Editor 1 Interpretation

The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry

When it comes to nature poetry, few poets can match the brilliance of Robinson Jeffers. And one of his finest works is "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean," a haunting and mesmerizing poem that captures the beauty and the mystery of the natural world.

At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward, with its clear and direct language, its concise form, and its vivid imagery. But upon closer examination, it reveals itself to be a complex and multi-layered work that invites and challenges the reader to explore and interpret its meaning.

So let's dive deep into this masterpiece of nature poetry and see what treasures we can find.

The Poem

Here's the full text of "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean":

Unhappy about some far off things
That are not my affair, wandering
Along the coast and up the lean ridges,
I saw in the evening
The stars go over the lonely ocean,
And a black-maned wild boar
Plowing with his snout on Mal Paso Mountain.

The old monster snuffed the air,
And stamped his hoof and hailed me:
His eyes bulged like sea-foam,
And his jaw dropped to his chest.
He gave me a queer, sardonic grin,
And said, "I expect you're tired
Of poking up that snaggy creek."

I answered, "Yes, Monsieur,
And I would be greatly obliged
If you would tell me where there is a place
To sleep in this country."

"You might try down there by the coast,"
He said vaguely, "It's quiet there at night.
And the water's always soft.
Inland, on a ridge of course,
There's a strip of grass
And the air's always clean and fresh.
You might sleep there tonight
On the way to San Lucia."

"Thank you, Monsieur,"
I said grateful, "You have
An erudite and individualistic air
About you that commands respect.
I shall be happy to sleep
Wherever you recommend."

He swayed his head slowly,
And in the darkness before dawn
I dreamed
How Mal Paso bears
Umbrellas into the sea,
Hanging like red lanterns on the long
Crane of the windmill,
And the tides rush through the narrows
Of the Great Dipper.

The night is gone. I breathe a soft air
Blowing from the blue peaks far beyond the stars.

The Structure

Before we delve into the meaning of the poem, let's take a look at its structure. As you can see, it consists of four stanzas of varying length, with irregular rhymes and meter. The first stanza sets the scene and the mood, the second introduces the wild boar, the third contains the dialogue between the speaker and the boar, and the fourth concludes the poem with a dream and an epiphany.

The lack of strict form and rhythm gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, as if the words are flowing directly from the poet's mind and heart. This organic quality is enhanced by the vivid and concrete images that fill the poem, from the stars over the ocean to the black-maned wild boar to the umbrellas in the sea.

The Themes

Now let's turn to the themes of the poem. One of the most obvious themes is nature, and its vastness, beauty, and power. The stars over the ocean, the wild boar on the mountain, the grass on the ridge, the air that is always clean and fresh—all these images convey the magnificence and the mystery of the natural world.

Another theme is loneliness, and the sense of being isolated and disconnected from others. The speaker is "unhappy about some far off things / That are not my affair," wandering alone along the coast and up the ridges, seeking solace or companionship. The fact that he talks to a wild boar, and that the boar talks back, suggests a deep longing for communication and understanding, even with non-human beings.

The theme of mortality is also present in the poem, as hinted by the use of words like "old monster" and "snuffed" in describing the boar, and by the dream of the umbrellas in the sea, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the fleeting and fragile nature of human life. The fact that the speaker breathes "a soft air / Blowing from the blue peaks far beyond the stars" suggests a sense of acceptance and transcendence of this mortality, as if he has found a spiritual connection with something greater than himself.

The Interpretations

Now comes the fun part: interpreting the poem. As with all great literature, "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" offers multiple interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective, experience, and imagination. Here are a few possible ones:

The poem can be read as a meditation on the human condition, and the search for meaning and purpose in a vast and indifferent universe. The speaker's alienation and his encounter with the boar can be seen as symbols of the existential angst that afflicts modern humans, who feel disconnected from nature, society, and themselves.
The poem can be read as a celebration of the natural world, and the joy of being alive in it. The speaker's wanderings and his encounter with the boar can be seen as a journey of discovery and wonder, as he experiences the beauty and the power of the ocean, the mountains, and the wildlife.
The poem can be read as a critique of human civilization, and the damage it has inflicted on the environment and other species. The speaker's distance from "far off things / That are not my affair" can be seen as a deliberate choice to avoid the problems and the conflicts of modern society, which often ignores or exploits the natural world.
The poem can be read as a commentary on the nature of poetry itself, and the relationship between the poet, the reader, and the world. The speaker's dialogue with the boar can be seen as a metafictional device, in which the poet plays with the conventions and the expectations of poetry, and invites the reader to engage in a playful and imaginative interpretation of the text.

The Conclusion

As you can see, "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" is a rich and rewarding poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. Its themes of nature, loneliness, mortality, and poetry resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its language and imagery continue to inspire and move us.

So the next time you feel lost or alone, or simply want to marvel at the beauty of the world, take a walk along the coast and up the ridges, and look up at the stars over the lonely ocean. Who knows, you might meet a black-maned wild boar, and have a conversation that will change your life forever.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, the renowned American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his deep understanding of human emotions. His poem, The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human existence. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem begins with the lines, "Unhappy about some far off things / That are not my affair, wandering / Along the coast and up the lean inland". These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is portrayed as a wanderer who is lost in his thoughts and is contemplating the mysteries of the universe. The use of the word "unhappy" suggests that the speaker is troubled by something that is beyond his control, and he is seeking solace in the vastness of nature.

The next few lines of the poem describe the beauty of the ocean and the stars, which are portrayed as eternal and unchanging. The lines, "All the while, O'herons, cry their raucous cry / I was young and easily fooled, and the ocean / Was deep and dark, and the shore was that shore / Of the lost, / High, and lonely, and wild. But the stars / Came right over the water, and held me / Gazing up into the wet night, until / I wondered if they were really stars at all" create a vivid image of the speaker standing on the shore, gazing up at the stars, and feeling overwhelmed by their beauty.

The imagery in this poem is powerful and evocative, as Jeffers uses words that paint a picture in the reader's mind. The use of the words "deep and dark" to describe the ocean creates a sense of mystery and foreboding, while the description of the shore as "high, and lonely, and wild" creates a sense of isolation and desolation. The use of the word "lost" further emphasizes the speaker's sense of being adrift in the world, with no clear direction or purpose.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's thoughts turn to the transience of human life and the eternal nature of the universe. The lines, "The stars go over the lonely ocean, / And the dead ones follow them. No hope, / No harm, just another heaven and earth / In their vast repose" suggest that the speaker is contemplating the idea of death and the afterlife. The use of the word "heaven" suggests that the speaker believes in some form of afterlife, while the phrase "vast repose" suggests that the universe is eternal and unchanging.

The poem ends with the lines, "I have been thinking about the vanity / Of painters and poets who are always seeking / A new audience, a new subject. They should / Look at crows and at clouds, and they should write / About the old things that are always new". These lines suggest that the speaker believes that true beauty and meaning can be found in the natural world, and that artists should focus on capturing the essence of the world around them rather than seeking fame or fortune.

In conclusion, The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the human experience. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Robinson Jeffers creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, while also exploring deep philosophical themes such as the transience of human life and the eternal nature of the universe. This poem is a true masterpiece of American literature, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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'The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean' by Robinson Jeffers