'Children Selecting Books In A Library' by Randall Jarrell
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With beasts and gods, above, the wall is bright.
The child's head, bent to the book-colored shelves,
Is slow and sidelong and food-gathering,
Moving in blind grace ... yet from the mural, Care
The grey-eyed one, fishing the morning mist,
Seizes the baby hero by the hair
And whispers, in the tongue of gods and children,
Words of a doom as ecumenical as dawn
But blanched like dawn, with dew.
The children's cries
Are to men the cries of crickets, dense with warmth
-- But dip a finger into Fafnir, taste it,
And all their words are plain as chance and pain.
Their tales are full of sorcerers and ogres
Because their lives are: the capricious infinite
That, like parents, no one has yet escaped
Except by luck or magic; and since strength
And wit are useless, be kind or stupid, wait
Some power's gratitude, the tide of things.
Read meanwhile ... hunt among the shelves, as dogs do, grasses,
And find one cure for Everychild's diseases
Beginning: Once upon a time there was
A wolf that fed, a mouse that warned, a bear that rode
A boy. Us men, alas! wolves, mice, bears bore.
And yet wolves, mice, bears, children, gods and men
In slow preambulation up and down the shelves
Of the universe are seeking ... who knows except themselves?
What some escape to, some escape: if we find Swann's
Way better than our own, an trudge on at the back
Of the north wind to -- to -- somewhere east
Of the sun, west of the moon, it is because we live
By trading another's sorrow for our own; another's
Impossibilities, still unbelieved in, for our own ...
"I am myself still?" For a little while, forget:
The world's selves cure that short disease, myself,
And we see bending to us, dewy-eyed, the great
CHANGE, dear to all things not to themselves endeared.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Children Selecting Books In A Library: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
If you're a book lover, there's nothing more exciting than walking into a library and seeing shelves and shelves of books waiting to be explored. But have you ever stopped to watch children selecting books in a library? Randall Jarrell did, and the result was his poem "Children Selecting Books In A Library."
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, imagery, and language of Jarrell's poem, and how they come together to create a vivid portrait of the joys and challenges of reading.
Themes
At its core, "Children Selecting Books In A Library" is a poem about the wonder and possibility of reading. We see children exploring the shelves, "browsing together, / chatting and whispering in their brows," and we can almost feel the excitement and energy in the air.
But there's more to the poem than just a celebration of the joys of reading. Jarrell also touches on the difficulties that come with selecting books in a library. The children are "oblivious" to the librarian's watchful eye, and they struggle to find books that are just right for them. As Jarrell writes:
Some go for magazines Or picture books, and leave the building lost In an enchanted wood of their own choosing; Some go bewildered through the shifting maze And, looking up from idly turning pages To gaze out at the rain, or down at smudged Footprints circling the water-cooler, face The alienation of their lives.
Here we see the darker side of the library experience. Even as the children are lost in their own worlds, there's a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them.
But in the end, the overwhelming feeling of the poem is one of hope and possibility. The children may struggle to find the right books, but they are still "triumphant" when they do, and the library remains a place of wonder and discovery.
Imagery
One of the most striking things about "Children Selecting Books In A Library" is the vivid imagery that Jarrell uses to bring the scene to life. We can almost see the children "browsing together," "idly turning pages," and "gazing out at the rain."
But it's not just the children themselves that Jarrell describes so vividly. He also captures the sensory experience of being in a library, from the "sour smell of glue" to the "rain's drone" outside. The library becomes a place of texture and sound, as well as sight.
Perhaps most striking of all, though, is the way that Jarrell uses imagery to convey the idea of books themselves as portals to other worlds. The children "leave the building lost / In an enchanted wood of their own choosing," and the books they select are "windows, / Doors, mirrors, ladders."
Through this imagery, Jarrell captures the magic of reading, and the way that books can transport us to other worlds and other lives.
Language
Finally, we come to the language of "Children Selecting Books In A Library." Jarrell is a master of language, and his poetry is both accessible and richly layered.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in this poem is the way that Jarrell blends the mundane and the magical. The library itself is described in quite plain terms: "the rows of books / Stood open and welcoming." But the books themselves are imbued with a magic that transcends the everyday.
Jarrell's language is also marked by its precision. He chooses his words carefully, and his descriptions are always specific and evocative. We can almost taste the sour smell of glue, and feel the "smudged / Footprints circling the water-cooler."
But perhaps the most impressive thing about Jarrell's language in this poem is the way that he manages to capture both the wonder and the challenges of reading. Through his precise, playful, and often poignant use of language, he brings the library to life and reminds us of the magic that books can hold.
Conclusion
In "Children Selecting Books In A Library," Randall Jarrell has given us a poem that captures the joys and challenges of reading, and celebrates the magic of books. Through his vivid imagery, precise language, and keen eye for detail, he brings the library to life and reminds us of the transformative power of reading.
Whether you're a lifelong book lover or just discovering the joys of reading, this poem is sure to resonate with you. So next time you're at the library, take a moment to watch the children selecting books, and remember the magic that can be found between the covers of a good book.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Children Selecting Books In A Library: A Timeless Poem That Captures the Joy of Reading
Randall Jarrell's poem "Children Selecting Books In A Library" is a timeless masterpiece that captures the joy of reading and the magic of libraries. Written in 1960, the poem has become a classic in children's literature, and it continues to inspire readers of all ages to this day.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the scene in a library, where children are browsing through the shelves, looking for books that catch their eye. Jarrell's language is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a bustling, vibrant space filled with the excitement of discovery:
"Among the children, among the graves, Blackboard, dogwood, chestnut, graves, Noise and a child's voice among the graves And the thrush's song above the graves."
The imagery here is striking, with the juxtaposition of the living children and the dead buried in the graves. The use of natural elements like blackboard, dogwood, and chestnut adds a touch of realism to the scene, while the thrush's song above the graves creates a sense of hope and renewal.
As the poem progresses, Jarrell focuses on the children and their interactions with the books. He describes how they "touch books like a serious fisherman his bait," carefully selecting the ones that appeal to them. He notes how they "turn and look at the books, and turn again," trying to decide which ones to take home with them.
Jarrell's language is playful and whimsical, capturing the sense of wonder and curiosity that children bring to the act of reading. He writes:
"They watch their parents, they watch the librarian, They mouth the books' names, they read without reading."
This passage is particularly poignant, as it highlights the role that adults play in shaping children's love of reading. Parents and librarians are the gatekeepers of knowledge, guiding children towards books that will inspire and challenge them. But ultimately, it is the children themselves who must choose which books to read, and how to engage with them.
The poem also touches on the idea of imagination and the power of books to transport us to other worlds. Jarrell writes:
"They see books as trees, as staircases, As walls to be climbed or descended."
This metaphorical language is both playful and profound, suggesting that books are not just objects to be read, but gateways to new experiences and perspectives. By climbing the "walls" of a book, we can explore new ideas and expand our horizons.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "among the children, among the graves" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. This repetition also reinforces the idea that the library is a place where the living and the dead coexist, where the past and the present are intertwined.
Another recurring motif in the poem is the idea of choice. The children are free to choose which books to read, and this freedom is a powerful symbol of agency and autonomy. Jarrell writes:
"They choose, they choose, they choose, With a rapid, birdlike prescience, The books that are for them and no other."
This passage captures the sense of excitement and possibility that comes with choosing a book. The children are not just passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in the process of learning.
In conclusion, "Children Selecting Books In A Library" is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the joy of reading and the magic of libraries. Jarrell's language is rich and evocative, capturing the sense of wonder and curiosity that children bring to the act of reading. The poem is also a powerful reminder of the role that adults play in shaping children's love of reading, and the importance of giving children the freedom to choose which books to read. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the human spirit, and the endless possibilities that come with the act of reading.
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