'Karma' by Edwin Arlington Robinson
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Christmas was in the air and all was well
With him, but for a few confusing flaws
In divers of God's images. Because
A friend of his would neither buy nor sell,
Was he to answer for the axe that fell?
He pondered; and the reason for it was,
Partly, a slowly freezing Santa Claus
Upon the corner, with his beard and bell.
Acknowledging an improvident surprise,
He magnified a fancy that he wished
The friend whom he had wrecked were here again.
Not sure of that, he found a compromise;
And from the fulness of his heart he fished
A dime for Jesus who had died for men.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Karma by Edwin Arlington Robinson: An Analysis
As a literary enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the works of Edwin Arlington Robinson, and Karma is no exception. This poem is undoubtedly one of his most intriguing pieces, with its enigmatic portrayal of a protagonist's journey to self-discovery.
Karma is a poem that delves into the concept of fate and the consequences of one's actions. Robinson uses vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to create a thought-provoking narrative that explores the themes of self-redemption, morality, and the human condition.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker describing the protagonist's state of mind, which is that of despair and desolation. The protagonist is depicted as a lost soul who is burdened by the weight of his past actions. The line "I stood before the sea, whose waves / Looked back upon me with a face / Of all my life's forgotten graves" (lines 1-3) sets the tone for the poem, and it is clear that the protagonist is haunted by his past mistakes.
The protagonist's journey to self-discovery is further explored in the second stanza, where we see him reflecting on his past actions. The line "I looked behind me where had gone / The years that were so full of me" (lines 7-8) suggests that the protagonist is trying to come to terms with his past and the consequences of his actions. The use of the word "full" in this line is particularly significant as it implies that the protagonist has lived a life without any regrets until now.
The third stanza of the poem sees the introduction of the concept of karma. The line "And then I saw the Law: I saw / That all things come by being what they are" (lines 9-10) suggests that the protagonist has come to a realization that his past actions have consequences, and he must face them. The use of the word "law" in this line implies that there is a higher power at work, and the protagonist must face the consequences of his actions, whether he likes it or not.
The fourth stanza sees the introduction of the sea as a metaphor for life. The line "I saw the Sea, and I was sad, / And all my heart was full of pain" (lines 13-14) suggests that the protagonist is overwhelmed by the enormity of life and the consequences of his actions. The use of the sea as a metaphor for life is particularly interesting as it implies that life is unpredictable and can be both beautiful and cruel at the same time.
The fifth stanza sees the protagonist accepting his fate and taking responsibility for his actions. The line "Then I knelt down to pray, but not / For God to hear me from afar" (lines 17-18) suggests that the protagonist is not seeking divine intervention but is taking responsibility for his actions. The use of the word "kneel" in this line is particularly significant as it implies that the protagonist is humbling himself before the universe and accepting his fate.
The final stanza sees the protagonist embracing his fate and taking a step towards redemption. The line "I rose, and walked, and took my way" (line 20) suggests that the protagonist has accepted his fate and is ready to face the consequences of his actions. The use of the word "took" in this line is particularly significant as it implies that the protagonist is taking ownership of his life and his actions.
Interpretation of the Poem
Karma is a poem that explores the human condition and the consequences of one's actions. The poem suggests that our actions have consequences, and we must face them, whether we like it or not. The protagonist's journey to self-discovery is a metaphor for our own journey towards self-awareness and redemption.
The poem also suggests that life is unpredictable and can be both beautiful and cruel at the same time. The use of the sea as a metaphor for life is particularly interesting, as it implies that life is unpredictable and can be both beautiful and cruel at the same time.
The poem suggests that self-redemption is possible, but it requires acceptance of one's fate and taking ownership of one's life and actions. The protagonist's acceptance of his fate and taking ownership of his life and actions is a metaphor for our own journey towards self-redemption.
Conclusion
Karma is a poem that explores the human condition and the consequences of one's actions. The use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor creates a thought-provoking narrative that explores the themes of self-redemption, morality, and the human condition. The poem suggests that life is unpredictable, and our actions have consequences that we must face. The protagonist's journey towards self-discovery and self-redemption is a metaphor for our own journey towards self-awareness and redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, and we must take ownership of our life and actions.
In conclusion, Karma is a masterpiece of poetry that is both thought-provoking and inspiring. Edwin Arlington Robinson's use of language and metaphor creates a compelling narrative that explores the human condition and the consequences of one's actions. The poem is a timely reminder that our actions have consequences, and we must take ownership of our life and actions if we are to achieve self-redemption.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Karma: A Poem of Life's Consequences
Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Karma" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the concept of karma, the idea that our actions have consequences that affect our future lives. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of life and the choices we make, and it speaks to us in a way that is both timeless and universal.
The poem begins with a description of a man who has lived his life in a state of self-absorption, ignoring the needs and feelings of others. He has been cruel and selfish, and he has taken pleasure in the pain and suffering of those around him. But now, as he approaches the end of his life, he begins to feel the weight of his actions, and he realizes that he has been living in a state of delusion.
The man's realization is expressed in the opening lines of the poem: "You cannot rob us of the rights we cherish, / Nor turn our thoughts away / From the bright picture of a 'land we live in' / To dark realities of decay." These lines suggest that the man has been living in a world of his own creation, a world in which he has been able to ignore the suffering of others and focus only on his own desires. But now, as he faces the reality of his own mortality, he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.
The poem goes on to describe the man's growing awareness of the world around him. He begins to see the beauty in nature, and he realizes that he has been blind to it for most of his life. He also begins to see the suffering of others, and he feels a deep sense of remorse for the pain he has caused. The poem captures this sense of remorse in the lines: "And we who nurse the plants that feed us / And feed them with our toil, / Are not so far from you in pity / As we are from your soil."
These lines suggest that the man has come to understand that he is not separate from the world around him, but that he is a part of it. He has been blind to the suffering of others, but now he sees that he is connected to them in a deep and profound way. He feels a sense of empathy for the plants that he has nurtured, and he realizes that he is not so different from them.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the man begins to feel the weight of his own karma. He realizes that the pain and suffering he has caused others will come back to him in his next life, and he feels a sense of dread and despair. The poem captures this sense of despair in the lines: "And when at last your time comes to die / And to the Lord you pray, / You'll find the 'land we live in' / Is just a dream that fades away."
These lines suggest that the man has come to understand that his life is not just about his own desires and needs, but that it is connected to a larger cycle of life and death. He realizes that his actions have consequences that will affect him in his next life, and he feels a sense of despair at the thought of facing those consequences.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the man's karma coming back to him. He sees himself in his next life, living in poverty and suffering, and he realizes that this is the result of his own actions. The poem captures this sense of realization in the lines: "And you will know then for the first time / How vain it was to boast / Of a 'land we live in' as your own, / When the whole wide world is your host."
These lines suggest that the man has come to understand that his life is not just about his own desires and needs, but that it is connected to a larger cycle of life and death. He realizes that his actions have consequences that will affect him in his next life, and he feels a sense of despair at the thought of facing those consequences.
In conclusion, Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Karma" is a powerful meditation on the nature of life and the choices we make. It speaks to us in a way that is both timeless and universal, and it reminds us that our actions have consequences that will affect us in ways we cannot imagine. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience, and it is a reminder that we are all connected to a larger cycle of life and death.
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