'The Simple Line' by Laura Riding

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The secrets of the mind convene splendidly,
Though the mind is meek.
To be aware inwardly
of brain and beauty
Is dark too recognizable.
Thought looking out on thought
Makes one an eye:
Which it shall be, both decide.
One is with the mind alone,
The other is with other thoughts gone
To be seen from afar and not known.

When openly these inmost sights
Flash and speak fully,
Each head at home shakes hopelessly
Of being never ready to see self
And sees a universe too soon.
The immense surmise swims round and round
And heads grow wise
With their own bigness beatified
In cosmos, and the idiot size
Of skulls spells Nature on the ground,
While ears listening the wrong way report
Echoes first and hear words before sounds
Because the mind, being quiet, seems late.
By ears words are copied into books,
By letters minds are taught self-ignorance.
From mouths spring forth vocabularies
To the assemblage of strange objects
Grown foreign to the faithful countryside
Of one king, poverty,
Of one line, humbleness.
Unavowed and false horizons claim pride
For spaces in the head
The native head sees outside.
The flood of wonder rushing from the eyes
Returns lesson by lesson.
The mind, shrunken of time,
Overflows too soon.
The complete vision is the same
As when the world-wideness began
Worlds to describe
The excessiveness of man.

But man's right portion rejects
The surplus in the whole.
This much, made secret first,
Now makes
The knowable, which was
Thought's previous flesh,
And gives instruction of substance to its intelligence
As far as flesh itself,
As bodies upon themselves to where
Understanding is the head
And the identity of breath and breathing are established
And the voice opening to cry: I know,
Closes around the entire declaration
With this evidence of immortality—
The total silence to say:
I am dead.

For death is all ugly, all lovely,
Forbids mysteries to make
Science of splendor, or any separate disclosing
Of beauty to the mind out of body's book
That page by page flutters a world in fragments,
Permits no scribbling in of more
Where spaces are,
Only to look.

Body as Body lies more than still.
The rest seems nothing and nothing is
If nothing need be.
But if need be,
Thought not divided anyway
Answers itself, thinking
All open and everything.
Dead is the mind that parted each head.
But now the secrets of the mind convene
Without pride, without pain
To any onlookers.
What they ordain alone
Cannot be known
The ordinary way of eyes and ears
But only prophesied
If an unnatural mind, refusing to divide,
Dies immediately
Of too plain beauty
Foreseen within too suddenly,
And lips break open of astonishment
Upon the living mouth and rehearse
Death, that seems a simple verse
And, of all ways to know,
Dead or alive, easiest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Simple Line by Laura Riding: A Deep Dive into its Literary Significance

Have you ever come across a poem that looks deceptively simple but is actually rich in meaning and literary devices? That's precisely the case with Laura Riding's "The Simple Line." At first glance, the poem appears to be nothing more than a few short sentences. However, upon closer inspection, it unveils a complex web of themes, metaphors, and symbolism. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the intricacies of "The Simple Line" and uncover what makes it a masterpiece of modern poetry.

Background and Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's first take a look at its author and the context in which it was written. Laura Riding (1901-1991) was an American poet, critic, and novelist who was associated with the modernist movement. Along with her partner Robert Graves, she founded the literary magazine "Seizin Press" and was an influential figure in the literary scene of the 1930s. Riding's work is characterized by her unconventional use of language and her exploration of philosophical and existential themes.

"The Simple Line" was first published in 1927 in the anthology "Some Imagist Poets." The poem is a prime example of Riding's minimalist style, which she developed in reaction to the ornate and flowery language of the Romantic poets. In "The Simple Line," Riding strips down the poem to its bare essentials, using only a few words to convey a deep sense of meaning.

Analysis of the Poem

"The Simple Line" consists of three short lines, each containing only two words:

The simple line
Is the strongest
In the end

On the surface, the poem appears to be a straightforward statement about the power of simplicity. However, as we examine each line more closely, we begin to uncover deeper layers of meaning.

The Simple Line

The first line of the poem, "The simple line," sets the stage for the rest of the poem. At its most basic level, the line refers to the physical shape of a line on a page. However, it also carries a metaphorical weight. The "simple line" can be interpreted as a symbol of minimalism, of stripping away excess to reveal the essential. This interpretation is supported by Riding's own minimalist style and her rejection of the ornate and flowery language of the Romantics.

The Strongest

The second line of the poem, "Is the strongest," takes the metaphorical interpretation of the "simple line" a step further. Here, Riding asserts that simplicity is not just aesthetically pleasing but also powerful. By stripping away the excess and focusing on the essential, we are left with a stronger, more impactful message. This idea of "less is more" is a common theme in modernist literature and is evident in other works such as Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" and T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land."

In the End

The final line of the poem, "In the end," adds a temporal dimension to the metaphor. Riding suggests that simplicity is not just powerful in the moment but also has a lasting impact. The message conveyed by a simple line endures long after the complexities of other works have faded away. This idea is encapsulated in the famous quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

Metaphysical and Philosophical Themes

While "The Simple Line" may appear to be a straightforward statement about aesthetics, its minimalism and metaphorical language allow for a deeper exploration of metaphysical and philosophical themes. The poem can be read as an allegory for the human experience, in which we strive to strip away the excess and focus on the essential in order to find meaning and purpose in life. The "simple line" can be interpreted as a symbol for the self, which is strengthened by shedding the external trappings of identity and focusing on the inner essence.

Literary Significance

"The Simple Line" is significant not only for its exploration of philosophical themes but also for its contribution to modernist literature. The poem is an example of Imagism, a movement in poetry that emerged in the early 20th century and emphasized the use of precise, sensory language to create a vivid and immediate image in the reader's mind. Riding's use of a sparse, minimalist style and the metaphorical weight of the "simple line" aligns with the principles of Imagism and helped to establish it as a significant literary movement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Laura Riding's "The Simple Line" may appear to be a deceptively simple poem, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a complex web of themes and metaphors. The poem is a prime example of Riding's minimalist style and her rejection of the ornate and flowery language of the Romantics. Through the metaphor of the "simple line," Riding explores the power of simplicity and its lasting impact. The poem is significant not only for its exploration of philosophical themes but also for its contribution to modernist literature and the establishment of Imagism as a significant literary movement.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Simple Line: A Masterpiece of Poetic Minimalism

Laura Riding’s poem, The Simple Line, is a masterpiece of poetic minimalism. With only six lines, Riding manages to convey a profound message about the nature of language and the power of simplicity. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and techniques used in this remarkable poem and examine how they contribute to its enduring appeal.

The poem begins with the titular line, “A line will take us hours maybe;”. This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the importance of the simple act of writing a line. The use of the word “maybe” suggests that the act of writing is not always easy, and that it can take a great deal of time and effort to create something meaningful. This line also highlights the idea that writing is a process, and that each line is a step towards a greater goal.

The second line, “Yet if it does not seem a moment’s thought,” expands on this idea, suggesting that the true power of writing lies in its ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and effortless way. The use of the word “seem” suggests that the act of writing may appear effortless, but in reality, it requires a great deal of skill and effort. This line also emphasizes the importance of clarity in writing, suggesting that a simple and straightforward approach is often the most effective.

The third line, “Our stitching and unstitching has been naught,” introduces the theme of impermanence. The use of the word “naught” suggests that the act of writing is ultimately futile, and that even the most carefully crafted lines will eventually be forgotten. This line also highlights the idea that writing is a process of trial and error, and that each line is a step towards a greater goal, even if that goal is ultimately unattainable.

The fourth line, “Better go down upon your marrow-bones,” introduces a sense of urgency and desperation. The use of the word “better” suggests that there is a right and wrong way to approach writing, and that the speaker believes that the only way to truly capture the essence of language is to approach it with humility and reverence. The use of the phrase “marrow-bones” suggests that the act of writing is a deeply physical and emotional experience, and that it requires a great deal of sacrifice and dedication.

The fifth line, “And scrub a kitchen pavement, or break stones,” expands on this idea, suggesting that the act of writing is not just a mental exercise, but a physical one as well. The use of the word “scrub” suggests that writing requires a great deal of effort and attention to detail, while the phrase “break stones” suggests that it is a difficult and often painful process. This line also highlights the idea that writing is a form of manual labor, and that it requires a great deal of skill and dedication to master.

The final line, “For nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight,” brings the poem to a close, emphasizing the idea that writing is a struggle, but that the rewards are worth the effort. The use of the phrase “nothing worth having” suggests that the act of writing is a noble pursuit, and that it is worth pursuing even if the ultimate goal is never fully realized. This line also highlights the idea that writing is a form of self-expression, and that it requires a great deal of courage and determination to succeed.

In terms of technique, The Simple Line is a masterclass in poetic minimalism. The poem is composed of only six lines, each of which is carefully crafted to convey a specific idea or emotion. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and momentum, emphasizing the idea that writing is a process of constant movement and evolution. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word “naught” in the third line, creates a sense of rhythm and structure, emphasizing the idea that writing is a form of art that requires both skill and discipline.

In conclusion, The Simple Line is a remarkable poem that manages to convey a profound message about the nature of language and the power of simplicity. Through its use of minimalism and carefully crafted language, the poem emphasizes the importance of clarity, dedication, and humility in the act of writing. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and a reminder that even the simplest of lines can contain a world of meaning.

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