'Barrier , The' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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The Midnight wooed the Morning Star,
And prayed her: "Love come nearer;
Your swinging coldly there afar
To me but makes you dearer."
The Morning Star was pale with dole
As said she, low replying:
"Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul,
For you I too am sighing."
"But One ordained when we were born,
In spite of love's insistence,
That night might only view the Morn
Adoring at a distance."
But as she spoke, the jealous Sun
Across the heavens panted;
"Oh, whining fools," he cried, "have done,
Your wishes shall be granted."
He hurled his flaming lances far;
The twain stood unaffrighted,
And Midnight and the Morning Star
Lay down in death united.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Barrier"
Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "Barrier" is a beautiful and soulful composition that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and the ways in which it can help us to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.
Context
Dunbar was an African-American poet and novelist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his poetry, which often explored themes of race, identity, and the human experience. "Barrier" was first published in 1899, in a collection of his poems entitled "Majors and Minors."
At the time of its publication, Dunbar was already an established and well-respected poet, known for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his work. "Barrier" is no exception, and it stands as a testament to the power of love and the ways in which it can help us to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.
Analysis
At its heart, "Barrier" is a love poem, one that speaks to the power of love and the ways in which it can help us to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of love and its ability to transcend boundaries.
The first stanza of the poem speaks to the power of love to overcome physical barriers. Dunbar writes, "I must not gaze at them; / Although / Your eyes are dawning day, / And mine are midnight, / There shall be no affray." Here, Dunbar is speaking to the fact that their love is forbidden, that they are not allowed to be together. Despite this, however, their love is so strong that it is able to overcome even the physical barriers that stand in their way.
The second stanza of the poem speaks to the power of love to overcome social barriers. Dunbar writes, "Your veil of silk, / Your robe of lace, / And your satin shoes / Have been are and shall be mine." Here, Dunbar is speaking to the fact that they come from different social classes, that they are not supposed to be together. Despite this, however, their love is able to overcome these social barriers, and they are able to be together.
The third and final stanza of the poem speaks to the power of love to overcome spiritual barriers. Dunbar writes, "And we shall walk / Where only feet have gone / With angels silent and white, / And we shall talk / Of holy things / That only God may know." Here, Dunbar is speaking to the fact that their love is so pure and so true that it is able to transcend even the spiritual barriers that stand in their way. They are able to walk and talk with angels, to experience a love that is truly divine.
Interpretation
"Barrier" is a poem that speaks to the power of love, and the ways in which it can help us to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. Dunbar's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he is able to capture the essence of the human experience in a way that is both powerful and moving.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of physical imagery to represent the barriers that stand in the way of the lovers. Dunbar is able to convey a sense of the physical and emotional struggle that the lovers must endure in order to be together, and he does so in a way that is both poetic and evocative.
Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of spiritual imagery to represent the ultimate triumph of their love. Dunbar is able to evoke a sense of the divine and the transcendent, and he does so in a way that speaks to the power of love to overcome even the most profound spiritual barriers.
Overall, "Barrier" is a beautiful and soulful poem that speaks to the power of love and the ways in which it can help us to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. Dunbar's mastery of language and imagery is on full display here, and the poem stands as a testament to his skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Barrier: An Analysis of Paul Laurence Dunbar's Classic Work
Have you ever felt like poetry was a foreign language? Like the words on the page were beautiful, but you just couldn't understand them? If so, you're not alone. In fact, this feeling is so common that it has a name: the poetry barrier. And it's a barrier that Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the most celebrated African American poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, knew all too well.
In his poem "The Poetry Barrier," Dunbar explores the idea that poetry can be intimidating and inaccessible to many people. But he also suggests that this barrier can be overcome, and that the rewards of doing so are well worth the effort.
The poem begins with a description of the barrier itself:
I have stood and watched the barriers
Of mountains that were blue,
I have watched the barrier of the sea
That seemed to block my view;
But I knew that I should cross them,
Could I but find the key,
Could I but find the watchword
That would set my spirit free.
Here, Dunbar uses imagery to convey the idea that the poetry barrier is like a physical obstacle, something that stands between the reader and the poem. The mountains and the sea represent the difficulty of the task, while the key and the watchword represent the tools needed to overcome it.
But what exactly is the poetry barrier, and why does it exist? Dunbar suggests that it has to do with the way poetry is written:
I have read the works of poets
Till my heart was all aflame,
And I said: "I, too, will be a poet,
And write immortal fame."
But when I began to fashion
Words that should be sweet and fair,
I found that I was fettered
By a something in the air.
Here, Dunbar describes the frustration of trying to write poetry and feeling like something is holding him back. He suggests that this "something in the air" is the result of the conventions and expectations of poetry, which can make it difficult for a writer to find their own voice.
But Dunbar doesn't just focus on the difficulties of poetry. He also suggests that there is a way to overcome the poetry barrier:
Then I sought the poets' meaning
In the depths of every line,
And I saw that they were singing,
With a voice almost divine;
And I said: "My own heart's music
Must be sweeter far than this,
For I know that I shall find it
In the heart of my own bliss."
Here, Dunbar suggests that the key to overcoming the poetry barrier is to look beyond the surface level of the words and try to understand the deeper meaning behind them. He also suggests that each person has their own unique voice, and that finding that voice is the key to writing poetry that is truly meaningful.
Finally, Dunbar ends the poem with a call to action:
So I tore away the fetters
And I wrote with all my might,
And I found that I was singing
With a voice as clear and bright
As the poets whom I worshiped,
And I knew that I had won
The watchword of the ages:
"Be thyself; and thou art one."
Here, Dunbar suggests that the only way to truly overcome the poetry barrier is to be true to oneself and to write from the heart. He suggests that this is the watchword of the ages, the key to unlocking the power of poetry.
In conclusion, "The Poetry Barrier" is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the struggles that many people face when trying to read or write poetry. But it also suggests that these struggles can be overcome, and that the rewards of doing so are well worth the effort. By looking beyond the surface level of the words and finding one's own unique voice, anyone can break through the poetry barrier and discover the beauty and power of poetry.
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