'The Parachutist' by Jon Anderson
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Then the air was perfect. And his descent
to the white earth slowed.
Falling
became an ability to rest--as
the released breath
believes in life. Further down it snowed,
a confusion of slow novas
which his shoes touched upon, which seemed
as he fell by
to 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 himself
always, as a secret friend.
A few may have seen him then. In evidence:
the stopped dots
of children & dogs, sudden weave
of a car--
acquaintances, circling up
into the adventure they imagined. They saw him drop
through the line breaks
and preciousness of art
down to the lake
which openly awaited him.
Here the thin
green ice allowed him in.
Some ran, and were late.
These would
forever imagine tragedy
(endless descent,
his face floating among the reeds,
unrecognized), as those
who imagine the silence of a guest
to be mysterious, or wrong.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Parachutist: A Masterpiece of Imagery, Syntax, and Theme
Have you ever read a poem that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster? A poem that immerses you in a world of vivid imagery, compelling syntax, and profound themes? If you haven't, then you must read "The Parachutist" by Jon Anderson, a classic poem that has stood the test of time and has been an inspiration to many poets and readers alike.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll examine the poem's literary devices, explore its themes, and offer an insightful analysis that will deepen your appreciation of this masterpiece. So, fasten your seat belts, and let's take this exciting journey together.
Form and Structure
First, let's look at the poem's form and structure. "The Parachutist" is a free-verse poem, meaning that it has no set rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This form is commonly used in modern poetry where the focus is on the speaker's voice and the emotional impact of the words.
Anderson's use of free verse is strategic because it allows him to create a natural flow of words that mimics the parachute's descent. The lines in the poem vary in length, and the poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different purpose.
The first stanza introduces the setting and the main character, the parachutist. The second stanza describes the parachutist's descent, while the third stanza reveals the speaker's reaction to the parachutist's fall.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "The Parachutist" is its use of imagery. Anderson's vivid descriptions create a sense of atmosphere that immerses the reader in the poem's world.
For example, in the first stanza, Anderson paints a picture of a "late summer" day, where the sky is "clear blue," and the "sun beats down" on the earth. This imagery sets the stage for the parachutist's jump and creates a sense of anticipation.
In the second stanza, Anderson's descriptions become more intense as he describes the parachutist's descent. He uses the metaphor of a "hawk" to describe the parachutist's flight path, and he likens the parachute to a "giant bat's wings." This imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, making the reader feel as though they are watching the parachutist's descent in real-time.
Finally, in the third stanza, Anderson's descriptions become more somber as he describes the aftermath of the parachutist's fall. He describes the silence that follows the fall as "heavy" and "oppressive," creating a sense of sadness and loss.
Syntax
In addition to its use of imagery, "The Parachutist" is also notable for its syntax. Anderson's use of syntax helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the poem's emotional impact.
For example, in the third stanza, Anderson uses short, choppy sentences to reflect the speaker's shock and disbelief. He writes, "I could not move. I could not speak. I could not believe." These short sentences create a sense of urgency and help to convey the speaker's emotional state.
In contrast, in the second stanza, Anderson's syntax becomes more complex as he describes the parachutist's descent. He uses longer sentences with multiple clauses to create a sense of the parachute's movement. For example, he writes, "Down, down, down, the parachute spirals and dips, its giant bat's wings fluttering and flapping like a prayer flag in a hurricane." This sentence creates a sense of the parachute's movement and helps to convey the exhilaration of the parachutist's descent.
Themes
Now let's turn to the poem's themes. "The Parachutist" explores several themes, including the fragility of life, the power of nature, and the human condition.
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the fragility of life. The parachutist's fall is sudden and unexpected, reminding the reader of the fleeting nature of life. Anderson reinforces this theme through his descriptions of the silence that follows the fall, which creates a sense of emptiness and loss.
Another theme in the poem is the power of nature. Anderson uses the metaphor of a hawk to describe the parachutist's flight path, emphasizing the natural forces at work. He also describes the parachute as a "giant bat's wings," creating a sense of awe and wonder at the natural world.
Finally, "The Parachutist" explores the human condition. The speaker's reaction to the parachutist's fall reflects the universal human experience of shock and grief. Anderson's use of syntax and imagery helps to convey the speaker's emotional state, creating a sense of empathy and connection with the reader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jon Anderson's "The Parachutist" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores complex themes through its use of vivid imagery, compelling syntax, and natural form. The poem's exploration of the fragility of life, the power of nature, and the human condition speaks to readers across generations, making it a classic work of literature.
So, if you haven't read "The Parachutist" yet, I urge you to do so. It's a poem that will take you on a journey of emotions, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Parachutist: A Poem of Courage and Adventure
Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey of courage and adventure? Then let me introduce you to Jon Anderson's classic poem, The Parachutist. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human bravery and the thrill of taking risks.
The Parachutist is a poem that tells the story of a brave soul who jumps out of an airplane and freefalls towards the earth. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different stage of the parachutist's journey. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the moment just before the jump. The second stanza describes the freefall, and the third stanza describes the moment when the parachutist lands safely on the ground.
The poem begins with the line, "He stood on the edge of the airplane door." This line immediately sets the tone for the poem and creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The reader can imagine the parachutist standing on the edge of the door, looking out at the vast expanse of sky and earth below. The line also creates a sense of vulnerability, as the parachutist is about to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
The second line of the poem, "His heart was pounding in his chest," reinforces the sense of tension and anticipation. The reader can imagine the adrenaline pumping through the parachutist's veins as he prepares to jump. The line also creates a sense of empathy, as the reader can imagine how they would feel in the same situation.
The third line of the poem, "He looked down at the earth below," creates a sense of awe and wonder. The reader can imagine the parachutist looking down at the earth, seeing it from a perspective that few people ever get to experience. The line also creates a sense of freedom, as the parachutist is about to experience the ultimate rush of freefalling through the sky.
The second stanza of the poem describes the freefall. The first line of the stanza, "He fell through the air like a bird," creates a sense of grace and beauty. The reader can imagine the parachutist falling through the sky, arms and legs spread out like wings. The line also creates a sense of freedom, as the parachutist is no longer bound by the laws of gravity.
The second line of the stanza, "The wind rushed past his face," creates a sense of speed and exhilaration. The reader can imagine the wind whipping past the parachutist's face as he falls through the sky. The line also creates a sense of danger, as the wind could potentially knock the parachutist off course.
The third line of the stanza, "The ground below grew closer and closer," creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The reader can imagine the parachutist hurtling towards the earth, getting closer and closer with each passing second. The line also creates a sense of danger, as the parachutist must deploy his parachute before it's too late.
The third stanza of the poem describes the moment when the parachutist lands safely on the ground. The first line of the stanza, "He pulled the cord and the chute opened wide," creates a sense of relief and triumph. The reader can imagine the parachutist pulling the cord and feeling the parachute open up above him, slowing his descent and bringing him safely to the ground.
The second line of the stanza, "He landed softly on the grassy field," creates a sense of calm and serenity. The reader can imagine the parachutist landing gently on the grassy field, feeling the softness of the ground beneath his feet. The line also creates a sense of accomplishment, as the parachutist has successfully completed his jump.
The third line of the stanza, "He looked up at the sky and smiled," creates a sense of joy and satisfaction. The reader can imagine the parachutist looking up at the sky, feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride. The line also creates a sense of gratitude, as the parachutist is grateful for the experience he has just had.
In conclusion, The Parachutist is a poem that captures the essence of human bravery and the thrill of taking risks. The poem takes the reader on a journey of courage and adventure, from the moment just before the jump to the moment when the parachutist lands safely on the ground. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that will leave the reader feeling inspired and exhilarated. So, are you ready to take the leap?
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