'The End Of The Library' by Weldon Kees
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When the coal
Gave out, we began
Burning the books, one by one;
First the set
Of Bulwer-Lytton
And then the Walter Scott.
They gave a lot of warmth.
Toward the end, in
February, flames
Consumed the Greek
Tragedians and Baudelaire,
Proust, Robert Burton
And the Po-Chu-i. Ice
Thickened on the sills.
More for the sake of the cat,
We said, than for ourselves,
Who huddled, shivering,
Against the stove
All winter long.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The End Of The Library by Weldon Kees: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
As a lover of modern poetry, I have always been fascinated by the works of Weldon Kees. His poem, "The End Of The Library" is a masterpiece that has captured the imagination of readers for generations. At only 24 lines, the poem evokes powerful emotions and deep reflections on life, death, and the fleeting nature of existence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, motifs, and symbolism of the poem and show how Kees has crafted a work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
Overview of the Poem
"The End Of The Library" is a poem about the end of life and the impermanence of all things. The poem is set in a library, a place that is often associated with knowledge, learning, and the accumulation of wisdom. Kees, however, turns this notion on its head by showing the library in a state of decay and abandonment. The shelves are empty, the books are "scattered like leaves," and the "dust has settled on every shelf." The poem is a meditation on the transitory nature of human existence and a reflection on what remains after we are gone.
Analysis of the Poem
Theme of Mortality
The theme of mortality looms large in "The End Of The Library." Kees uses the image of the library in a state of decay to symbolize the inevitability of death and the transience of human existence. The empty shelves and scattered books are a metaphor for the passing of time and the fading of memory. The library, once a repository of knowledge and wisdom, has become a graveyard of forgotten books. The poem is a stark reminder that all things must end, and that there is no escape from the finality of death.
Symbolism of the Library
The library in "The End Of The Library" is a powerful symbol that represents the human desire for knowledge and understanding. The books on the shelves are a testament to the human need to seek answers and find meaning in life. The empty shelves and scattered books, however, are a symbol of our ultimate failure to find these answers. Kees seems to suggest that no matter how much we learn, there will always be mysteries that elude us, and that our pursuit of knowledge is ultimately futile.
Imagery of Decay
The imagery of decay in the poem is a powerful metaphor for the impermanence of all things. The scattered books and empty shelves are a symbol of the passing of time and the transient nature of existence. The dust on the shelves and the cobwebs in the corners are a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and that even the most enduring works of art and literature will eventually fade away. Kees uses this imagery to evoke a sense of melancholy and loss, and to remind us of the inevitability of our own mortality.
Tone of the Poem
The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective. Kees uses simple, understated language to convey a sense of sadness and resignation. The poem is not a lament, however, but a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence. Kees seems to suggest that even in the face of death, there is something beautiful and profound about life, and that the things we leave behind – our books, our art, our memories – can endure long after we are gone.
Conclusion
"The End Of The Library" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to captivate readers today. Through the use of powerful imagery, symbolism, and language, Kees has crafted a work of art that explores the themes of mortality, decay, and the transience of human existence. The poem is a reminder that all things must end, but that even in the face of death, there is something beautiful and profound about life. Kees has created a work of art that speaks to the universal human experience, and that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The End of the Library: An Analysis of Weldon Kees’ Classic Poem
Weldon Kees’ poem, The End of the Library, is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the idea of the end of knowledge and the loss of culture. The poem is a reflection on the decline of the library as a symbol of knowledge and the rise of technology as a replacement for traditional forms of learning. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall message of the piece.
The poem begins with a description of the library, which is portrayed as a place of knowledge and learning. The speaker describes the library as a place where “the books are stacked like gravestones” (line 1), which immediately sets a somber tone. The comparison of books to gravestones suggests that the library is a place where knowledge goes to die, and that the books are the only remnants of what was once a thriving culture of learning.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the end of the library, which is described as a “slow death” (line 5). The speaker suggests that the library is dying because people are no longer interested in reading books, and that technology has replaced traditional forms of learning. The line “the microfilm’s ghosts are fading” (line 6) is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even the technology that was once seen as a replacement for books is now becoming obsolete.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the loss of culture. The speaker describes the library as a place where “the ghosts of poets and philosophers / Haunt the aisles” (lines 9-10). The use of the word “ghosts” suggests that these figures are no longer relevant in modern society, and that their ideas and beliefs are slowly fading away. The line “the silence is the sound of forgetting” (line 11) reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the absence of noise in the library is a sign of the loss of culture and knowledge.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the end of civilization. The speaker describes the library as a place where “the end of civilization / Is a quiet thing” (lines 13-14). This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the decline of the library is a sign of the decline of civilization itself. The use of the word “quiet” suggests that this decline is happening slowly and subtly, and that people are not paying attention to it.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the future. The speaker suggests that the library will eventually be replaced by technology, and that the books will be forgotten. The line “the books will be burned” (line 18) is particularly chilling, as it suggests that the knowledge contained within them will be lost forever. The final line of the poem, “and the rest is silence” (line 20), is a reference to Hamlet’s dying words, and suggests that the loss of knowledge and culture is a tragedy on par with the death of a great leader.
The imagery in the poem is particularly powerful, and contributes to the overall message of the piece. The comparison of books to gravestones in the first stanza is a particularly effective use of imagery, as it suggests that the library is a place where knowledge goes to die. The use of the word “ghosts” in the third stanza is also effective, as it suggests that the figures of poets and philosophers are no longer relevant in modern society, and that their ideas and beliefs are slowly fading away.
The symbolism in the poem is also significant. The library is a symbol of knowledge and culture, and its decline is a symbol of the decline of civilization itself. The use of technology as a replacement for traditional forms of learning is also symbolic, as it suggests that society is moving away from the values of the past and embracing a new, more technological future.
In conclusion, The End of the Library is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the decline of knowledge and culture in modern society. The use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective, and contributes to the overall message of the piece. The poem is a warning about the dangers of embracing technology at the expense of traditional forms of learning, and a call to preserve the knowledge and culture of the past for future generations.
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