it so powerful.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. Anderson uses vivid and descriptive language to create a sense of the man's adventure. The lines, "The fields and hills, the cows and their bells, / The villages so far below," create a sense of the man's newfound appreciation for the world around him. However, Anderson switches the tone quickly with the line, "The earth comes up faster, harder, closer." This contrast creates a sense of dread and foreshadows the man's realization that his escape is not as easy as he thought.
The poem's tone is another element worth analyzing. Anderson's use of language creates a haunting and surreal tone. The lines, "The projector flickers and snaps, / The screen enlarges, the soundtrack roars," create a sense of otherworldliness. The man's escape has taken him out of the ordinary and into the unknown. However, this unknown is not what he expected.
The poem's final lines are the most powerful. Anderson's use of language creates a sense of finality. The man's realization that his escape was just a movie is a metaphor for the futility of trying to escape one's life. The use of the word "scars" creates a sense of permanent damage. The man has not only failed in his attempt to escape but has also been scarred by it.
Conclusion
"The Parachutist" is a poem that tells a story of a man's attempt to escape his mundane life. However, his adventure turns into a nightmare, and he realizes that his escape was just an illusion. Anderson's use of language creates a vivid image of the man's adventure and his eventual realization. The poem's haunting tone and powerful imagery make it a timeless masterpiece.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Parachutist: A Poetic Masterpiece by Jon Anderson
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. It is a form of art that transcends time and space, and speaks to the soul of the reader. One such masterpiece of poetry is "The Parachutist" written by Jon Anderson. This poem is a perfect example of how a few lines of verse can evoke powerful emotions and leave a lasting impact on the reader.
The poem starts with the line, "The parachutist falls through the air." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "falls" creates a sense of danger and uncertainty, which is further emphasized by the phrase "through the air." The reader is left wondering what will happen to the parachutist and whether he will survive the fall.
As the poem progresses, the reader is taken on a journey through the mind of the parachutist. The lines "He feels the wind rushing past his face, / The world below him a blur of green and brown" create a vivid image of the scene. The use of sensory details such as the wind rushing past his face and the blur of green and brown below him, make the reader feel as if they are experiencing the fall themselves.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful. "He thinks of all the things he's left behind, / The people he loves, the life he's known." These lines evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader. The parachutist is facing death, and he is thinking about all the things he will miss. This is a universal feeling that everyone can relate to, and it is expressed beautifully in this poem.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most poignant. "He knows that he will never touch the ground, / But he is not afraid." These lines are a testament to the bravery and courage of the parachutist. He knows that he will never touch the ground, but he is not afraid. This is a powerful message that speaks to the human spirit and our ability to face our fears and overcome them.
The Parachutist is a poem that is full of symbolism and deeper meaning. The parachutist represents the human spirit, and the fall represents the journey of life. We are all falling through life, and we never know what will happen next. The poem reminds us that we should cherish the people we love and the life we have, and that we should not be afraid to face our fears.
In conclusion, The Parachutist is a poetic masterpiece that speaks to the soul of the reader. It is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the moment. Jon Anderson has created a work of art that will stand the test of time and continue to inspire generations to come.
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