'Beginning' by James Wright

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The moon drops one or two feathers into the fields.
The dark wheat listens.
Be still.
Now.
There they are, the moon's young, trying
Their wings.
Between trees, a slender woman lifts up the lovely shadow
Of her face, and now she steps into the air, now she is gone
Wholly, into the air.
I stand alone by an elder tree, I do not dare breathe
Or move.
I listen.
The wheat leans back toward its own darkness,
And I lean toward mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Beginning" by James Wright

Have you ever read a poem that leaves you feeling completely entranced? A poem that leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder? That is precisely the kind of poem you will find in James Wright's "Beginning." This incredible piece of literature is a true masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

The Background of the Poem

Before diving into the actual interpretation and literary criticism of this poem, it is essential to understand a bit about the poet and the context in which this poem was written. James Wright was an American poet who lived from 1927-1980. He was widely known for his poetry that explored themes of depression, loneliness, and the natural world. Wright was a significant contributor to the Beat generation and was one of the few poets to receive both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

"Beginning" was published in Wright's fifth collection of poems, "The Branch Will Not Break," in 1963. The poem is relatively short, consisting of only three stanzas, but its impact is profound. The poem is an ode to the beauty of nature and its ability to bring a sense of peace and tranquility to the human soul.

The Poem

Let us take a look at the poem itself:

The dark wheat listens. Be still. Now. There they are, the moon's young, trying Their wings.

Wholly, into the air. Or move.

I listen. The wheat leans back toward its own darkness, And I lean toward mine.

At first glance, the poem may seem simple, but it is incredibly rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem is a meditation on the cycle of life and death and the connection between humanity and nature.

Interpretation

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene. The speaker is in a wheat field on a moonlit night, and he observes the wheat as it "listens." The personification of the wheat is significant because it suggests that the wheat is more than just a crop; it is a living and breathing entity that is connected to the world around it.

The speaker then instructs the reader to "be still" and "listen." This instruction is a call to mindfulness, a reminder to slow down and pay attention to the world around us. The speaker is urging us to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and its ability to bring us peace.

In the second stanza, the speaker observes the moon's young, which are presumably a group of birds. The birds are "trying their wings," which symbolizes the beginning of life and the potential for growth and change. The birds' ability to fly represents freedom, which is a theme that runs throughout the poem.

The speaker then says, "Wholly, into the air. Or move." This line is ambiguous but suggests that the birds have a choice to stay on the ground or take to the air. The choice to fly represents courage and the willingness to take risks. The birds' decision to fly is symbolic of the human desire for freedom and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

In the final stanza, the speaker listens to the wheat as it leans "back toward its own darkness." This line is a metaphor for death, and the wheat's movement signifies the cyclical nature of life. The speaker's statement, "And I lean toward mine," is a reminder that we are all connected to the cycle of life and death. The speaker is suggesting that we should accept our mortality and embrace the present moment.

Literary Criticism

"Beginning" is a complex poem that is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The poem's structure is simple, consisting of only three stanzas, but the message is powerful. The poem is an ode to the beauty of nature and its ability to bring us peace in a chaotic world.

One of the most significant literary devices used in this poem is personification. The wheat is given human-like qualities, and the birds are anthropomorphized as they "try their wings." These devices create a sense of connection and empathy between the reader and the natural world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things.

The poem's use of imagery is also significant. The moon, wheat, and birds are all described in vivid detail, which creates a sensory experience for the reader. The poem's sensory imagery makes the natural world come alive, which is a central theme in the poem.

Another literary device used in the poem is ambiguity. The poem's ambiguity creates multiple interpretations and allows the reader to draw their conclusions. For example, the line "wholly, into the air. Or move" can be interpreted in many ways, which allows the reader to engage with the poem on a personal level.

Conclusion

"Beginning" is a beautiful poem that offers a powerful message about the interconnectedness of all things. The poem reminds us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the natural world, to embrace our mortality, and to pursue a meaningful life. The poem's use of symbolism, metaphor, and ambiguity creates a rich and complex reading experience that is sure to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Beginning: A Poem of Hope and Renewal

James Wright's poem "Beginning" is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the human experience of struggle, loss, and renewal. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Wright captures the essence of what it means to start anew, to find hope in the midst of darkness, and to embrace the possibilities of the future.

At its core, "Beginning" is a poem about transformation. The speaker begins by describing a landscape that is barren and desolate, a place where "the world is dead." But even in the midst of this bleakness, there is a sense of possibility, a glimmer of hope that suggests that something new and beautiful might emerge from the ashes of the old.

The poem's opening lines set the stage for this sense of transformation, as the speaker describes a world that is "black and white" and "dead." The imagery here is stark and uncompromising, painting a picture of a world that is devoid of life and color. But even in the midst of this darkness, there is a sense of movement, of change, as the speaker notes that "the wind is blowing."

This sense of movement and change is further emphasized in the poem's second stanza, where the speaker describes a "new moon" rising in the sky. This image is particularly powerful, as the moon is often associated with cycles of renewal and rebirth. Here, the new moon represents a fresh start, a chance to begin again and to leave behind the darkness of the past.

As the poem progresses, the speaker continues to explore the theme of transformation, using vivid and evocative imagery to convey the sense of renewal and hope that comes with starting anew. In one particularly striking image, the speaker describes a "single tree" that is "burning" in the midst of the desolate landscape. This image is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting that even in the midst of destruction and loss, there is the potential for something new and vibrant to emerge.

Throughout the poem, Wright's use of language is both spare and powerful, conveying a sense of urgency and intensity that is both captivating and deeply moving. The poem's final lines, in particular, are particularly powerful, as the speaker declares that "the world begins again." This simple statement is both a declaration of hope and a call to action, urging the reader to embrace the possibilities of the future and to find the courage to begin again, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

In many ways, "Beginning" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of struggle and loss. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for something new and beautiful to emerge. It is a call to embrace the possibilities of the future, to find hope in the midst of darkness, and to begin again with renewed vigor and determination.

Overall, James Wright's "Beginning" is a powerful and deeply moving work that speaks to the human experience of transformation and renewal. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Wright captures the essence of what it means to start anew, to find hope in the midst of darkness, and to embrace the possibilities of the future. Whether read as a meditation on the human experience or as a call to action, "Beginning" is a poem that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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