'To The House' by Robinson Jeffers
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I am heaping the bones of the old mother
To build us a hold against the host of the air;
Granite the blood-heat of her youth
Held molten in hot darkness against the heart
Hardened to temper under the feet
Of the ocean cavalry that are maned with snow
And march from the remotest west.
This is the primitive rock, here in the wet
Quarry under the shadow of waves
Whose hollows mouthed the dawn; little house each stone
Baptized from that abysmal font
The sea and the secret earth gave bonds to affirm you.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
To The House: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robinson Jeffers was a celebrated American poet known for his powerful and vivid descriptions of the California coast and its natural surroundings. His poems are often characterized by a deep appreciation of nature and a sense of isolation from the modern world. "To The House" is one of his famous works that explores these themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem.
Analysis of the Poem
"To The House" is a short and simple poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem contains a wealth of imagery and meaning. The poem begins with the speaker addressing the house, which is described as "old" and "lonely." The use of the adjective "old" suggests that the house has been around for a long time and has witnessed many changes in the surrounding landscape. The adjective "lonely" implies that the house is isolated and cut off from the rest of the world.
The second line of the poem reads, "Hating the sun, yet always in its light." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the house resents the sun for its brightness but can never escape its rays. The house is described as always being in the light, which creates a sense of tension between the house and the natural world. The use of the word "hating" also suggests that the house has a certain degree of agency and emotion, which is unusual for an inanimate object.
The third line reads, "The fragrance of the apricots was like a fire." This line is significant because it introduces the element of smell into the poem. The use of the simile "like a fire" suggests that the fragrance of the apricots is intense and overwhelming. The use of the word "fire" also creates a sense of danger and destruction, which adds to the tension in the poem.
The fourth line reads, "The sunlight caught on the chimney." This line is an example of Jeffers' vivid and detailed descriptions of the natural world. The use of the word "caught" suggests that the sunlight is trapped or captured by the chimney, which creates an interesting visual image.
The fifth line reads, "A lizard ran over the roof-paper." This line is significant because it introduces the image of a lizard into the poem. The use of the word "ran" suggests that the lizard is moving quickly and adds to the sense of movement and activity in the poem.
The final line of the poem reads, "Returning, it vanished like a dart into the undergrowth." This line is significant because it suggests that the lizard is returning to a familiar place but then disappears suddenly into the undergrowth. The use of the word "dart" suggests that the lizard is moving quickly and creates a sense of energy and vitality.
Themes and Significance
One of the key themes of "To The House" is the tension between nature and the man-made world. The house is described as being isolated and cut off from the natural world, which creates a sense of tension and conflict. The house resents the sun for its brightness but can never escape its rays. Similarly, the fragrance of the apricots is described as being intense and overwhelming, which creates a sense of danger and destruction. The use of the word "fire" is particularly significant in this context because it suggests that the natural world is both beautiful and dangerous.
Another important theme of the poem is the passage of time. The house is described as being "old" and having witnessed many changes in the surrounding landscape. The use of the adjective "lonely" also suggests that the house has been standing for a long time and has witnessed many changes in the world around it. Similarly, the lizard is described as returning to a familiar place but then disappearing suddenly, which creates a sense of movement and change.
Finally, the poem also explores the relationship between humans and animals. The lizard is described as moving quickly and disappearing suddenly, which creates a sense of energy and vitality. The use of the word "dart" is particularly significant in this context because it suggests that the lizard is both agile and quick. This creates a sense of admiration for the lizard and its abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To The House" is a powerful and vivid poem that explores the themes of nature, isolation, and the passage of time. Jeffers' use of imagery and language creates a sense of tension and conflict between the natural world and the man-made world. The poem also explores the relationship between humans and animals, creating a sense of admiration and respect for the natural world. "To The House" is a testament to Jeffers' skill as a poet and his deep appreciation of the natural world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To The House: A Poem of Nature and Human Connection
Robinson Jeffers’ poem, To The House, is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world, and a meditation on the ways in which humans can connect with it. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Jeffers invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.
The poem begins with a description of a house that is situated in a remote and wild landscape. The house is described as being “lonely” and “silent”, and it is surrounded by “the great hills” and “the wild sea”. This setting immediately establishes a sense of isolation and solitude, and it suggests that the house is a place where one can escape from the noise and chaos of the modern world.
As the poem progresses, Jeffers begins to explore the relationship between the house and the natural world. He describes the house as being “built of stone” and “rooted in the rock”, which suggests that it is a part of the landscape rather than an imposition upon it. The house is also described as being “open to the winds” and “facing the storm”, which suggests that it is a place where one can experience the full force of nature.
Jeffers’ use of language in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. He uses words like “wild”, “storm”, and “thunder” to create a sense of drama and excitement, and he contrasts these with words like “peace” and “quiet” to create a sense of balance and harmony. This creates a sense of tension in the poem, as if the house is constantly on the brink of being overwhelmed by the natural world.
As the poem progresses, Jeffers begins to explore the relationship between humans and nature. He describes the house as being “a place of peace” and “a place of rest”, which suggests that it is a place where one can find refuge from the stresses and strains of modern life. He also describes the house as being “a place of beauty” and “a place of joy”, which suggests that it is a place where one can experience the wonder and awe of the natural world.
Jeffers’ use of language in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. He uses words like “beauty”, “joy”, and “wonder” to create a sense of awe and reverence, and he contrasts these with words like “stress” and “strain” to create a sense of contrast and conflict. This creates a sense of tension in the poem, as if the beauty and wonder of the natural world is constantly at odds with the stresses and strains of modern life.
As the poem progresses, Jeffers begins to explore the relationship between humans and nature in more detail. He describes the house as being “a place of love” and “a place of peace”, which suggests that it is a place where one can experience the deep connection between humans and nature. He also describes the house as being “a place of healing” and “a place of rest”, which suggests that it is a place where one can find solace and comfort in the face of life’s challenges.
Jeffers’ use of language in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. He uses words like “love”, “healing”, and “solace” to create a sense of comfort and reassurance, and he contrasts these with words like “pain” and “sorrow” to create a sense of contrast and conflict. This creates a sense of tension in the poem, as if the connection between humans and nature is constantly being tested by the challenges of life.
In the final section of the poem, Jeffers brings together all of the themes that he has explored throughout the poem. He describes the house as being “a place of peace” and “a place of rest”, and he suggests that it is a place where one can find refuge from the storms of life. He also describes the house as being “a place of beauty” and “a place of joy”, and he suggests that it is a place where one can experience the wonder and awe of the natural world.
Jeffers’ use of language in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. He uses words like “peace”, “rest”, “beauty”, and “joy” to create a sense of harmony and balance, and he contrasts these with words like “storm” and “thunder” to create a sense of tension and drama. This creates a sense of resolution in the poem, as if the connection between humans and nature has been reaffirmed and strengthened.
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers’ poem, To The House, is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Jeffers invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and our place within it. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world, and a meditation on the ways in which humans can connect with it. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of all who love nature and seek to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
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