'On Eastnor Knoll' by John Masefield
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SILENT are the woods, and the dim green boughs are
Hushed in the twilight: yonder, in the path through
The apple orchard, is a tired plough-boy
Calling the cows home.
A bright white star blinks, the pale moon rounds, but
Still the red, lurid wreckage of the sunset
Smoulders in smoky fire, and burns on
The misty hill-tops.
Ghostly it grows, and darker, the burning
Fades into smoke, and now the gusty oaks are
A silent army of phantoms thronging
A land of shadows.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Eastnor Knoll: A Study of John Masefield's Poetry
As the wind whistles through the leaves and the sun casts long shadows across the hilltop, John Masefield's "On Eastnor Knoll" comes to life. It is a poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the English countryside. Set against the backdrop of the Malvern Hills, the poem is a celebration of the power and majesty of the natural world.
Background
John Masefield was born in 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire. He spent his early years in the countryside, where he developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. His poetry is often inspired by his surroundings, and "On Eastnor Knoll" is no exception. The poem was first published in 1911 in Masefield's collection "The Everlasting Mercy," which also included his famous narrative poem of the same name.
Structure and Form
"On Eastnor Knoll" is a sonnet, a form that Masefield favored throughout his career. It consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a steady, rhythmic flow. This traditional form allows Masefield to focus on the natural world and the emotions it evokes.
Interpretation
The poem begins with a description of the natural world. The first two lines set the scene: "Up here, with the swifts and the black swifts, The children of summer, the swifts and the black swifts." Masefield's use of repetition emphasizes the presence of these birds and their importance to the poem. The swifts, with their swift and graceful flight, represent the beauty and freedom of nature.
As the poem continues, Masefield turns his attention to the landscape around him. He describes the "sapphire" of the sky and the "sunset's opal" in the west. The colors of the sky and the sun create a vivid image of the beauty of the natural world. Masefield then moves on to describe the hills themselves, referring to them as "old brown hills." The use of the word "old" here suggests a sense of history and timelessness, reinforcing the idea that nature has been here long before us and will remain after we are gone.
Masefield then goes on to describe the "dwarf oaks" and the "blackthorn, white with May." These are plants that are native to the area and are part of the natural landscape. Masefield's attention to these details shows his deep knowledge and love of the countryside.
The final quatrain of the poem is the most emotional. Masefield speaks directly to the landscape, addressing it as "you." He asks the hills, "What do you think when you see us, the makers of war?" This question highlights the contrast between the beauty of nature and the violence of human conflict. Despite our destructive tendencies, the hills remain steadfast and unchanged.
The final couplet is a powerful statement on the value of nature. Masefield writes, "Sorrow is on the artificer who wastes Earth like a ten-minute toy. / Since beauty is free and never will die, give me beauty for joy." Here, Masefield suggests that the pursuit of beauty is more valuable than the pursuit of wealth or power. The natural world is a source of beauty that is freely available to all, and it is something that should be treasured and celebrated.
Themes
The themes of "On Eastnor Knoll" are closely tied to its subject matter. The poem is primarily concerned with the beauty and power of nature, as well as its timelessness and endurance. Masefield contrasts the natural world with the destructive tendencies of humans, emphasizing the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of joy. Masefield argues that beauty and joy are inseparable, and that the pursuit of beauty is a worthy goal in life. This theme is echoed in many of Masefield's other works, including "The Everlasting Mercy," which celebrates the joy of redemption.
Conclusion
John Masefield's "On Eastnor Knoll" is a powerful celebration of the natural world. Through his use of vivid imagery and traditional poetic form, Masefield captures the beauty and majesty of the Malvern Hills. The poem is a reminder of the enduring value of nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations. It is a testament to Masefield's love of the English countryside and his belief in the power of beauty to bring joy and meaning to life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On Eastnor Knoll: A Masterpiece of Nature and Emotion
John Masefield's Poetry On Eastnor Knoll is a masterpiece of nature and emotion. This poem is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to create a vivid image of a place and convey the emotions that it evokes. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit to appreciate it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem is set on Eastnor Knoll, a hill in Herefordshire, England. The poet describes the hill as a place of great beauty, with its "green and gold" grass and "purple heather." The hill is also home to a variety of wildlife, including "hares and rabbits" and "pheasants and partridges." The poet's description of the hill is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the grass under their feet and smell the scent of the heather.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the hill. The first stanza describes the hill's natural beauty, while the second stanza explores the emotions that the hill evokes in the poet. The third stanza is a reflection on the power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
In the first stanza, the poet describes the hill as a place of great natural beauty. He uses vivid imagery to create a picture of the hill in the reader's mind. The grass is "green and gold," and the heather is "purple." The hill is also home to a variety of wildlife, including hares, rabbits, pheasants, and partridges. The poet's description of the hill is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the grass under their feet and smell the scent of the heather.
In the second stanza, the poet explores the emotions that the hill evokes in him. He describes how he feels "the joy of life" when he is on the hill, and how he is "lifted up" by the beauty of nature. The poet also describes how he feels a sense of "peace" when he is on the hill, and how he is "free from care" when he is surrounded by nature. The emotions that the poet describes are universal, and anyone who has spent time in nature can relate to them.
In the third stanza, the poet reflects on the power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit. He describes how the hill is a "temple" where he can "worship" nature. The poet also describes how nature can help us to "forget our troubles" and "find our peace." The poem ends with the poet expressing his gratitude for the beauty of nature and the emotions that it evokes in him.
The language that the poet uses in the poem is simple and direct, but it is also very powerful. The use of vivid imagery helps to create a picture of the hill in the reader's mind, and the use of emotive language helps to convey the emotions that the hill evokes in the poet. The poem is also full of metaphors and similes, which help to create a deeper understanding of the poet's emotions.
For example, in the second stanza, the poet describes how he feels "lifted up" by the beauty of nature. This is a metaphor that helps to convey the sense of joy and elation that the poet feels when he is on the hill. The use of the metaphor helps to create a deeper understanding of the poet's emotions and makes the poem more powerful.
In conclusion, Poetry On Eastnor Knoll is a masterpiece of nature and emotion. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit to appreciate it. The poet's use of vivid imagery, emotive language, and metaphors helps to create a powerful and evocative picture of the hill in the reader's mind. The poem is a reminder of the importance of nature in our lives and the emotions that it can evoke in us. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and uplift readers for generations to come.
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