'Salmon-Fishing' by Robinson Jeffers
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The days shorten, the south blows wide for showers now,
The south wind shouts to the rivers,
The rivers open their mouths and the salt salmon
Race up into the freshet.
In Christmas month against the smoulder and menace
Of a long angry sundown,
Red ash of the dark solstice, you see the anglers,
Pitiful, cruel, primeval,
Like the priests of the people that built Stonehenge,
Dark silent forms, performing
Remote solemnities in the red shallows
Of the river's mouth at the year's turn,
Drawing landward their live bullion, the bloody mouths
And scales full of the sunset
Twitch on the rocks, no more to wander at will
The wild Pacific pasture nor wanton and spawning
Race up into fresh water.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Salmon-Fishing by Robinson Jeffers: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robinson Jeffers' poem "Salmon-Fishing" is a complex and haunting meditation on the natural world and the human relationship to it. At first glance, the poem appears to be a straightforward, descriptive account of the act of fishing for salmon in a remote river in the wilderness. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that it is much more than that. Jeffers uses the image of the salmon to explore a range of themes, from the relationship between man and nature, to the cyclical nature of life and death, to the fragile beauty of the natural world.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is worth taking a moment to consider the background and context in which it was written. Robinson Jeffers was an American poet who lived from 1887 to 1962. He was born in Pennsylvania, but spent most of his life in California, where he became known for his poetry that celebrated the rugged, untamed beauty of the natural world. Jeffers was deeply influenced by the work of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and his poetry often reflects Nietzsche's philosophy of the "will to power" and the idea of the "eternal recurrence."
"Salmon-Fishing" was published in 1923, at a time when there was growing concern about the impact of human activity on the natural world. The poem can be seen as a response to this concern, as Jeffers uses the image of the salmon to explore the relationship between humans and nature, and to reflect on the fragile beauty of the natural world.
Analysis
Now, let's take a closer look at the poem itself. "Salmon-Fishing" is a long, narrative poem that describes the act of fishing for salmon in a remote river. The poem is divided into four parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the fishing experience.
Part I
The poem begins with a description of the river, which is "green and streaked with brown." Jeffers uses vivid, sensory language to create a sense of the river's wildness and beauty:
The river is high in the April dusk, and foam is alive on its black water:
One looks by the willows, and sees that the island is gone,
And the beaver's lodge has vanished from under its rustling aspen;
And the snakes are swimming.
As we read these lines, we can almost hear the rush of the water, see the foam swirling on its surface, and feel the coolness of the evening air. Jeffers' language is precise and evocative, creating a vivid and immersive sense of place.
Part II
The second part of the poem focuses on the act of fishing itself. Jeffers describes the skill and patience required to catch a salmon, and the moment of triumph when the fish is finally caught:
Now the salmon is mine, my own:
The beauty bursts and is gone, his body falls back the way it came.
Here, Jeffers uses the image of the salmon to explore the relationship between humans and nature. The act of catching a fish is both a triumph and a tragedy - the beauty of the fish is destroyed in the act of catching it. We can see a reflection of Nietzsche's philosophy of the "will to power" here - the human desire to dominate and control the natural world.
Part III
The third part of the poem takes a darker turn, as Jeffers reflects on the cyclical nature of life and death. He describes the salmon's journey from the sea to the river, and the ultimate end of that journey:
The river was made for him, this salmon:
The water's energy turns him till he floats
The way a leaf floats still when the eddies cease,
And is sucked under the bright surface, and the bright body darts
Out of the water, and the life is gone.
Here, Jeffers uses the image of the salmon to explore the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The salmon's journey from the sea to the river is a metaphor for the human journey from birth to death. The salmon's ultimate fate - to be caught and killed by humans - is a reminder of our own mortality.
Part IV
The final part of the poem returns to the river, now empty of salmon. Jeffers reflects on the transience of human existence, and the enduring beauty of the natural world:
And the river flows silently, forever,
Like wisdom; and the salmon are gone forever,
Like youth.
Here, Jeffers suggests that the natural world is greater than human existence, and that our lives are fleeting in comparison to the enduring beauty of the natural world. The river, like wisdom, flows on forever, while the salmon and our own youth are fleeting and transitory.
Interpretation
So, what can we take away from Jeffers' poem? "Salmon-Fishing" is a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature, and a reminder of the fragility and beauty of the natural world. By using the image of the salmon, Jeffers is able to explore a range of profound themes, from the cyclical nature of life and death, to the human desire to dominate and control the natural world, to the enduring beauty of the natural world itself.
At its core, "Salmon-Fishing" is a call to appreciate and protect the natural world. Jeffers reminds us that our lives are fleeting, but that the natural world endures. We must learn to appreciate and cherish that world, and to recognize our place within it. As we read Jeffers' poem, we are reminded of our own mortality, and of the profound beauty and power of the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' poem "Salmon-Fishing" is a complex and haunting meditation on the relationship between humans and nature. By using the image of the salmon, Jeffers is able to explore a range of themes, from the cyclical nature of life and death, to the human desire to dominate and control the natural world, to the enduring beauty of the natural world itself. Through his vivid, evocative language, Jeffers is able to create a powerful sense of place, and to draw us into the wild, untamed world of the river. Ultimately, "Salmon-Fishing" is a call to appreciate and protect the natural world, and a reminder of the profound beauty and power of that world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Salmon-Fishing: A Poem of Nature's Majesty and Man's Hubris
Robinson Jeffers' Salmon-Fishing is a classic poem that captures the beauty and power of nature, as well as the arrogance and folly of man. Written in 1928, the poem is a meditation on the act of fishing for salmon, a ritual that has been practiced for centuries by humans along the Pacific coast. But Jeffers' poem is not just a celebration of this ancient tradition; it is also a warning about the dangers of exploiting nature for our own purposes.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the salmon as they swim upstream to spawn:
The salmon swim in the shallows, The salmon swim in the deep; The salmon swim in the rapids, The salmon leap and leap.
Jeffers' use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of rhythm and movement that mimics the motion of the fish themselves. The salmon are portrayed as powerful and graceful creatures, capable of navigating even the most treacherous waters. But the poem quickly shifts its focus to the humans who seek to catch these fish:
The fisher casts his line, The fisher waits and waits; The fisher feels the tug, The fisher reels and baits.
Here, Jeffers contrasts the natural beauty of the salmon with the artificiality of the fishing process. The fisher is portrayed as a passive figure, waiting for the fish to come to him, while the salmon are active and purposeful in their journey upstream. The fisher's actions are also described in mechanical terms, as if he is simply going through the motions of a predetermined ritual.
As the poem progresses, Jeffers becomes increasingly critical of the human desire to catch and consume the salmon. He writes:
The salmon are not ours, The salmon are not meat; The salmon are the river's, The salmon are the fleet.
Here, Jeffers emphasizes the idea that the salmon belong to the natural world, not to humans. The fish are not just a source of food or entertainment; they are an integral part of the ecosystem, playing a vital role in the life cycle of the river. By reducing the salmon to mere objects to be caught and consumed, humans are ignoring their true value and significance.
Jeffers also highlights the destructive impact that human activity can have on the natural world. He writes:
The dams are built, the waters rise, The salmon cannot leap; The nets are cast, the fish are caught, The salmon cannot sleep.
Here, Jeffers is referring to the many ways in which humans have altered the environment to suit their own needs. Dams and other structures have disrupted the natural flow of rivers, making it difficult or impossible for salmon to migrate upstream. Fishing nets and other tools have made it easier for humans to catch large numbers of fish, often without regard for the long-term consequences.
But despite these warnings, Jeffers does not simply condemn humans for their actions. Instead, he suggests that there is a deeper, more spiritual connection between humans and the natural world. He writes:
The salmon are the river's, The salmon are the fleet; The salmon are the spirit, The salmon are the meat.
Here, Jeffers is suggesting that the salmon are not just physical objects, but also symbols of something greater. They represent the spirit of the river, the life force that animates all living things. By catching and consuming the salmon, humans are not just taking from the natural world; they are also connecting with it in a profound and meaningful way.
In the final stanza of the poem, Jeffers returns to the image of the salmon swimming upstream, and suggests that this act of perseverance and determination is something that humans can learn from:
The salmon swim in the shallows, The salmon swim in the deep; The salmon swim in the rapids, The salmon leap and leap.
Here, Jeffers is suggesting that the salmon embody a kind of natural wisdom that humans would do well to emulate. By persevering in the face of adversity, the salmon demonstrate a kind of resilience and strength that is essential for survival in a world that is often hostile and unpredictable.
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' Salmon-Fishing is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Jeffers captures the majesty and beauty of the salmon, while also warning of the dangers of exploiting nature for our own purposes. Ultimately, the poem suggests that there is a deeper, more spiritual connection between humans and the natural world, and that by respecting and learning from the wisdom of nature, we can find a way to live in harmony with the world around us.
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