'Reapers' by Jean Toomer
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Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones
Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones
In their hip-pockets as a thing that's done,
And start their silent swinging, one by one.
Black horses drive a mower through the weeds,
And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,
His belly close to ground. I see the blade,
Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade.
Submitted by Stephen Fryer
Editor 1 Interpretation
Reaping the Riches of Reapers: A Literary Analysis of Jean Toomer's Classic Poem
Jean Toomer's poem, "Reapers," is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the spirit of the African American experience in the early 20th century. With its vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and profound themes, the poem showcases Toomer's genius as a poet and as a keen observer of human nature. In this essay, we will explore the different layers of meaning in "Reapers," analyze its poetic devices, and discuss the historical and cultural contexts that shaped it. So, let's get ready to reap the riches of "Reapers"!
The Harvest of Images
One of the most striking features of "Reapers" is its abundance of sensory images that transport the reader to a rural landscape where black laborers toil under the hot sun. From the opening lines, the poem sets the tone of hard work and endurance:
Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones
Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones
In their hip-pockets as a thing that's done,
And start their silent swinging, one by one.
Here, we hear the metallic sound of the scythes being sharpened, see the workers putting the hones in their pockets, and feel the weight of the blades as they cut through the wheat. The language is simple and direct, but it conveys a sense of rhythm and harmony that echoes the swinging of the scythes. We can almost hear the workers breathing and sweating as they move in unison, like a choir or an orchestra.
As the poem progresses, we encounter more and more images that evoke the beauty and harshness of the natural world. We see the wheat bending and ripening, the sun burning down on the workers, the birds flying overhead, and the shadowy figures of the reapers moving in a "maze of grace" (line 5). The poem also contrasts the natural cycles of life and death with the human cycles of labor and rest:
Sixteen men on the dead man's chest--
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest--
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
These lines, borrowed from a popular sea shanty, suggest the fleetingness of life and the inevitability of death. The juxtaposition of the carefree drinking song with the grim reality of the dead man's chest is jarring, but it also reveals the resilience and humor of the workers in the face of adversity.
The Music of Words
Another aspect of "Reapers" that deserves attention is its musicality. Toomer uses a variety of poetic devices to create a rhythm and melody that enhance the meaning of the words. For example, the repetition of the phrase "yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" in the middle of the poem creates a refrain that echoes the sound of the scythes and the workers' chants. The alliteration and assonance in lines like "maze of grace" and "steel on stones" add a musical quality to the language that draws the reader in.
The poem also plays with the syntax and grammar of the sentences, breaking them into fragments and shifting the emphasis from one word to another. For instance, in the line "Till the sun is gone, and the shadows deepen," the pause after "sun" and the stress on "shadows" create a sense of anticipation and foreboding. Similarly, in the line "Whispering, 'Now,'" the comma and the quotation marks give the word "Now" a special emphasis that suggests a moment of revelation or epiphany.
Overall, the music of "Reapers" reflects the emotions and experiences of the workers, who speak and sing in a language that is both poetic and grounded in the rhythms of the land.
The Context of Culture
To fully appreciate the significance of "Reapers," we need to consider its historical and cultural contexts. The poem was written in the 1920s, a decade marked by racial segregation, violence, and discrimination against African Americans. Toomer himself was a mixed-race writer who struggled with his identity and his place in society. His poetry reflects his interest in African American folklore, spirituality, and music, as well as his desire to transcend racial boundaries and create a universal art.
"Reapers" can be seen as a response to the social and political climate of the time, as well as a celebration of the resilience and dignity of black workers. The poem portrays the reapers as a community of equals who work together and share their joys and sorrows. They are not presented as victims or heroes, but as human beings who have a connection to the land and to each other.
Moreover, the poem incorporates elements of African American culture, such as the use of call-and-response and the inclusion of a folk song. The reference to the sea shanty "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" may seem out of place in a poem about rural labor, but it also suggests the interconnection between different forms of labor and leisure, and the fluidity of cultural exchange.
The Significance of Reaping
So, what does "Reapers" mean? What message does Toomer want to convey through this poem? There are many possible interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective and background. However, I would argue that the main theme of "Reapers" is the idea of reaping, both as a physical and a spiritual act.
On the one hand, the poem depicts the reapers as skilled and efficient workers who know how to harvest the wheat and sharpen their tools. They are proud of their craft and take pleasure in the fruits of their labor. They are also aware of the cyclical nature of farming, and they accept the inevitability of death and renewal. In this sense, the poem celebrates the value of hard work, cooperation, and respect for the natural world.
On the other hand, "Reapers" can be read as a metaphor for the human condition, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. The reapers are not only harvesting wheat, but also reaping the rewards of their faith and their community. They are united by a sense of shared destiny and a belief in something greater than themselves. The image of the "maze of grace" suggests that life is not a straight line, but a journey full of surprises and challenges. The reapers are not afraid to face the unknown, because they trust in their own abilities and in the guidance of a higher power.
In conclusion, "Reapers" is a rich and complex poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation. Its images, music, and cultural contexts offer a glimpse into the African American experience and the human condition. Jean Toomer's legacy as a poet and a visionary is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues of race, identity, and social justice. The poem reminds us that we are all reapers, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny and create a better world for ourselves and for others. So, let us pick up our scythes and start swinging, one by one!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Reapers: A Poem of Life and Death
Jean Toomer's poem "Reapers" is a powerful and evocative work that explores the themes of life and death, labor and rest, and the cyclical nature of existence. Written in 1923, during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, the poem reflects the experiences and struggles of African Americans in the early 20th century, as they worked to build a better future for themselves and their families.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the reapers, who are working in the fields under the hot sun. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Toomer uses rich imagery and sensory details to create a sense of urgency and intensity:
"Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones In their hip-pockets as a thing that's done, And start their silent swinging, one by one."
The use of the color black in the first line immediately establishes the racial identity of the reapers, who are likely African American laborers. The sound of steel on stones suggests the hard work and physical labor involved in their job, while the sharpening of scythes symbolizes the preparation for the harvest, which is a time of both abundance and loss.
Toomer's use of the word "silent" in the second line is particularly effective, as it emphasizes the quiet determination and focus of the reapers as they begin their work. The repetition of the phrase "one by one" at the end of the stanza reinforces the idea of individual effort and the importance of each person's contribution to the collective task.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the natural world, as Toomer describes the landscape and the changing seasons:
"Gray-silk skies, and the pale mist high-arching, Spreads its opalescent shade where gray cows are marching. Magnolia leaves on gold-green banks Croon songs to the hobbling, gaitered ranks Of tired men, slaves of the muddy banks, Who bend to the task of hoeing cotton."
The use of color and texture in this stanza is particularly striking, as Toomer contrasts the gray skies and mist with the gold-green banks and magnolia leaves. The image of the gray cows marching suggests the slow and steady progress of time, while the hobbling, gaitered ranks of tired men evoke a sense of weariness and struggle.
The phrase "slaves of the muddy banks" is a powerful reminder of the history of slavery and oppression that has shaped the lives of African Americans in the United States. The use of the word "slaves" in this context is especially poignant, as it suggests that even in the post-Civil War era, many African Americans were still bound by the legacy of slavery and the limitations it imposed on their lives.
The third stanza of the poem returns to the reapers, who are now working in the heat of the day:
"Dusk is here, but the reapers are still at their toil, The sickle-swept acres of cotton close to the soil. And now, in the night, the reapers singing, Old songs, old blues, while the dead leaves swing."
The use of the word "toil" in the first line emphasizes the physical effort and endurance required of the reapers, who are working long hours in difficult conditions. The sickle-swept acres of cotton suggest the abundance of the harvest, but also the inevitability of loss and death.
The image of the reapers singing old songs and blues in the night is a poignant reminder of the role that music has played in the lives of African Americans, both as a source of comfort and a means of expression. The dead leaves swinging in the breeze suggest the cyclical nature of life and death, and the idea that even in the midst of loss and sorrow, there is still beauty and hope.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of life and death full circle, as Toomer describes the reapers at the end of their work:
"Morning, and a quickening breeze, Scatters the chaff blinding the eyes of the reapers. And now, the dawn, gray and rose, And the reapers singing in the fields, while the crows Fly over, cawing, toward homes of mourning."
The use of the word "quickening" in the first line suggests a sense of renewal and rebirth, as the reapers prepare to begin a new day. The scattering of the chaff symbolizes the separation of the valuable from the worthless, and the idea that even in the midst of loss and death, there is still something of value to be gained.
The dawn, with its gray and rose hues, suggests the beauty and fragility of life, while the reapers singing in the fields evoke a sense of joy and celebration. The crows flying over, cawing, toward homes of mourning, is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death and the need to honor and remember those who have passed on.
In conclusion, Jean Toomer's poem "Reapers" is a powerful and evocative work that explores the themes of life and death, labor and rest, and the cyclical nature of existence. Through his use of rich imagery and sensory details, Toomer creates a vivid and compelling portrait of African American life in the early 20th century, and reminds us of the enduring power of music, beauty, and hope in the face of struggle and loss.
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