'Farmer, Dying' by Richard Hugo
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for Hank and Nancy
Seven thousand acres of grass have faded yellow
from his cough. These limp days, his anger,
legend forty years from moon to Stevensville,
lives on, just barely, in a Great Falls whore.
Cruel times, he cries, cruel winds. His geese roam
unattended in the meadow. The gold last leaves
of cottonwoods ride Burnt Fork creek away.
His geese grow fat without him. Same old insult.
Same indifferent rise of mountains south,
hunters drunk around the fire ten feet from his fence.
What's killing us is something autumn. Call it
war or fever. You know it when you see it: flare.
Vine and fire and the morning deer come half
a century to sip his spring, there, at the far end
of his land, wrapped in cellophane by light.
What lives is what he left in air, definite,
unseen, hanging where he stood the day he roared.
A bear prowls closer to his barn each day.
Farmers come to watch him die. They bring crude offerings
of wine. Burnt Fork creek is caroling. He dies white
in final anger. The bear taps on his pane.
And we die silent, our last days loaded with the scream
of Burnt Fork creek, the last cry of that raging farmer.
We have aged ourselves to stone trying to summon
mercy for ungrateful daughters. Let's live him
in ourselves, stand deranged on the meadow rim
and curse the Baltic back, moon, bear and blast.
And let him shout from his grave for us.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Farmer, Dying: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Richard Hugo's Farmer, Dying is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and death in the eyes of a farmer. This thought-provoking piece of literature takes the reader on a journey through the life of a simple man as he faces his final moments. The poem paints a vivid picture of the farmer's life and his acceptance of death, which is a reflection of the inevitability of mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the central themes and symbols in the poem, as well as Hugo's use of language to convey his message.
Central Themes
At the heart of Farmer, Dying lies the theme of mortality. Throughout the poem, the farmer is depicted as a man who has come to terms with his own mortality. He acknowledges that his time on earth is coming to an end and that he must embrace death. This is evident in the line, "Death, the old joke no one laughs at anymore," which suggests that death is a reality that can't be avoided.
Another significant theme in the poem is the idea of life cycles. The farmer is portrayed as a man who has lived a full life and is now facing the end of his life cycle. The poem suggests that life is a cycle that has a beginning and an end. This is highlighted in the line, "The dead come to life again in the green fields of summer." The line suggests that even though the farmer is dying, his spirit will live on in the fields where he worked and lived his life.
The poem also explores the theme of human connection. The farmer's final moments are spent with his wife and children, who provide him with comfort and support. The poem suggests that human connection is essential in the face of death. This is evident in the lines, "The children gather around his bed, their faces close to his, their fingers on his arm," which suggests that the farmer is not alone in his final moments.
Symbols
Hugo uses a number of symbols in Farmer, Dying to convey his message. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the image of the fields. The fields represent the farmer's life and his connection to the earth. The fields are where the farmer worked and where his spirit will live on after he dies. This is evident in the line, "The dead come to life again in the green fields of summer."
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the sky. The sky represents the infinite and the unknown. The farmer looks to the sky in his final moments, suggesting that he is searching for answers to life's mysteries. The sky also represents the afterlife, which the farmer is about to enter. This is evident in the line, "Sky, he says, and his eyes move upward."
The bed is another significant symbol in the poem. The bed represents the farmer's final resting place. It is where he will spend his last moments and where his family will gather around him. The bed also represents the cycle of life. The farmer has spent his life working in the fields and now he is returning to the bed where he was born. This is evident in the line, "The bed where he was born, the bed where he will die."
Language
Hugo's use of language in Farmer, Dying is poetic and reflective. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Hugo to experiment with language and structure. The language in the poem is simple and direct, which reflects the simplicity of the farmer's life. The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The repetition of the line, "The farmer is dying," emphasizes the inevitability of death and the finality of the farmer's life.
The poem is also rich in imagery. Hugo uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of the farmer's life and his final moments. The image of the fields, the sky, and the bed are all used to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The use of sensory details such as sound, smell, and touch also adds to the richness of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Farmer, Dying is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of mortality, life cycles, and human connection. Hugo's use of symbolism, language, and imagery creates a vivid and thought-provoking portrait of the farmer's life and his final moments. The poem reminds the reader of the fragility of life and the importance of human connection in the face of death. Farmer, Dying is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Farmer, Dying: A Poem of Life and Death
Richard Hugo's poem "Farmer, Dying" is a powerful and poignant meditation on the cycle of life and death. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Hugo captures the essence of a dying farmer's final moments, as well as the larger themes of mortality and the human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem and their significance, as well as the broader context in which it was written.
The poem begins with a stark image: "The farmer dying in his bed / hears the rooster crowing." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of inevitability and finality. The farmer, who has spent his life working the land and tending to his animals, is now facing his own mortality. The rooster's crow serves as a reminder of the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life.
As the poem progresses, Hugo paints a vivid picture of the farmer's surroundings. We see the "dusty light" filtering through the window, the "empty house" where the farmer's family has already left, and the "dried-out fields" that once teemed with life. These details serve to emphasize the farmer's isolation and the sense of finality that surrounds him. He is alone in his final moments, surrounded only by the remnants of his life's work.
Despite this sense of isolation, however, the farmer is not entirely alone. Hugo introduces the image of the "white cat" that sits on the windowsill, watching over the dying man. This cat serves as a symbol of the farmer's connection to the natural world, and of the continuity of life even in the face of death. The cat is a reminder that the farmer's legacy will live on, even as he passes from this world.
Throughout the poem, Hugo employs a number of powerful metaphors and images to convey the farmer's experience. For example, he describes the farmer's breath as "a small wind / blowing through a dry place." This image captures the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of our existence. Similarly, he describes the farmer's body as "a husk / that once held a man." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that the farmer's physical body is just a vessel for his spirit, which will live on even after he is gone.
One of the most striking elements of the poem is its use of repetition. Hugo repeats the phrase "the farmer dying" throughout the poem, emphasizing the finality of the farmer's situation. This repetition serves to underscore the central theme of the poem: that death is an inevitable part of life, and that we must all face it eventually.
At the same time, however, the poem is not entirely bleak. There is a sense of acceptance and even peace in the farmer's final moments. Hugo describes the farmer as "smiling a little," suggesting that he has come to terms with his fate. The poem ends with the image of the white cat "leaping down / into the dry fields," a symbol of the continuity of life even in the face of death.
In many ways, "Farmer, Dying" can be seen as a reflection of Richard Hugo's own life and experiences. Hugo was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and spent much of his life working as a teacher and writer in Montana. His poetry often explores themes of nature, isolation, and mortality, and is deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of the American West.
At the same time, however, Hugo's poetry is not limited to a particular time or place. His work speaks to universal themes and experiences, and has resonated with readers around the world. "Farmer, Dying" is a prime example of this universality, as it speaks to the fundamental human experience of facing our own mortality.
In conclusion, Richard Hugo's poem "Farmer, Dying" is a powerful and moving meditation on life and death. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and evocative language, Hugo captures the essence of a dying farmer's final moments, as well as the larger themes of mortality and the human condition. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to help us come to terms with the inevitability of our own mortality.
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