'Ascent To The Sierras' by Robinson Jeffers
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Beyond the great valley an odd instinctive rising
Begins to possess the ground, the flatness gathers
to little humps and
barrows, low aimless ridges,
A sudden violence of rock crowns them. The crowded
orchards end, they
have come to a stone knife;
The farms are finished; the sudden foot of the
slerra. Hill over hill,
snow-ridge beyond mountain gather
The blue air of their height about them.
Here at the foot of the pass
The fierce clans of the mountain you'd think for
thousands of years,
Men with harsh mouths and eyes like the eagles' hunger,
Have gathered among these rocks at the dead hour
Of the morning star and the stars waning
To raid the plain and at moonrise returning driven
Their scared booty to the highlands, the tossing horns
And glazed eyes in the light of torches. The men have
looked back
Standing above these rock-heads to bark laughter
At the burning granaries and the farms and the town
That sow the dark flat land with terrible rubies...
lighting the dead...
It is not true: from this land
The curse was lifted; the highlands have kept peace
with the valleys; no
blood in the sod; there is no old sword
Keeping grim rust, no primal sorrow. The people are
all one people, their
homes never knew harrying;
The tribes before them were acorn-eaters, harmless
as deer. Oh, fortunate
earth; you must find someone
To make you bitter music; how else will you take bonds
of the future,
against the wolf in men's hearts?
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ascent To The Sierras: A Poetic Journey into the Spiritual Wilderness
The wilderness has always been a source of fascination for human beings, whether as a place of refuge, adventure or spiritual renewal. For Robinson Jeffers, one of America's most celebrated poets of the twentieth century, the Sierras were not only a physical landscape, but a metaphor for the human soul. His long poem "Ascent to the Sierras" is a journey of exploration and transformation that takes the reader through a series of vivid images and meditations on nature, mortality, and the meaning of life.
Background and Context
Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent most of his life in California, where he became deeply connected to the natural world and the rugged coastline of the Pacific. His poetry is known for its epic scope, its philosophical depth, and its unflinching portrayal of the human condition. Jeffers was deeply influenced by the works of Nietzsche, Emerson, and the Greek tragedians, as well as by his own experiences of loss and isolation.
"Ascent to the Sierras" was first published in 1934, as part of a collection titled "The Women at Point Sur." It is one of Jeffers's longest and most ambitious poems, and was inspired by his own journeys into the Sierra Nevada mountains. In the poem, Jeffers uses the landscape of the Sierras to explore themes of spiritual transcendence, mortality, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Structure and Style
"Ascent to the Sierras" is a long poem consisting of 11 sections, or "cantos," each of which is composed of multiple stanzas. The poem is written in free verse, with a strong emphasis on imagery, metaphor, and philosophical reflection. Jeffers's style is characterized by its grandeur, its intensity, and its emotional power.
The poem is structured as a journey, beginning with the speaker's ascent into the mountains and ending with a vision of spiritual renewal and redemption. Along the way, the speaker encounters a series of obstacles and challenges, both external and internal, which serve to test his resolve and deepen his understanding of the world.
Themes and Interpretation
The themes of "Ascent to the Sierras" are many and varied, reflecting Jeffers's own wide-ranging interests and concerns. Some of the most prominent themes include:
Nature and the Environment
At its core, "Ascent to the Sierras" is a poem about the natural world and humanity's relationship to it. Jeffers portrays nature in all its grandeur and power, from the snow-capped peaks of the Sierras to the crashing waves of the Pacific. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem is also infused with a sense of ecological consciousness, as Jeffers laments the destructive impact of human civilization on the natural world.
Mortality and Transcendence
Another major theme of the poem is mortality, and the quest for transcendence in the face of death. Jeffers portrays death as an inevitable and natural part of the cycle of life, but also as a source of fear and uncertainty. Throughout the poem, the speaker struggles to come to terms with his own mortality and to find a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Ultimately, he achieves a kind of spiritual transcendence, as he merges with the natural world and finds a sense of peace and acceptance.
Spirituality and Mysticism
Jeffers was deeply interested in spirituality and mysticism, and these themes are woven throughout "Ascent to the Sierras." The poem is suffused with a sense of awe and wonder at the natural world, and the speaker frequently describes his experiences in mystical or religious terms. He speaks of a "divine presence" in the mountains, and of a sense of unity with the universe. At the same time, Jeffers is critical of organized religion and its tendency to separate humans from the natural world.
The Human Condition
Finally, "Ascent to the Sierras" is a poem about the human condition, and the struggles and triumphs that define our lives. Jeffers portrays humanity as a flawed and imperfect species, capable of great beauty but also of great destruction. He laments the violence and cruelty of human history, but also celebrates the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. In the end, the poem offers a vision of hope and redemption, as the speaker finds a sense of connection and purpose in the natural world.
Analysis and Criticism
"Ascent to the Sierras" is a complex and challenging poem, with many layers of meaning and interpretation. Some readers have criticized Jeffers's style as overly grandiose or bombastic, and his philosophical musings as heavy-handed or didactic. Others have praised the poem's epic scope and its ability to capture the beauty and power of the natural world.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of metaphor and imagery. Jeffers is a master of metaphor, and his descriptions of the natural world are often breathtaking in their beauty and intensity. For example, he describes the moon as "a great pearl that hung, / White and remote, behind the dark pine-trees," and the mountains as "the naked bones of the earth, / The giant angles of a skeleton."
At the same time, Jeffers's metaphors can sometimes be obscure or difficult to decipher. For example, he frequently uses the image of the "wilderness" to represent the spiritual state of the speaker, but it is not always clear what this metaphor means or how it relates to other images in the poem.
Another aspect of the poem that has generated controversy is its treatment of religion and spirituality. Jeffers was highly critical of organized religion and its tendency to separate humans from the natural world. Instead, he emphasizes a more mystical and experiential approach to spirituality, in which the speaker merges with the universe and experiences a sense of unity with all living things.
Some readers have found this approach to be overly romantic or naïve, and have criticized Jeffers for glossing over the complexities of human spirituality. Others have praised the poem for its ability to capture the awe and wonder that many people feel when confronted with the beauty and power of the natural world.
Conclusion
"Ascent to the Sierras" is a powerful and challenging poem that offers a rich and complex exploration of the human condition. Through its vivid imagery and philosophical reflection, the poem takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual renewal, and offers a vision of hope and redemption in the face of mortality and uncertainty.
While some readers may find Jeffers's style to be overly grandiose or heavy-handed, there is no denying the power and beauty of his language and imagery. For anyone interested in the relationship between humans and the natural world, or the quest for spiritual transcendence, "Ascent to the Sierras" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ascent to the Sierras: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Robinson Jeffers' poem "Ascent to the Sierras" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. The poem is a reflection of Jeffers' own experiences as he climbed the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it is a testament to the power of nature to inspire and transform us.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the mountains, with their "granite walls" and "snowy peaks." The speaker is in awe of the majesty of the mountains, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and reverence. He describes the mountains as "the throne of the gods," and he feels small and insignificant in their presence.
As the speaker begins his ascent, he is filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. He is eager to explore the mountains and to discover what they have to offer. He climbs higher and higher, and he is amazed by the beauty of the landscape around him. He sees "rivers of snow" and "forests of ice," and he is filled with a sense of awe and wonder.
As the speaker continues his ascent, he begins to feel a sense of detachment from the world below. He feels as though he is leaving behind the cares and concerns of everyday life, and he is entering a new realm of existence. He describes himself as a "pilgrim" on a journey of self-discovery, and he is filled with a sense of purpose and meaning.
As the speaker reaches the summit of the mountain, he is filled with a sense of triumph and accomplishment. He has overcome the challenges of the climb, and he has reached his goal. He is filled with a sense of pride and satisfaction, and he feels as though he has achieved something significant.
However, as the speaker looks out over the landscape from the summit, he realizes that his journey is not yet complete. He sees the world below him in a new light, and he realizes that there is still much to be discovered and explored. He feels a sense of humility and awe, and he is filled with a sense of wonder at the vastness and complexity of the world around him.
The poem ends with the speaker descending from the mountain, filled with a sense of gratitude and reverence for the experience he has had. He feels as though he has been transformed by the journey, and he is filled with a sense of purpose and meaning. He realizes that the journey is not just about reaching the summit, but about the journey itself, and the lessons that can be learned along the way.
In many ways, "Ascent to the Sierras" is a metaphor for the journey of life. We all have our own mountains to climb, and we all face challenges and obstacles along the way. However, if we approach our journey with a sense of wonder and curiosity, we can discover new things about ourselves and the world around us. We can learn to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life, and we can find meaning and purpose in our experiences.
Overall, "Ascent to the Sierras" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that reminds us of the power of nature to transform us. It is a testament to the beauty and majesty of the mountains, and it is a celebration of the human spirit and our capacity for growth and self-discovery. Whether we are climbing a mountain or simply living our lives, we can all learn from the lessons of this poem and find meaning and purpose in our own journeys.
Editor Recommended Sites
Digital Twin Video: Cloud simulation for your business to replicate the real world. Learn how to create digital replicas of your business model, flows and network movement, then optimize and enhance themDatabase Migration - CDC resources for Oracle, Postgresql, MSQL, Bigquery, Redshift: Resources for migration of different SQL databases on-prem or multi cloud
Best Strategy Games - Highest Rated Strategy Games & Top Ranking Strategy Games: Find the best Strategy games of all time
JavaFX App: JavaFX for mobile Development
New Today App: Top tech news from around the internet
Recommended Similar Analysis
Hymn by Edgar Allan Poe analysisMy Sister's Sleep by Dante Gabriel Rossetti analysis
Written In March by William Wordsworth analysis
Prisoner , The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Expect Nothing by Alice Walker analysis
The Lifeguard by James Dickey analysis
"Did You Never Know?" by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Sonnet 33: Full many a glorious morning have I seen by William Shakespeare analysis
The Hill Wife by Robert Frost analysis
Mariana by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis