'Jerome' by Randall Jarrell
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Each day brings its toad, each night its dragon.
Der heilige Hieronymus--his lion is at the zoo--
Listens, listens. All the long, soft, summer day
Dreams affright his couch, the deep boils like a pot.
As the sun sets, the last patient rises,
Says to him, Father, trembles, turns away.
Often, to the lion, the saint said, Son.
To the man the saint says--but the man is gone.
Under a plaque of Gradiva, at gloaming.
The old man boils an egg. When he has eaten
He listens a while. The patients have not stopped.
At midnight, he lies down where his patients lay.
All night the old man whispers to the night.
It listens evenly. The great armored paws
Of its forelegs put together in reflection.
It thinks: Where Ego was, there Id shall be.
The world wrestles with it and is changed into it
And after a long time changes it. The dragon
Listens as the old man says, at dawn: I see
--There is an old man, naked in a desert, by a cliff.
He has set out his books, his hat, his ink, his shears
Among scorpions, toads, the wild beasts of the desert.
I lie beside him--I am a lion.
He kneels listening. He holds in his left hand
The stone with which he beats his breat, and holds
In his right hand, the pen with which he puts
Into his book, the words of the angel:
The angel up into whose face he looks.
But the angel does not speak. He looks into the face
Of the night, and the night says--but the night is gone.
He has slept. . . . At morning, when man's flesh is young
And man's soul thankful for it knows not what,
The air is washed, and smells of boiling coffee,
And the sun lights it. The old man walks placidly
To the grocer's; walks on, under leaves, in light,
To a lynx, a leopard--he has come;
The man holds out a lump of liver to the lion,
And the lion licks the man's hand with his tongue.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Jerome by Randall Jarrell: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling completely disoriented, yet strangely exhilarated? That's how I felt when I first read "Jerome" by Randall Jarrell. This classic poem is only eight lines long, but it packs a powerful punch. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the meaning and significance of "Jerome," and explore why it continues to captivate readers today.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn a little more about its author. Randall Jarrell was an American poet, critic, and essayist who was active in the mid-twentieth century. He was known for his sharp wit and his ability to blend humor with deep insight. Jarrell was a pivotal figure in the literary scene of his time, and he influenced many of the writers who came after him.
"Jerome" was first published in 1941, in Jarrell's first poetry collection, Blood for a Stranger. The poem is dedicated to Jarrell's friend and fellow poet, Robert Lowell. At the time of its publication, World War II was raging, and Jarrell's poetry often reflected the turmoil of the times.
The Poem
Here is the text of "Jerome" in its entirety:
Jerome
Randall Jarrell
The bat is abroad! The bat is abroad!
Three streets away it's exploring a barn.
It's high over head, it's asleep on the wind—
Oh, it's somewhere else!—it's away in a dream!
The night is so long the owls have gone to bed,
And I'm here all alone, I don't understand,
But I lie awake and I listen again
And I hear it again, the bat is abroad!
On the surface, "Jerome" seems like a simple poem about a bat. The speaker is lying awake at night, listening to the sound of the bat flying around outside. However, as we dig deeper, we begin to see that there is much more going on here than meets the eye.
Interpretation
Let's start with the title of the poem. Who is Jerome, and what does he have to do with anything? It's possible that Jerome is simply a name that Jarrell chose at random, but it's also possible that there is a deeper significance. Some critics have suggested that Jerome could be a reference to Saint Jerome, a fourth-century Christian theologian who was known for his ascetic lifestyle and his extensive translations of the Bible. If this is the case, then the title of the poem takes on a whole new layer of meaning. The bat could be seen as a symbol of the devil, and the speaker's fear and confusion could be seen as a reflection of the spiritual turmoil that Saint Jerome experienced in his own life.
Moving on to the poem itself, we can see that there is a sense of disorientation and confusion that runs throughout. The repeated phrase "The bat is abroad!" creates a sense of urgency and unease, as if the speaker is trying to alert someone to a danger that only he can sense. However, the bat itself is presented in a somewhat ambiguous way. It's "exploring a barn" and "asleep on the wind," which makes it seem harmless and innocent. At the same time, it's "away in a dream," which could suggest that it is not quite real, or that it is a figment of the speaker's imagination.
The night itself is also presented in an ambiguous way. The "owls have gone to bed," which suggests that it is very late, or perhaps even early in the morning. The fact that the speaker is "here all alone" adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability. The repetition of the phrase "I don't understand" underscores the speaker's confusion and lack of clarity. What is it that he doesn't understand? Is it the bat itself, or something deeper and more existential?
One of the most striking things about "Jerome" is the way that it plays with language and sound. The poem is full of alliteration and internal rhyme, which gives it a musical quality. The repeated "b" sounds in "bat," "abroad," and "barn" create a sense of movement and urgency, while the repeated "s" sounds in "asleep," "somewhere," and "listen" create a sense of softness and stillness. The poem also uses enjambment, which means that the lines flow into each other without punctuation. This creates a sense of momentum and continuity, as if the poem is building towards something.
Conclusion
So what does it all mean? That's the question that every reader of "Jerome" is left to grapple with. On the surface, the poem is a simple description of a bat flying around outside. However, as we dig deeper, we begin to see that there is much more going on here. The bat could be a symbol of something deeper and more existential, or it could be a reflection of the speaker's own fears and anxieties. The night itself is full of ambiguity and uncertainty, and the repeated phrase "I don't understand" underscores the speaker's confusion.
Ultimately, what makes "Jerome" such a powerful and enduring poem is its ability to capture a sense of disorientation and confusion that is all too familiar. We've all had moments when we've felt like we don't understand what's going on around us, or when we've been unable to articulate our fears and anxieties. "Jerome" captures that feeling perfectly, and it does so with a sense of musicality and linguistic playfulness that is both exhilarating and disorienting. It's a masterpiece of twentieth-century poetry, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Jerome: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination
Randall Jarrell's "Jerome" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of human existence in a way that is both profound and moving. The poem is a tribute to the life of Jerome, a man who lived a simple life but left a lasting impact on those around him. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
Themes
The poem explores several themes that are central to human existence. One of the main themes is the idea of mortality. The poem begins with the line, "Jerome, Jerome, / What are you doing Jerome?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life. The repetition of Jerome's name emphasizes the importance of his life, while the question "What are you doing Jerome?" suggests that his actions are significant and worthy of attention.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of simplicity. Jerome is described as a man who lived a simple life, with "no wife, no child, no house, no land." Despite this, he is portrayed as a contented man who is at peace with himself and the world around him. This theme is reinforced by the imagery used in the poem, which is focused on the natural world. Jerome is described as "sitting on a rock, / Watching the river flow," and "listening to the birds." This imagery suggests that Jerome finds joy and contentment in the simple pleasures of life.
Imagery
The imagery used in the poem is rich and evocative. It is focused on the natural world and is used to create a sense of peace and tranquility. The river is a recurring image in the poem, and it is used to symbolize the flow of life. Jerome is described as "watching the river flow," which suggests that he is aware of the passing of time and the transience of life.
The birds are another important image in the poem. They are described as "singing in the trees," and their songs are used to create a sense of harmony and beauty. The birds are also used to symbolize the idea of freedom. Jerome is described as "listening to the birds," which suggests that he is attuned to the natural world and finds joy in its beauty.
Language
The language used in the poem is simple and direct. It is focused on conveying the emotions and ideas of the poem in a clear and concise manner. The repetition of Jerome's name is used to create a sense of familiarity and intimacy with the character. The use of the second person in the opening line, "What are you doing Jerome?" is also used to create a sense of connection between the reader and the character.
The language is also focused on creating a sense of peace and tranquility. The use of words like "flow," "listen," and "sing" creates a sense of harmony and beauty. The language is also focused on creating a sense of simplicity. The use of words like "no wife, no child, no house, no land" emphasizes the idea that Jerome lived a simple life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Jerome" is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of human existence in a way that is both profound and moving. The poem explores themes of mortality, simplicity, and the natural world, and uses rich and evocative imagery to create a sense of peace and tranquility. The language is simple and direct, and is focused on conveying the emotions and ideas of the poem in a clear and concise manner. Overall, "Jerome" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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