'The Black Swan' by Randall Jarrell

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When the swans turned my sister into a swan
I would go to the lake, at night, from milking:
The sun would look out through the reeds like a swan,
A swan's red beak; and the beak would open
And inside there was darkness, the stars and the moon.

Out on the lake, a girl would laugh.
"Sister, here is your porridge, sister,"
I would call; and the reeds would whisper,
"Go to sleep, go to sleep, little swan."
My legs were all hard and webbed, and the silky

Hairs of my wings sank away like stars
In the ripples that ran in and out of the reeds:
I heard through the lap and hiss of water
Someone's "Sister . . . sister," far away on the shore,
And then as I opened my beak to answer

I heard my harsh laugh go out to the shore
And saw - saw at last, swimming up from the green
Low mounds of the lake, the white stone swans:
The white, named swans . . . "It is all a dream,"
I whispered, and reached from the down of the pallet

To the lap and hiss of the floor.
And "Sleep, little sister," the swan all sang
From the moon and stars and frogs of the floor.
But the swan my sister called, "Sleep at last, little sister,"
And stroked all night, with a black wing, my wings.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Black Swan: A Masterpiece of Poetic Observation

The Black Swan by Randall Jarrell is a masterpiece of poetic observation, a work that captures the essence of life in all its complexity and beauty. In this poem, Jarrell explores the theme of nature and how it can be both unpredictable and magnificent. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and keen observation, Jarrell brings to life the world of the black swan and the beauty and mystery that surrounds it.

Summary of the Poem

The Black Swan is a poem that describes the beauty and mystery of the black swan. The poem begins with the description of the black swan, a bird that is both rare and beautiful. The speaker describes how the black swan stands out in a flock of white swans, a symbol of its rarity and uniqueness. The speaker also describes the beauty of the swan's neck, which is long and graceful, and its wings, which are powerful and majestic.

The poem then shifts to a description of the swan's habitat, a place where the water is clear and the reeds grow tall. The speaker describes how the swan moves through the water, its body gliding effortlessly along the surface. The speaker also notes how the swan's movements are unpredictable, how it can suddenly disappear beneath the water and reappear in a different place.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the theme of nature and how it can be both unpredictable and magnificent. The speaker notes how the swan's movements are a reflection of the natural world, how it is both beautiful and dangerous. The speaker also notes how the swan's movements are a metaphor for life, how we can never know what lies beneath the surface of things.

The poem ends with a powerful metaphor, in which the speaker compares the swan to a black flame. The speaker notes how the swan's beauty and uniqueness are like a flame that burns bright in the darkness, a symbol of hope and possibility in a world that can often seem dark and uncertain.

Analysis of the Poem

The Black Swan is a poem that is rich in imagery and metaphor. Throughout the poem, Jarrell uses vivid descriptions to bring the world of the black swan to life. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Jarrell describes the black swan as "strange and beautiful," a bird that stands out in a flock of white swans. This description immediately sets the tone for the poem and creates a sense of mystery and wonder.

Jarrell's use of metaphor is also powerful in this poem. For example, when he describes the swan's movements as unpredictable, he is using the swan as a metaphor for the natural world. The unpredictability of the swan's movements is a reflection of the unpredictability of nature itself. This metaphor creates a sense of awe and reverence for nature, as well as a sense of caution.

The poem's shift from a description of the swan's beauty to a meditation on the unpredictability of nature is also significant. This shift allows Jarrell to explore the theme of beauty and danger. The swan's movements are beautiful, but they are also dangerous. This is a reflection of life itself, which can be both beautiful and dangerous.

The final metaphor in the poem, in which the speaker compares the swan to a black flame, is particularly powerful. This metaphor suggests that the swan's beauty and uniqueness are like a flame that burns bright in the darkness. This is a metaphor for hope and possibility in a world that can often seem dark and uncertain. The use of the color black in this metaphor is also significant, as it suggests that beauty and hope can be found even in the darkest of places.

Interpretation of the Poem

The Black Swan is a poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the beauty and mystery of nature. The black swan is a symbol of this beauty and mystery, and the poem invites us to explore the natural world with a sense of wonder and awe.

The poem can also be interpreted as a meditation on the unpredictability of life. The swan's movements are unpredictable, and this is a reflection of the unpredictability of life itself. The poem invites us to embrace this unpredictability and to find beauty and hope in the midst of life's challenges.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the beauty of uniqueness. The black swan is unique, and this uniqueness is a source of its beauty. The poem invites us to embrace our own uniqueness and to find beauty in the things that make us different.

Conclusion

The Black Swan is a masterpiece of poetic observation, a work that captures the beauty and mystery of nature in all its complexity. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and keen observation, Jarrell brings to life the world of the black swan and the beauty and mystery that surrounds it. This poem invites us to explore the natural world with a sense of wonder and awe, and to find beauty and hope in the midst of life's challenges. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Black Swan: A Poem of Beauty and Tragedy

Randall Jarrell's poem "The Black Swan" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the beauty and tragedy of life in a few short stanzas. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death, as seen through the eyes of a black swan, a creature of rare and exquisite beauty that is doomed to die.

The poem begins with a description of the black swan, a creature that is "so beautiful, so strange, so rare." The swan is described as having "a neck like a question mark," and its feathers are compared to "the blackness of the night." The swan is a creature of mystery and wonder, a symbol of the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

But the poem quickly takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the swan's fate. The swan is "doomed to die," and its beauty is fleeting, like "a flower that blooms and fades in a day." The speaker laments the fact that such a beautiful creature must die, and wonders why nature is so cruel.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. The speaker notes that "beauty is a trap," and that it is "a thing that dies." The speaker suggests that beauty is a fleeting illusion, a momentary glimpse of something that is ultimately unattainable.

The poem then returns to the image of the black swan, as the speaker imagines the swan's final moments. The swan is described as "sinking down into the water," its beauty fading as it dies. The speaker notes that "the water will close over it," and that the swan will be forgotten, like so many other beautiful things that have come and gone.

But the poem ends on a note of hope, as the speaker suggests that the swan's beauty will live on, even after its death. The speaker notes that "the swan will live forever in our hearts," and that its beauty will be remembered long after it is gone. The poem suggests that even though beauty is fleeting, it can still have a lasting impact on the world.

Overall, "The Black Swan" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the beauty and tragedy of life in a few short stanzas. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death, and it offers a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing the beauty that we encounter in our lives.

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