'Not Our Good Luck' by Robinson Jeffers
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Not our good luck nor the instant peak and fulfillment
of time gives us to see
The beauty of things, nothing can bridle it.
God who walks lightning-naked on the Pacific has never
been hidden from any
Puddle or hillock of the earth behind us.
Between the mean mud tenements and huddle of the filth
of Babylon the river Euphrates;
And over the tiled brick temple buttresses
And the folly of a garden on arches, the ancienter simple
and silent tribe of the stars
Filed, and for all her gods and the priests' mouths
God also moved on the city; or a certain young tribesman
come down from the mountains of the north
Espied him in the eyes of a temple harlot;
Whom presently, as then, when the priests have choked him
with perfume some prophet like a desert camel
Shall talk with in the ridges above the rock-tombs.
Dark ships drawing in from the sundown and the islands
of the south, great waves with gray vapor in your
hollows
And whitening of high heads coming home from the west,
>From Formosa or the skerries of Siberia and the sight
of the eyes that have widened for the sky-peaks of
Asia:
That he touched you is no wonder, that you slid from
his hand
Is an old known tale to our foreland cypresses, no news
to the Lobos granite, no marvel
To Point Pinos Light and the beacon at Point Sur,
But here is the marvel, he is nowhere not present,
his beauty, it is burning in the midland villages
And tortures men's eyes in the alleys of cities.
Far-flown ones, you children of the hawk's dream future
when you lean from a crag of the last planet on the
ocean
Of the far stars, remember we also have known beauty.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Not Our Good Luck: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robinson Jeffers' poem "Not Our Good Luck" is a timeless piece of poetry that has continued to captivate readers for decades. The poem is an intricate exploration of the themes of fate, chance, and the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and unravel its many layers of meaning.
Overview of the Poem
"Not Our Good Luck" is a poem about a sailor who, after being thrown into the sea by a storm, is rescued by a fisherman. The fisherman takes the sailor back to his hut, where they share a meal and engage in a conversation about the nature of fate and chance. The sailor is convinced that he was saved by his good luck, while the fisherman argues that it was a matter of chance. The poem ends with the fisherman's final words: "No man can select his fate, / But he can refuse to accept it."
Analysis of the Poem
The Significance of the Title
The title of the poem, "Not Our Good Luck," is significant in several ways. Firstly, it suggests that the poem is about the role of luck in human life. Secondly, it implies that the poem is a critique of the idea of good luck. Finally, it suggests that the poet is taking a pessimistic view of human existence.
The Importance of the Setting
The setting of the poem is significant in that it is a reflection of the human condition. The sea represents the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of fate, while the fisherman's hut represents the refuge that we seek in times of trouble. The contrast between the sea and the hut highlights the fragility of human life and the need for shelter and security.
The Role of Fate and Chance
The poem explores the relationship between fate and chance in human life. The sailor believes that he was saved by his good luck, while the fisherman argues that it was a matter of chance. The poet seems to suggest that both fate and chance play a role in our lives, but that we have little control over either of them.
The Nature of Human Existence
The poem is a reflection on the nature of human existence. The sailor's belief in good luck represents the human desire for control and order, while the fisherman's acceptance of chance represents the human need for humility and acceptance. The poem suggests that the human condition is characterized by a tension between these two impulses.
The Poet's Attitude towards Life
The poet's attitude towards life is apparent in the final lines of the poem: "No man can select his fate, / But he can refuse to accept it." The poet seems to be advocating for a stoic acceptance of fate, while also suggesting that we have a degree of agency in how we respond to it.
Interpretation of the Poem
The Poem as a Reflection on the Human Condition
"Not Our Good Luck" can be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition. The poem suggests that humans are caught between the desire for control and the need for acceptance. The sailor's belief in good luck represents the human desire for control, while the fisherman's acceptance of chance represents the need for acceptance. The poem suggests that the human condition is characterized by this tension between these two impulses.
The Poem as a Critique of the Idea of Good Luck
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of the idea of good luck. The sailor's belief in good luck represents the human desire for control and order, but the poem suggests that this belief is misguided. The fisherman's acceptance of chance represents the need for humility and acceptance, which the poet seems to be advocating for.
The Poem as an Exploration of the Role of Fate and Chance
The poem is also an exploration of the relationship between fate and chance in human life. The sailor believes that he was saved by his good luck, while the fisherman argues that it was a matter of chance. The poet seems to suggest that both fate and chance play a role in our lives, but that we have little control over either of them.
The Poem as an Advocacy for Stoic Acceptance of Fate
The final lines of the poem, "No man can select his fate, / But he can refuse to accept it," suggest that the poet is advocating for a stoic acceptance of fate. The poem suggests that we have little control over our fates, but that we can control how we respond to them.
Conclusion
"Not Our Good Luck" is a timeless poem that explores the themes of fate, chance, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the human desire for control and the need for acceptance, and it advocates for a stoic acceptance of fate. The poem is also a critique of the idea of good luck, suggesting that it is misguided to believe that we have control over our fates. Overall, "Not Our Good Luck" is a profound and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Not Our Good Luck: A Poem of Reflection and Resilience
Robinson Jeffers, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Not Our Good Luck" that speaks to the human experience of facing adversity and finding the strength to persevere. This poem is a powerful reminder that even in the face of great challenges, we can find hope and resilience within ourselves.
The poem begins with the lines, "The stars are not our good luck, / Nor the bright stones that pave the road; / We have no wish to be great, / No ambition to be adored." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the nature of luck and the human desire for greatness. Jeffers suggests that luck and material possessions are not what truly matter in life, and that the pursuit of greatness and adoration can be a hollow and unfulfilling endeavor.
The next stanza of the poem reads, "We are content with the sun and the moon, / And the light of the stars that we see; / We are glad of the earth and the sea, / And the life that breathes in the tree." Here, Jeffers emphasizes the importance of finding joy and contentment in the simple things in life. He suggests that the beauty of nature and the wonder of life itself are enough to bring us happiness and fulfillment.
The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, as Jeffers acknowledges the reality of suffering and hardship in life. He writes, "But we know that the world is cruel, / And that life is a bitter cup; / We have tasted the dregs of it often, / And we know that the end is up." This stanza is a reminder that life is not always easy, and that we will all face challenges and hardships at some point. However, Jeffers also suggests that it is through these difficult experiences that we can find strength and resilience.
The fourth stanza of the poem reads, "Yet we do not despair nor falter, / For we know that the end is not all; / There is something beyond the darkness, / There is something beyond the pall." Here, Jeffers offers a message of hope and resilience. He suggests that even in the darkest moments of life, there is something beyond the pain and suffering. This stanza is a reminder that we can find hope and strength even in the most difficult of circumstances.
The final stanza of the poem reads, "So we go on our way uncomplaining, / With a smile for the joys that we meet; / And we know that the stars are not our good luck, / But the light that shines at our feet." This stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as Jeffers emphasizes the importance of finding joy and contentment in the present moment. He suggests that the true source of happiness and fulfillment is not found in material possessions or the pursuit of greatness, but in the simple joys of life that are all around us.
Overall, "Not Our Good Luck" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of facing adversity and finding the strength to persevere. Jeffers offers a message of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest moments of life, there is something beyond the pain and suffering. This poem is a powerful reminder that we can find joy and contentment in the simple things in life, and that the pursuit of greatness and adoration can be a hollow and unfulfilling endeavor.
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