'Before The Flood' by W.S. Merwin
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Why did he promise me
that we would build ourselves
an ark all by ourselves
out in back of the house
on New York Avenue
in Union City New Jersey
to the singing of the streetcars
after the story
of Noah whom nobody
believed about the waters
that would rise over everything
when I told my father
I wanted us to build
an ark of our own there
in the back yard under
the kitchen could we do that
he told me that we could
I want to I said and will we
he promised me that we would
why did he promise that
I wanted us to start then
nobody will believe us
I said that we are building
an ark because the rains
are coming and that was true
nobody ever believed
we would build an ark there
nobody would believe
that the waters were coming
Editor 1 Interpretation
Before The Flood: A Masterpiece in Words
If there is one poem that can take you on a journey through time and space, it is W.S. Merwin's Before The Flood. This classic piece of literature is not just a poem, but a work of art that captures the essence of the human experience in a unique and profound way. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the heart of Before The Flood and explore its many layers of meaning.
A Brief Overview of Before The Flood
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to give a brief overview of Before The Flood. This poem was first published in 1962 in Merwin's debut collection, A Mask for Janus. It consists of 12 stanzas, each with 6 lines, and is written in free verse. The poem is a meditation on the idea of destruction and the inevitability of change. It explores themes of time, memory, and the human condition in a way that is both profound and accessible.
The Power of Imagery in Before The Flood
One of the most striking features of Before The Flood is its powerful use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Merwin creates vivid and evocative images that transport the reader to different times and places. For example, in the first stanza, he describes a landscape that is barren and lifeless:
The air is dry; the earth is hard;
The rocks are piled like blackened bones
And all the waters of the hills
Have drained away;
The wells are choked with sand and stones.
These images create a sense of desolation and hopelessness that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. They also suggest a world that has been ravaged by some kind of disaster, perhaps a flood or a prolonged drought.
As the poem progresses, Merwin continues to use vivid imagery to explore the theme of destruction. In the third stanza, he describes a city that has been abandoned:
The houses stand empty; the streets are deserted;
The windows stare like eyeless skulls;
The doors swing open, creaking on hinges
That have rusted away;
The wind whistles through the empty rooms.
These images create a sense of abandonment and decay, suggesting that the city has been abandoned for a long time. They also hint at the transience of human civilization, reminding us that even the greatest cities can be reduced to ruins.
The Importance of Time in Before The Flood
Time is a central theme in Before The Flood. Throughout the poem, Merwin explores the idea of time as a destructive force that erases all trace of human existence. He suggests that everything that we build and create will eventually be destroyed by time, leaving behind only memories and echoes of the past.
This idea is most clearly expressed in the sixth stanza:
The days go by like water
Under the bridges;
The air is thin and cold;
The leaves have fallen;
The trees are bare;
The rivers have frozen.
These lines create a sense of time passing, of the world moving on and leaving us behind. They also suggest that time is a relentless force that cannot be stopped or slowed down.
The Role of Memory in Before The Flood
Memory is another important theme in Before The Flood. Throughout the poem, Merwin suggests that memory is the only thing that can survive the ravages of time. He suggests that memories are like seeds that can be planted in the fertile soil of the mind, growing and thriving even as the world around us decays.
This idea is most clearly expressed in the ninth stanza:
But memory is not changed
By death, and what I remember
Is still living, and what I forget
Is dead already.
These lines suggest that memory is a kind of immortality, allowing us to hold onto the things that matter most even as everything else fades away. They also suggest that memory has a transformative power, allowing us to reshape the past in the light of the present.
The Importance of Language in Before The Flood
Language is another important theme in Before The Flood. Throughout the poem, Merwin uses language as a way to capture the fleeting moments of human experience, giving them a kind of permanence that they might not otherwise have.
This idea is most clearly expressed in the eleventh stanza:
And so I speak,
Into the sparkling foam,
Into the driving wind,
The roaring water,
And the dark, silent earth.
These lines suggest that language is a way of reaching out to the world, connecting with it in a meaningful way. They also suggest that language has a kind of magic, allowing us to create something new and beautiful out of the raw materials of the world around us.
Conclusion: Before The Flood is a Masterpiece
In conclusion, Before The Flood is a masterpiece of language and imagery. It explores some of the most profound themes in human experience, from the transience of time to the power of memory and language. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, reminding us that even as the world around us decays, there are things that we can hold onto that will never fade away. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading Before The Flood, I highly recommend it. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Before The Flood: A Poetic Masterpiece
W.S. Merwin's "Before The Flood" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a reflection on the destructive power of nature and the inevitability of change. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of a world that is on the brink of destruction. The speaker describes a flood that is about to engulf the land, and the people who live there are powerless to stop it. The imagery used in this opening stanza is vivid and evocative. The flood is described as a "great wave" that is "rolling over the mountains." The use of the word "rolling" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the flood is an unstoppable force that cannot be contained.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the impact of the flood on the people who live in its path. The imagery used here is particularly powerful. The speaker describes the people as "huddled on the roofs" and "clinging to the trees." This creates a sense of desperation and helplessness, as if the people are at the mercy of the elements.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker reflects on the beauty of the world before the flood. The imagery used here is strikingly different from that used in the opening stanza. The speaker describes a world that is "green and gold" and "full of life." This creates a sense of nostalgia for a world that has been lost.
The poem then returns to the present, as the speaker reflects on the aftermath of the flood. The imagery used here is bleak and desolate. The speaker describes a world that is "gray and empty" and "silent as a tomb." This creates a sense of loss and despair, as if the world will never be the same again.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses language that is both powerful and evocative. The use of repetition, for example, is particularly effective. The phrase "before the flood" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of nostalgia for a world that has been lost. The use of metaphor is also effective. The flood is described as a "great wave," which creates a sense of power and inevitability.
The themes of the poem are also worth exploring. One of the main themes is the destructive power of nature. The flood is portrayed as an unstoppable force that cannot be contained. This creates a sense of awe and respect for the power of nature.
Another theme is the inevitability of change. The poem suggests that change is inevitable, and that we must learn to adapt to it. This creates a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Before The Flood" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the human experience. The imagery, language, and themes used in the poem are all effective in creating a sense of awe and respect for the power of nature, as well as a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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