'Plowman 's Song' by Raymond Knister
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1Turn under, plow,
2My trouble;
3Turn under griefs
4And stubble.
5Turn mouse's nest,
6Gnawing years;
7Old roots up
8For new love's tears.
9Turn, plow, the clods
10For new thunder.
11Turn under, plow,
12Turn under.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Plowman's Song by Raymond Knister: An Ode to Rural Life
Have you ever felt the urge to abandon the city's hustle and bustle and escape to the countryside? Do you long for the simplicity and purity of rural life, unspoiled by the trappings of modern civilization? If so, you are not alone. In fact, many poets have celebrated the virtues of rural life, extolling its beauty, serenity, and authenticity. One such poet is Raymond Knister, whose "Plowman's Song" celebrates the joys and hardships of farming life.
Overview of the Poem
The "Plowman's Song" is a short poem of 14 lines, written in free verse. It was first published in 1925, in Knister's collection of poems entitled "White Narcissus". The poem is addressed to a plowman, who is portrayed as a heroic figure, toiling in the fields under the sun. The speaker of the poem expresses his admiration for the plowman's hard work and his envy of the plowman's simple and fulfilling life. The poem is suffused with a sense of nostalgia for an idealized past, where life was lived close to nature and the rhythms of the seasons.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the plowman in a tone of admiration and respect:
Plowman, plowman, brown on the furrow, Hard as the rocks and the roots you break, Brown on the burning noon, Brown on the sunset hour,
The repetition of the plowman's name emphasizes his importance and his physical presence. The image of the plowman as "brown on the furrow" suggests his close connection to the earth, his hard work in tilling the land. The use of the color brown also suggests the plowman's simplicity and unpretentiousness. The plowman is not adorned in colorful or fashionable clothes, but wears the earthy, natural color of the soil.
The second stanza continues the description of the plowman's physical labor, but also introduces a note of envy on the part of the speaker:
I envy you, brown on the furrow, Born to the soil and the wind and sun, Strong from your plowing up and down, Your oxen straining and sweating.
Here, the speaker expresses his desire to be like the plowman, to be "born to the soil and the wind and sun". The use of the word "born" suggests that the plowman's connection to the land is innate, whereas the speaker's connection is more tenuous. The speaker longs to be "strong from plowing up and down", to experience the physical exertion and satisfaction of hard work. The image of the oxen "straining and sweating" suggests the plowman's dependence on his animals, as well as his skill in managing them.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own life, and his sense of disconnection from the natural world:
I am not brown, and I know nothing Of the smell of the earth and the growing things, Of the feel of the wind and the sun on my skin, Of the content of turning from plow to house.
Here, the speaker contrasts his own urban existence with the plowman's rural one. He admits his lack of knowledge and experience of the natural world, and his sense of alienation from it. The phrase "the content of turning from plow to house" suggests the plowman's satisfaction in his work, and his ability to find fulfillment in simple tasks. The speaker, by contrast, feels unfulfilled and restless, unable to find meaning in his own life.
The poem concludes with a lyrical description of the plowman's world, and a final expression of admiration:
But you, brown on the furrow, Are close to the earth and the heart of things, A part of the soil and the wind and sun, And I envy you, plowman, I envy you.
The repetition of the phrase "brown on the furrow" reinforces the plowman's connection to the earth, and his role in cultivating it. The plowman is not just a laborer, but a "part of the soil and the wind and sun", a vital component of the natural world. The speaker's envy of the plowman is not just a desire for physical labor, but a longing for a deeper connection to the world around him.
Interpretation of the Poem
The "Plowman's Song" can be read as a celebration of rural life, and a critique of urbanization and industrialization. Knister portrays the plowman as a heroic figure, whose hard work and simple life are worthy of admiration. The speaker's envy of the plowman suggests a dissatisfaction with his own urban existence, and a longing for a more authentic and fulfilling life.
The poem can also be read as a critique of modernity, and a call for a return to simpler values. The plowman represents a way of life that is close to nature, and in tune with the rhythms of the seasons. His work is not just a means of earning a living, but a way of life that is fulfilling in itself. The speaker's envy of the plowman suggests a desire for a return to these values, and a rejection of the materialism and consumerism of modern society.
At the same time, however, the poem is not a simple nostalgia for an idealized past. Knister is not suggesting that we should all become plowmen, or that rural life is without its hardships and difficulties. Rather, he is celebrating a way of life that is grounded in the natural world, and that values hard work, simplicity, and connection to the land.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Raymond Knister's "Plowman's Song" is a powerful ode to rural life, and a critique of modernity and urbanization. The poem celebrates the virtues of hard work, simplicity, and connection to the natural world, and suggests that these values are worth preserving in a world that is increasingly disconnected from its roots. The plowman is not just a laborer, but a heroic figure, whose work is worthy of admiration and respect. The speaker's envy of the plowman suggests a longing for a more authentic and fulfilling life, and a rejection of the materialism and consumerism of modern society. Overall, the "Plowman's Song" is a timeless work of poetry, whose message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written nearly a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Plowman's Song: A Masterpiece of Canadian Literature
Raymond Knister's Poetry Plowman's Song is a classic piece of Canadian literature that has stood the test of time. Written in 1924, the poem is a celebration of the Canadian landscape and the hardworking farmers who toil on it. It is a powerful tribute to the beauty and majesty of the Canadian countryside, and a reminder of the importance of hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The poem is written in the form of a song, with a simple and repetitive structure that echoes the rhythms of the plowman's work. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the plowman singing out his joy and pride in his work:
"I am the plowman, I am the plowman, I turn the furrows deep and brown, I sing my song as I go along, And the fields are mine, all mine."
These lines capture the essence of the plowman's spirit, his love for the land and his pride in his work. The repetition of the phrase "I am the plowman" emphasizes the plowman's sense of identity and purpose, and the simple, rhythmic language of the poem creates a sense of harmony and unity with the natural world.
As the poem progresses, the plowman's song becomes more complex and nuanced, reflecting the challenges and struggles of life on the farm. He sings of the harshness of the winter, the heat of the summer, and the endless toil of the plowman's life. But even in the face of these challenges, the plowman remains steadfast and determined, singing out his love for the land and his commitment to his work:
"I am the plowman, I am the plowman, I work from dawn till setting sun, I sing my song as I go along, And the fields are mine, all mine."
These lines capture the plowman's tireless spirit, his willingness to work hard and persevere in the face of adversity. The repetition of the phrase "I am the plowman" reinforces the plowman's sense of identity and purpose, and the simple, rhythmic language of the poem creates a sense of harmony and unity with the natural world.
One of the most striking features of Poetry Plowman's Song is its vivid and evocative imagery. Knister's use of language is masterful, painting a rich and detailed picture of the Canadian landscape and the plowman's life. He describes the "rolling hills" and "wide, blue sky" of the prairies, the "golden fields" of wheat and barley, and the "deep, dark earth" that the plowman turns with his plow. These images create a sense of awe and wonder, capturing the beauty and majesty of the Canadian countryside.
But Knister's imagery is not just beautiful; it is also deeply symbolic. The plowman's work is a metaphor for the struggles and challenges of life, and his song is a reminder of the importance of hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity. The plowman's plow represents the tools we use to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, and his song represents the spirit of determination and resilience that drives us forward.
In many ways, Poetry Plowman's Song is a celebration of the Canadian spirit. It is a tribute to the hardworking farmers who have built this country, and a reminder of the values that have made Canada great. It is a testament to the beauty and majesty of the Canadian landscape, and a reminder of the importance of preserving it for future generations.
In conclusion, Raymond Knister's Poetry Plowman's Song is a masterpiece of Canadian literature that has stood the test of time. Its simple, rhythmic language and vivid imagery capture the beauty and majesty of the Canadian countryside, while its message of hard work and perseverance is a reminder of the values that have made Canada great. It is a powerful tribute to the plowman's spirit, and a reminder of the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations.
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