'Each And All' by Ralph Waldo Emerson


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Little thinks, in the field, yon red-cloaked clown,
Of thee, from the hill-top looking down;
And the heifer, that lows in the upland farm,
Far-heard, lows not thine ear to charm;
The sexton tolling the bell at noon,
Dreams not that great Napoleon
Stops his horse, and lists with delight,
Whilst his files sweep round yon Alpine height;
Nor knowest thou what argument
Thy life to thy neighbor's creed has lent:
All are needed by each one,
Nothing is fair or good alone.

I thought the sparrow's note from heaven,
Singing at dawn on the alder bough;
I brought him home in his nest at even;—
He sings the song, but it pleases not now;
For I did not bring home the river and sky;
He sang to my ear; they sang to my eye.

The delicate shells lay on the shore;
The bubbles of the latest wave
Fresh pearls to their enamel gave;
And the bellowing of the savage sea
Greeted their safe escape to me;
I wiped away the weeds and foam,
And fetched my sea-born treasures home;
But the poor, unsightly, noisome things
Had left their beauty on the shore
With the sun, and the sand, and the wild uproar.

The lover watched his graceful maid
As 'mid the virgin train she strayed,
Nor knew her beauty's best attire
Was woven still by the snow-white quire;
At last she came to his hermitage,
Like the bird from the woodlands to the cage,—
The gay enchantment was undone,
A gentle wife, but fairy none.

Then I said, "I covet Truth;
Beauty is unripe childhood's cheat,—
I leave it behind with the games of youth."
As I spoke, beneath my feet
The ground-pine curled its pretty wreath,
Running over the club-moss burrs;
I inhaled the violet's breath;
Around me stood the oaks and firs;
Pine cones and acorns lay on the ground;
Above me soared the eternal sky,
Full of light and deity;
Again I saw, again I heard,
The rolling river, the morning bird;—
Beauty through my senses stole,
I yielded myself to the perfect whole.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Each And All by Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Masterpiece of Transcendentalism

Ralph Waldo Emerson is widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets of the 19th century. His works are characterized by their philosophical depth, their intense spiritualism, and their vivid, often lyrical language. Among Emerson's most celebrated poems is "Each And All," which was first published in 1847 as part of his collection, "Poems."

At its core, "Each And All" is a meditation on the interconnectedness of all things. It is a poem that seeks to explore the fundamental unity of nature and humanity, and to celebrate the beauty and mystery of life itself. Through a series of vivid images and metaphors, Emerson invites us to contemplate the essence of existence, and to see ourselves as part of a larger, more profound reality.

##The Unity of Nature and Humanity

At the heart of "Each And All" is the idea that all things are connected. Emerson suggests that there is a fundamental unity to the world, a oneness that binds us all together. This is evident in the very first stanza of the poem, in which he writes:

Little thinks, in the field, yon red-cloaked clown, Of thee from the hill-top looking down; And the heifer, that lows in the upland farm, Far-heard, lows not thine ear to charm; The sexton, tolling his bell at noon, Deems not that great Napoleon Stops his horse, and lists with delight, Whilst his files sweep round yon Alpine height;

Here, Emerson presents us with a series of disparate images: a farmer in the field, a cow on a hill, a church bell tolling at noon, and Napoleon on horseback. These are all vastly different things, and yet they are all connected by the fact that they exist in the same world. The farmer, the cow, the church bell, and Napoleon are all part of a larger whole, and each contributes to the richness and complexity of the world around us.

Emerson revisits this theme of interconnectedness throughout the poem, using a variety of metaphors to illustrate his point. For example, he describes the flower as "an eye / Able to turn thy monitor / Back on thy secret thoughts awhile." Here, Emerson suggests that even something as small and seemingly insignificant as a flower has the power to reveal deeper truths about ourselves and the world we inhabit.

##The Beauty and Mystery of Life

In addition to exploring the interconnectedness of all things, "Each And All" is also a celebration of the beauty and mystery of life. Emerson is fascinated by the world around him, and he revels in the intricacies and complexities of the natural world. He writes:

Sunshine, that gleams so bright and warm, And cheers the morn and lights the day; Who, sweetly opening through the room, Mak'st all our nature's vesture gay; Beams on thee, like thy own, the sun: Soul of Nature! I thy spirit come, Breathing the universal bliss Wherein the great alone are blest.

Here, Emerson is struck by the sheer radiance of the sun, which brings warmth and light to the world. He sees the sun as a symbol of the beauty and vitality of life, and he suggests that the very essence of existence is something to be celebrated and cherished.

At the same time, however, Emerson is acutely aware of the mystery and uncertainty that surrounds life. He acknowledges that there are many things we cannot understand or explain, and that the world is full of both beauty and darkness. He writes:

And, looking to the heaven, that bends above ye, How oft! alas, ye might have said, Like us, some mute, inglorious Milton here May rest, some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood. The applause of listening senates to command, The threats of pain and ruin to despise, To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, And read their history in a nation's eyes,

Here, Emerson contrasts the beauty and wonder of the natural world with the darker realities of human existence. He suggests that even the most brilliant and talented among us may go unnoticed and unappreciated, and that there are many who suffer and struggle in the face of adversity. At the same time, however, he suggests that there is a kind of nobility in persevering through hardship, and that the human spirit is capable of great resilience and strength.

##Conclusion

In conclusion, "Each And All" is a masterful work of poetry that captures the essence of Emerson's transcendentalist philosophy. Through its vivid imagery, its lyrical language, and its profound insights into the nature of existence, the poem invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger, more complex reality. It inspires us to embrace the beauty and mystery of life, and to celebrate the interconnectedness of all things. Ultimately, "Each And All" is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, and a call to embrace our place in the world with humility, wonder, and grace.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Each And All: A Masterpiece of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, poet, and philosopher, is known for his transcendentalist ideas and his contribution to the American literary movement. His poem, Each And All, is a masterpiece that reflects his belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the beauty of nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem, Each And All, is a celebration of nature and its beauty. It begins with the speaker admiring a single flower, which he describes as "a miracle." He then expands his focus to the entire natural world, stating that "all are needed by each one." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of each individual part.

Emerson's transcendentalist beliefs are evident throughout the poem. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the spiritual and intuitive aspects of human experience. It emphasizes the importance of individualism, self-reliance, and the natural world. Each And All reflects these ideas, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of each individual part of nature and the beauty of the natural world.

The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This structure gives the poem a musical quality and emphasizes the repetition of the themes of interconnectedness and beauty.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker admiring a single flower. He describes it as a "miracle," emphasizing its beauty and uniqueness. The second stanza expands the focus to the entire natural world, stating that "all are needed by each one." This line emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of each individual part.

The third stanza continues this theme, stating that "nothing is fair or good alone." This line emphasizes the importance of the relationships between different parts of nature and the beauty that arises from these relationships. The fourth stanza expands on this idea, stating that "all that we behold is full of blessings." This line emphasizes the beauty of the natural world and the importance of appreciating it.

The fifth stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own experience, stating that "I cannot see what flowers are at my feet." This line emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us. The final stanza concludes the poem, stating that "each and all are meant to be," emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of each individual part.

Throughout the poem, Emerson uses a variety of literary devices to emphasize his themes. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "each and all" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. The repetition of the rhyme scheme also gives the poem a musical quality, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world.

Emerson also uses imagery to emphasize his themes. The image of the single flower in the first stanza emphasizes the beauty and uniqueness of each individual part of nature. The image of the natural world in the second stanza emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. The image of the speaker's own experience in the fifth stanza emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.

In conclusion, Each And All is a masterpiece of Ralph Waldo Emerson that reflects his transcendentalist beliefs and his appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. The poem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of each individual part. Through its structure, literary devices, and imagery, the poem emphasizes the beauty and uniqueness of each individual part of nature and the importance of appreciating it. Each And All is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and uplift readers today.

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