'The Bed By The Window' by Robinson Jeffers

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I chose the bed downstairs by the sea-window for a good death-bed
When we built the house, it is ready waiting,
Unused unless by some guest in a twelvemonth, who hardly suspects
Its latter purpose. I often regard it,
With neither dislike nor desire; rather with both, so equalled
That they kill each other and a crystalline interest
Remains alone. We are safe to finish what we have to finish;
And then it will sound rather like music
When the patient daemon behind the screen of sea-rock and sky
Thumps with his staff, and calls thrice: "Come, Jeffers."


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Desolation: An Analysis of "The Bed By The Window" by Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers was a poet who lived from 1887 to 1962. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in a family of literary and intellectual figures. Jeffers was a prolific writer, composing hundreds of poems throughout his life. One of his most famous works is "The Bed By The Window".

This poem is a powerful exploration of human mortality and the natural world. Jeffers uses vivid imagery to describe a person's final days as they lie in bed by a window, looking out at the ocean. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which offers a different perspective on death.

The First Section: The Impossibility of Escape

The first section of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the work. Jeffers describes the setting of the poem, a room with a bed by a window overlooking the ocean. The speaker tells us that the person lying in the bed is dying, and that the ocean outside the window is a constant reminder of this fact.

The imagery in this section is incredibly powerful. Jeffers uses words like "grim" and "desolate" to describe the scene. He tells us that the person in the bed is "like a dead man," and that the ocean outside the window is "the mirror of his eyes." The speaker also notes that the person in the bed is unable to escape their fate. They are "chained" to their bed, and "they would escape if they could."

This section of the poem is incredibly bleak, and it sets the tone for the rest of the work. Jeffers is exploring the idea that death is something that we cannot escape. No matter how much we might want to, we cannot avoid our own mortality.

The Second Section: The Beauty of the Natural World

The second section of the poem is a stunning celebration of the natural world. Jeffers describes the ocean outside the window in vivid detail, using language that is both beautiful and haunting.

The speaker tells us that the ocean is "a creature of life," and that it is "a great beauty." He notes that the waves are "eternal," and that they are "the voice of the earth." Jeffers also describes the rocks along the shore as being "like hard gray bones," and he tells us that the ocean is "a wild and beautiful thing."

The imagery in this section of the poem is incredibly powerful. Jeffers is using the natural world to show us that there is beauty in even the most desolate of places. The ocean outside the window is a symbol of life and vitality, even as the person in the bed is dying.

The Third Section: The Final Moment

The third and final section of the poem is a meditation on the moment of death. Jeffers tells us that the person in the bed is "dying slowly," and that they are "waiting for the last hour." The speaker notes that death is "a strange and silent thing," and that it comes "without sound or warning."

Jeffers also uses powerful imagery to describe the moment of death. He tells us that the person in the bed will "fall asleep forever," and that their "bones will be washed by the waves." He notes that death is "a strange and silent thing," and that it is "the end of all things."

The final lines of the poem are incredibly moving. Jeffers tells us that the person in the bed has "gone to the ultimate darkness," and that they are now "forever still." The ocean outside the window is still there, but now it is "no longer a mirror." The person in the bed is gone, and the natural world continues on without them.

Conclusion

"The Bed By The Window" is an incredibly powerful poem that explores the themes of mortality and the natural world. Jeffers uses vivid imagery to describe a person's final days as they lie in bed by a window, looking out at the ocean. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which offers a different perspective on death.

The first section of the poem is incredibly bleak, and it sets the tone for the rest of the work. Jeffers is exploring the idea that death is something that we cannot escape. No matter how much we might want to, we cannot avoid our own mortality.

The second section of the poem is a stunning celebration of the natural world. Jeffers uses the ocean outside the window to show us that there is beauty in even the most desolate of places.

The third and final section of the poem is a meditation on the moment of death. Jeffers uses powerful imagery to describe the final moments of the person in the bed, and he tells us that death is "the end of all things."

Overall, "The Bed By The Window" is an incredibly moving and thought-provoking poem. Jeffers' exploration of mortality and the natural world is both beautiful and haunting, and it is a testament to his skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bed By The Window: A Poem of Life and Death

Robinson Jeffers, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time. The Bed By The Window is a masterpiece that explores the themes of life and death, hope and despair, and the human condition. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its meaning, symbolism, and significance.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a hospital room, where two patients lie in their beds. One bed is by the window, while the other is by the door. The patient by the window has a view of the outside world, while the other patient can only see the wall. The poem sets up a contrast between the two patients, highlighting the difference between life and death, hope and despair.

The patient by the window is described as a man who is full of life. He is curious about the world outside, and he watches the birds and the trees with wonder. He is hopeful and optimistic, and he dreams of the day when he will be able to leave the hospital and explore the world. The patient by the door, on the other hand, is described as a man who has given up on life. He is resigned to his fate, and he has no hope for the future. He is bitter and angry, and he resents the patient by the window for his optimism.

The poem then takes a dark turn, as we learn that the patient by the window is dying. He is wasting away, and he knows that his time is running out. He is haunted by the thought that he will never be able to leave the hospital, and he is filled with regret for all the things he will never be able to do. He is consumed by his own mortality, and he is afraid of what lies beyond.

The poem then shifts to the perspective of the patient by the door. He watches as the patient by the window slowly fades away, and he is filled with a sense of dread. He realizes that he too will die one day, and he is afraid of what lies beyond. He is filled with regret for all the things he has not done, and he is consumed by his own mortality.

The poem ends with a powerful image of the patient by the window, who has died. His body lies in the bed, but his spirit has flown away. He is free from the pain and suffering of the world, and he is at peace. The patient by the door watches as the body is taken away, and he is filled with a sense of awe. He realizes that death is not the end, but a new beginning. He is filled with hope for the future, and he is no longer afraid of what lies beyond.

The Bed By The Window is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life and death, hope and despair, and the human condition. The poem is full of symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the text. The bed by the window represents life, while the bed by the door represents death. The patient by the window represents hope and optimism, while the patient by the door represents despair and resignation. The birds and the trees represent the beauty of the world, while the wall represents the limitations of life.

The poem also explores the idea of mortality, and the fear that comes with it. The patient by the window is consumed by his own mortality, and he is afraid of what lies beyond. He is haunted by the thought that he will never be able to leave the hospital, and he is filled with regret for all the things he will never be able to do. The patient by the door is also consumed by his own mortality, but he is able to find hope in the face of death. He realizes that death is not the end, but a new beginning, and he is no longer afraid of what lies beyond.

The poem also explores the idea of freedom, and the release that comes with death. The patient by the window is free from the pain and suffering of the world, and he is at peace. His spirit has flown away, and he is no longer bound by the limitations of life. The patient by the door watches as the body is taken away, and he is filled with a sense of awe. He realizes that death is not the end, but a new beginning, and he is filled with hope for the future.

In conclusion, The Bed By The Window is a masterpiece that explores the themes of life and death, hope and despair, and the human condition. The poem is full of symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the text. The poem is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. The poem is also a reminder that death is not the end, but a new beginning, and that we should not be afraid of what lies beyond. The Bed By The Window is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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