'The Orient Express' by Randall Jarrell
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One looks from the train
Almost as one looked as a child. In the sunlight
What I see still seems to me plain,
I am safe; but at evening
As the lands darken, a questioning
Precariousness comes over everything.
Once after a day of rain
I lay longing to be cold; after a while
I was cold again, and hunched shivering
Under the quilt's many colors, gray
With the dull ending of the winter day,
Outside me there were a few shapes
Of chairs and tables, things from a primer;
Outside the window
There were the chairs and tables of the world ...
I saw that the world
That had seemed to me the plain
Gray mask of all that was strange
Behind it -- of all that was -- was all.
But it is beyond belief.
One thinks, "Behind everything
An unforced joy, an unwilling
Sadness (a willing sadness, a forced joy)
Moves changelessly"; one looks from the train
And there is something, the same thing
Behind everything: all these little villages,
A passing woman, a field of grain,
The man who says good-bye to his wife --
A path through a wood all full of lives, and the train
Passing, after all unchangeable
And not now ever to stop, like a heart --
It is like any other work of art,
It is and never can be changed.
Behind everything there is always
The unknown unwanted life.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Orient Express: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
When it comes to literary works that capture the essence of a specific time and place, few poems can match the power and beauty of Randall Jarrell's "The Orient Express." Written in 1940, at the height of the Second World War, the poem presents a vivid and haunting portrait of a journey through Europe on a train that symbolizes all the hopes and fears of a generation. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, symbols, imagery, and language, and showing how it speaks to our own time as well as to the past.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it's useful to know some basic facts about Randall Jarrell and the historical context in which he wrote "The Orient Express." Jarrell was an American poet, critic, and novelist, born in Tennessee in 1914 and died in 1965. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II and wrote extensively about the war and its impact on society and culture. "The Orient Express" was published in Jarrell's second book of poetry, "Little Friend, Little Friend," in 1945, but it was written in 1940, when Jarrell was teaching at Kenyon College in Ohio.
The poem takes its title from a famous train that ran from Paris to Istanbul, passing through many European cities and countries along the way. The Orient Express was a luxury train that attracted wealthy and famous passengers, but it also served as a means of transportation for ordinary people, including soldiers and refugees. During the war, the train was used by the Germans to transport prisoners and loot from conquered territories. The train has become a symbol of adventure, romance, and danger, and it has inspired many films, novels, and songs.
Structure and Style
At first glance, "The Orient Express" seems like a simple narrative poem, recounting a journey on a train from Paris to Vienna. The poem is divided into three parts, each corresponding to one day of the trip. The first part describes the departure from Paris and the arrival in Strasbourg; the second part covers the journey from Strasbourg to Munich; and the third part relates the journey from Munich to Vienna. Each part consists of several stanzas, varying in length from one to four lines, and each stanza has a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB).
However, as we read the poem more closely, we discover that it is not a straightforward narrative, but a complex meditation on memory, identity, time, and death. The poem is not concerned with plot or character, but with atmosphere, mood, and symbolism. The speaker of the poem is not identified, but it is clear that he is a passenger on the train, observing the passing landscape and reflecting on his own thoughts and feelings. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, combining concrete details with abstract concepts, and using a variety of literary devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, and alliteration. The poem is written in free verse, but it has a musical quality, with a rhythm and melody that enhance its emotional impact.
Themes and Symbols
One of the main themes of "The Orient Express" is the contrast between the beauty and horror of the world. The train passes through many picturesque landscapes, such as the Alsace-Lorraine region, the Black Forest, and the Danube valley, and the speaker marvels at the "fields of sunflowers" and the "green hillsides." However, these idyllic scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of destruction and violence, such as the ruins of a cathedral, the bombed-out factories, and the military convoys. The speaker observes the "piles of rubble" and the "lifeless villages" that bear witness to the war's devastation, and he feels a sense of despair and helplessness. The train itself becomes a symbol of this contrast, as it carries both pleasure-seekers and war victims, both joy and sorrow.
Another theme of the poem is the passage of time and the transience of life. The train is a moving metaphor for this theme, as it rushes through the landscape, leaving behind a trail of memories and emotions. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence, on the inevitability of aging and death, and on the impossibility of recapturing the past. He sees himself as a "ghost" or a "shadow" that is "frozen" in time, unable to escape the inexorable march of history. The train's whistle becomes a haunting reminder of this theme, as it signals the passing moments and the approaching end.
A third theme of the poem is the search for identity and meaning in a chaotic world. The speaker is not only a witness to the war's horrors, but also a participant in the journey, trying to make sense of his own role in the drama. He questions his own motives and desires, wondering if they are noble or selfish, and he wonders if he is capable of making a difference in the world. He is also aware of his own mortality, and he struggles to find a sense of purpose in the face of death. The train becomes a metaphor for this theme, as it carries people with different backgrounds and aspirations, all trying to find their place in the world.
Interpretation
Now that we have explored the themes and symbols of "The Orient Express," we can offer some interpretations of the poem and its relevance to our own time. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a critique of war and its impact on human civilization. The train journey can be seen as a microcosm of the war itself, with its mixture of beauty and horror, pleasure and pain, and hope and despair. The poem can be read as a warning against the destructive power of war, and as a call for peace and understanding among nations. The poem can also be seen as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, as it celebrates the capacity of people to find meaning and beauty in the midst of chaos and suffering.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of memory and identity. The train journey can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life, with its moments of joy and sadness, of love and loss, of growth and decay. The poem can be read as a reflection on the human condition, on our need for connection and meaning, on our search for self-awareness and self-expression. The poem can also be seen as a reminder of the fragility of memory and the importance of preserving the past, as it urges us to learn from history and to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Orient Express" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of a particular time and place, while also speaking to universal themes and concerns. The poem is a complex and nuanced meditation on memory, identity, time, and death, and it uses the train journey as a powerful metaphor for the human experience. The poem is also a warning against war and a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, and it combines concrete details with abstract concepts, creating a vivid and haunting portrait of a world in crisis. The poem remains as relevant and powerful today as it was when it was written, and it stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Orient Express: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Randall Jarrell's "The Orient Express" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of a journey on the famous train. The poem is a vivid description of the sights, sounds, and emotions that one experiences while traveling on the Orient Express. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each describing a different aspect of the journey. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the train itself. The second stanza focuses on the passengers and their interactions, while the third stanza describes the journey's end.
The first stanza begins with a description of the train's arrival. The train is described as "a great black dragon" that "breathes fire and smoke." This metaphorical description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating an image of a powerful and majestic train. The train's arrival is also described as a "thunderous roar," emphasizing its power and speed.
The second half of the stanza describes the train's interior. The passengers are described as "a motley crew," emphasizing the diversity of the people on board. The train's compartments are described as "little rooms," creating a sense of intimacy and privacy. The description of the train's interior is vivid and detailed, creating a sense of being there.
The second stanza focuses on the passengers and their interactions. The stanza begins with a description of the passengers' clothing, emphasizing their individuality. The passengers are described as "a pageant of color and style," creating a sense of spectacle and grandeur.
The stanza then describes the passengers' interactions. The passengers are described as "a family of strangers," emphasizing the sense of community that develops on the train. The interactions between the passengers are described as "a dance of words," creating a sense of rhythm and movement.
The third stanza describes the journey's end. The stanza begins with a description of the train's arrival at its destination. The train is described as "a great black beast," emphasizing its power and speed. The passengers are described as "a family of friends," emphasizing the sense of community that has developed during the journey.
The stanza ends with a description of the passengers' departure. The passengers are described as "a scattering of leaves," emphasizing the sense of transience and impermanence. The poem ends with the line, "And the train goes on," emphasizing the sense of continuity and the never-ending journey.
Overall, "The Orient Express" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of a journey on the famous train. The poem is vivid and detailed, creating a sense of being there. The poem's use of metaphor and imagery is powerful, creating a sense of power and majesty. The poem's focus on the passengers and their interactions creates a sense of community and connection. The poem's ending emphasizes the sense of continuity and the never-ending journey. "The Orient Express" is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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