'Traveling Through The Dark' by William Stafford
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Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.
It is usually best to roll them into the canyon:
that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead.
By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold.
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly.
My fingers touching her side brought me the reason--
her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting,
alive, still, never to be born.
Beside that mountain road I hesitated.
The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights;
under the hood purred the steady engine.
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red;
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.
I thought hard for us all--my only swerving--,
then pushed her over the edge into the river.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Traveling Through The Dark: A Masterpiece by William Stafford
Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you in a state of awe? A poem that captures your heart and mind, and transports you into a world of intense emotions? If not, then you must read "Traveling Through The Dark" by William Stafford. This poem is a masterpiece that speaks to the human condition, the struggle between life and death, and the choices we have to make in the face of tragedy.
Background and Context
Before diving into the poem, let's take a moment to understand who William Stafford was and his place in American literature. Stafford was a renowned poet, author, and pacifist who lived from 1914 to 1993. He was a professor of English at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, and he wrote over 60 books during his lifetime. His poetry is known for its simplicity, clarity, and profound insights into human nature.
"Traveling Through The Dark" was first published in 1962 in Stafford's collection "Traveling Through The Dark." The poem won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1963, and it has since become one of Stafford's best-known works.
Poetic Analysis
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Traveling Through The Dark" is a narrative poem written in free verse. It tells the story of a man who encounters a dead deer on a mountain road. The man is faced with a difficult decision: whether to leave the deer on the road, which could cause an accident, or to dispose of the deer himself. The man chooses to push the deer off the road and into the river below, and in doing so, he discovers that the deer was pregnant.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the man's car as he drives through the mountain road at night. The second stanza introduces the dead deer on the road, and the man's dilemma. The third stanza describes the man's decision to push the deer into the river, and the discovery of the unborn fawn. The fourth and final stanza concludes the poem with a reflection on the choices we make in life.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. Stafford's descriptions of the car, the road, and the deer are vivid and evocative. For example, he describes the car's headlights as "eating" the darkness, and the deer's eyes as "twisted" in death. These images create a sense of atmosphere and tension that draws the reader into the poem.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "traveling through the dark" is repeated twice, once in the title and once in the first line of the poem. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and unity, and emphasizes the theme of journeying through life's difficulties.
The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism. The dead deer can be interpreted as a symbol of mortality and the fragility of life. The unborn fawn can be interpreted as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. The river can be interpreted as a symbol of life and the cyclical nature of existence.
Interpretation
So, what does "Traveling Through The Dark" mean? What is Stafford trying to say with this poem? There are many possible interpretations, but I will offer a few here.
At its core, the poem is about the choices we make in life. The man in the poem is faced with a difficult decision, and he chooses to take action, to do something about the situation he has encountered. He could have simply left the deer on the road and continued on his way, but he chose to take responsibility and take action. This can be seen as a metaphor for the choices we make in life. We are constantly faced with difficult decisions, and we must choose whether to take action or to remain passive.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. We are all "traveling through the dark," navigating the uncertain and often treacherous terrain of life. We are all faced with adversity and difficult choices, and we must find the courage to make the best of our circumstances.
Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the cycle of life and death. The dead deer on the road represents the end of one life, while the unborn fawn represents the beginning of another. The river represents the flow of life, the constant movement and change that characterizes existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Traveling Through The Dark" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It is a powerful and evocative meditation on the human condition, the struggle between life and death, and the choices we make in the face of tragedy. William Stafford's use of imagery, repetition, and symbolism create a sense of atmosphere and tension that draws the reader in and leaves them moved and inspired. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading this poem, I highly recommend it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Traveling Through The Dark: A Poem That Explores Life and Death
William Stafford's poem "Traveling Through The Dark" is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a perfect example of how a simple story can be transformed into a powerful piece of art that explores the complexities of life and death.
The poem tells the story of a man who is driving on a mountain road at night and comes across a dead deer lying in the middle of the road. The man realizes that the deer is pregnant and that he needs to move it off the road to prevent any accidents. However, as he approaches the deer, he realizes that the fawn inside the deer is still alive. The man is faced with a difficult decision: should he leave the fawn to die or should he try to save it?
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, but it is the underlying themes and messages that make it so powerful. The first theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of life and death. The man in the poem is faced with a situation where he has to make a decision that will determine the fate of the fawn. He knows that if he leaves the fawn, it will die, but if he tries to save it, he might put his own life in danger. This dilemma is a metaphor for the larger issue of life and death that we all face. We are all faced with situations where we have to make decisions that will determine the fate of ourselves or others. The poem reminds us that life is fragile and that we should cherish every moment that we have.
The second theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of responsibility. The man in the poem feels a sense of responsibility to the deer and the fawn. He knows that he is the only one who can help them, and he feels a sense of duty to do so. This sense of responsibility is something that we can all relate to. We all have responsibilities in our lives, whether it is to our families, our jobs, or our communities. The poem reminds us that we should take our responsibilities seriously and that we should always try to do the right thing.
The third theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The man in the poem knows that if he tries to save the fawn, he might put his own life in danger. He is faced with the choice of sacrificing his own safety for the sake of the fawn. This theme is a reminder that sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. We have to be willing to put ourselves in danger to help others. This is a powerful message that is relevant in today's world, where we are faced with many challenges that require us to make sacrifices for the greater good.
The poem is also a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. The man in the poem is driving on a mountain road, and he comes across a dead deer. This is a reminder that humans have a significant impact on the natural world. We often take nature for granted, and we forget that we are a part of it. The poem reminds us that we have a responsibility to take care of the natural world and to respect the creatures that live in it.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This structure gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and naturalness, which is appropriate for a poem that is about nature. The poem is also divided into three stanzas, which correspond to the three themes that are explored in the poem. The first stanza sets up the situation, the second stanza explores the man's dilemma, and the third stanza provides a resolution.
In conclusion, "Traveling Through The Dark" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of life and death. The poem reminds us that life is fragile and that we should cherish every moment that we have. It also reminds us that we have a responsibility to take care of the natural world and to respect the creatures that live in it. The poem is a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, and it is a reminder that we are all connected. The poem is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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