'From The Graveyard By The Sea' by Delmore Schwartz


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(After Valery)


This hushed surface where the doves parade
Amid the pines vibrates, amid the graves;
Here the noon's justice unites all fires when
The sea aspires forever to begin again and again.
O what a gratification comes after long meditation
O satisfaction, after long meditation or ratiocination
Upon the calm of the gods
Upon the divine serenity, in luxurious contemplation!

What pure toil of perfect lightning enwombs, consumes,
Each various manifold jewel of imperceptible foam,
And how profound a peace appears to be begotten and
begun
When upon the abyss the sunlight seems to pause,
The pure effects of an eternal cause:
Time itself sparkles, to dream and to know are one....

Editor 1 Interpretation

From The Graveyard By The Sea: A Haunting Masterpiece

By Delmore Schwartz

From the Graveyard By The Sea is a haunting and melancholic poem written by Delmore Schwartz, one of the most significant poets of the 20th century. The poem was published in his first book of poems, In Dreams Begin Responsibilities, which was published in 1938. The poem tells the story of a man who wanders through a graveyard by the sea, reflecting on his life and the inevitability of death. The poem is full of vivid imagery and symbolism, and it speaks to the human experience of mortality and the search for meaning in life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in From the Graveyard By The Sea and examine how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.

Themes

From the Graveyard By The Sea explores several themes that are central to the human experience. One of the primary themes of the poem is mortality. The speaker of the poem is in a graveyard, surrounded by the graves of those who have passed away. He reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared but rather a natural part of life. The poem also explores the theme of isolation. The speaker is alone in the graveyard, and he feels disconnected from the world around him. He is searching for meaning and purpose in his life but feels lost and disconnected. The poem suggests that the search for meaning and purpose in life is a common human experience, and that we are all searching for something to give our lives meaning.

Imagery

From the Graveyard By The Sea is full of vivid and evocative imagery that helps to create the poem's haunting atmosphere. The graveyard is described as a "black and ancient mote," and the graves are "numb and silent." The sea is also a prominent image in the poem. It is described as "crashing and moaning," and it is juxtaposed with the stillness of the graveyard. The sea represents the vastness of the world and the unknown, while the graveyard represents the finite nature of human life. The imagery in the poem contributes to the overall theme of mortality and isolation. The stillness of the graveyard and the crashing of the sea create a sense of contrast and tension that reflects the speaker's inner turmoil.

Symbolism

From the Graveyard By The Sea is also rich in symbolism, which adds layers of meaning to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the graveyard itself. The graveyard represents death and the fleeting nature of human life. The speaker is surrounded by the graves of those who have passed away, and he reflects on his own mortality. The graveyard symbolizes the inevitability of death and the idea that life is fleeting. Another important symbol in the poem is the sea. The sea represents the unknown and the vastness of the world. It is a symbol of the mysteries of life and the universe. The speaker is drawn to the sea, and he yearns to explore its depths. The sea symbolizes the search for meaning and purpose in life.

Interpretation

From the Graveyard By The Sea is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the human experience of mortality and the search for meaning and purpose in life. The poem is full of vivid imagery and symbolism, and it creates a sense of tension and contrast that reflects the speaker's inner turmoil. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared but rather a natural part of life. The graveyard represents the fleeting nature of human life, while the sea symbolizes the vastness of the world and the mysteries of life. The search for meaning and purpose in life is a common human experience, and the poem suggests that we are all searching for something to give our lives meaning.

Conclusion

From the Graveyard By The Sea is a haunting and melancholic poem that speaks to the human experience of mortality and the search for meaning in life. The poem is full of vivid imagery and symbolism, and it creates a sense of tension and contrast that reflects the speaker's inner turmoil. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that the search for meaning and purpose in life is a common human experience. Overall, From the Graveyard By The Sea is a haunting masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

From The Graveyard By The Sea: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem

Delmore Schwartz’s From The Graveyard By The Sea is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful. It is a work of art that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the eternal struggle of the human soul. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this classic poem.

The poem begins with a description of a graveyard by the sea. The speaker describes the tombstones as “white as the surf” and the sea as “black as the stones.” This contrast between the white tombstones and the black sea sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a reminder that life and death are intertwined, and that the sea is a symbol of the eternal cycle of life and death.

The speaker then describes a woman who is walking through the graveyard. She is described as “pale as the mist” and “fragile as a flower.” This woman is a symbol of life and beauty in the midst of death and decay. She is a reminder that even in the darkest of places, there is still hope and beauty to be found.

As the woman walks through the graveyard, she comes across a tombstone that is “newly carved.” This tombstone is a symbol of death and loss. It is a reminder that even though life goes on, death is always present. The speaker then describes the woman as “weeping bitterly.” Her tears are a symbol of the pain and sorrow that comes with loss.

The speaker then turns his attention to the sea. He describes it as “eternal” and “mysterious.” The sea is a symbol of the unknown and the infinite. It is a reminder that there is more to life than what we can see and understand.

The speaker then describes the waves as “chanting a dirge.” A dirge is a funeral song, and the waves are a reminder that death is a part of life. The sea is a symbol of the eternal cycle of life and death, and the waves are a reminder that this cycle will continue long after we are gone.

The speaker then turns his attention back to the woman. He describes her as “lost in thought.” Her thoughts are a symbol of the human soul. They are a reminder that even in the midst of pain and sorrow, there is still hope and beauty to be found.

The speaker then describes the woman as “gazing seaward.” Her gaze is a symbol of hope and longing. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of places, there is still a glimmer of hope.

The speaker then describes the woman as “listening to the waves.” Her listening is a symbol of the human soul’s connection to the infinite. It is a reminder that even though we are finite beings, we are still connected to something greater than ourselves.

The speaker then describes the woman as “lost in the music of the sea.” Her lostness is a symbol of the human soul’s longing for something greater than itself. It is a reminder that even though we are finite beings, we are still connected to the infinite.

The speaker then describes the woman as “forgetting the pain of the past.” Her forgetting is a symbol of the human soul’s ability to heal and move on. It is a reminder that even though we may experience pain and sorrow, we have the ability to overcome it and find joy and beauty in life.

The speaker then ends the poem with the line, “And the sea sings eternal.” This line is a reminder that even though life may be fleeting, the sea and the eternal cycle of life and death will continue on forever.

In conclusion, From The Graveyard By The Sea is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the eternal struggle of the human soul. The imagery and symbolism in this poem are powerful reminders that even in the darkest of places, there is still hope and beauty to be found. It is a work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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