'Toward The Space Age' by Mary Oliver

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We must begin to catch hold of everything
around us, for nobody knows what we
may need. We have to carry along
the air, even; and the weight we once
thought a burden turns out to form
the pulse of our life and the compass for our brain.
Colors balance our fears, and existence
begins to clog unless our thoughts
can occur unwatched and let a fountain of essential silliness
out through our dreams.

And oh I hope we can still arrange
for the wind to blow, and occasionally
some kind of shock to occur, like rain,
and stray adventures no one cares about --
harmless love, immoderate guffaws on corners,
families crawling around the front room growling,
being bears in the piano cave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Toward The Space Age: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Mary Oliver, an American poet, is best known for her nature poems, which explore the beauty and mystery of the natural world. However, in "Toward The Space Age," Oliver takes a different approach, exploring the excitement and wonder of the space age. In this critique, we will examine the poem's language, images, symbols, and themes to understand Oliver's perspective on the space age.

Language and Images

Oliver's language in "Toward The Space Age" is vivid and imaginative, creating a picture of a world on the brink of a new era. She begins the poem with the lines:

What was torn, is now whole.
What was broken, is now bound.

These lines suggest that the world is undergoing a transformation, moving from a state of fragmentation and disunity to a state of wholeness and unity. The use of words like "torn" and "broken" evoke a sense of damage and destruction, while "whole" and "bound" suggest healing and restoration.

Oliver uses images of space and the cosmos to convey a sense of wonder and awe. She writes:

We are the space we stand in,
the universe remade in us.

These lines suggest that humans are intimately connected to the cosmos and that we are part of a larger whole. The use of the word "remade" suggests that we have the power to transform ourselves and the world around us.

Symbols

In "Toward The Space Age," Oliver uses a number of symbols to convey her message. One of the most striking is the moon, which appears several times throughout the poem. Oliver writes:

The moon, pale as bone,
casts a long shadow down the lane.

The moon is often associated with mystery and romance, and Oliver uses it here to evoke a sense of wonder and possibility. The image of the moon casting a long shadow down the lane suggests that the space age is casting a long shadow over our world, transforming everything in its path.

Another important symbol in the poem is the rocket, which represents humanity's quest for exploration and discovery. Oliver writes:

The rocket knows its lonely course.
It carries all, and will leave all behind.

The rocket is a powerful symbol of human ingenuity and ambition, and Oliver suggests that it holds the key to our future.

Themes

One of the central themes of "Toward The Space Age" is the idea of transformation. Oliver suggests that the space age is ushering in a new era, in which humans will be able to transform themselves and the world around them. She writes:

With a thrust of fire and a burst of light,
we soar into the universe,
leaving behind everything we know,
toward the space age.

These lines suggest that the space age represents a dramatic break with the past, and that it offers us the opportunity to explore new frontiers and discover new possibilities.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of unity. Oliver suggests that the space age is bringing people together, creating a sense of shared purpose and common destiny. She writes:

Outward and upward we go,
our destiny writ in the stars,
our fate bound up with the cosmos,
our future a shared one.

These lines suggest that the space age represents a new era of collaboration and cooperation, in which humans work together to achieve a common goal.

Conclusion

In "Toward The Space Age," Mary Oliver captures the excitement and wonder of the space age, using vivid language, powerful images, and resonant symbols to convey her message. Through her poetry, Oliver suggests that the space age represents a new era of transformation and unity, in which humans will be able to explore new frontiers and discover new possibilities. As we continue to explore the cosmos, we would do well to heed Oliver's words and remember the power of human imagination and ambition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Toward The Space Age: A Poetic Journey to the Stars

As we gaze up at the night sky, we are filled with wonder and awe at the vastness and mystery of the universe. The stars and planets seem to beckon us to explore and discover their secrets. In her poem "Toward The Space Age," Mary Oliver captures this sense of wonder and excitement as she imagines humanity's journey to the stars.

The Poem

"Toward The Space Age" is a short poem consisting of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. The language is simple and direct, yet the imagery is powerful and evocative.

The poem begins with a description of the night sky, with its "thousands of stars" and "planets, comets, and moons." Oliver then imagines humanity's journey to the stars, as we "leave behind the earth" and "travel through the darkness."

In the second stanza, Oliver describes the "great ships" that will carry us to the stars. These ships are "built of steel and light" and are "powered by the sun." They are "swift and silent" as they travel through space.

In the third stanza, Oliver imagines the crew of these ships, who are "brave and curious" and "eager for adventure." They are "scientists and poets" who seek to "understand the universe" and "explore its mysteries."

In the fourth stanza, Oliver describes the journey itself, as the ships "pass through the darkness" and "cross the vast distances" between the stars. The crew is "awed by the beauty" of the universe and "humbled by its power."

In the fifth stanza, Oliver imagines the destination of this journey, as the ships "arrive at new worlds" and "explore their landscapes." The crew is "amazed by the diversity" of these worlds and "inspired by their beauty."

Finally, in the sixth stanza, Oliver reflects on the significance of this journey. She imagines that humanity's journey to the stars will "transform us" and "enrich our lives." We will "learn to see ourselves" in a new way and "understand our place" in the universe.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of the night sky, which is a symbol of the vastness and mystery of the universe. Oliver uses the image of "thousands of stars" to convey the sense of awe and wonder that we feel when we look up at the sky. She also includes the image of "planets, comets, and moons" to suggest the diversity and complexity of the universe.

In the second stanza, Oliver introduces the idea of "great ships" that will carry us to the stars. These ships are symbols of our technological prowess and our ability to harness the power of the sun. The ships are also "swift and silent," which suggests that our journey to the stars will be both efficient and peaceful.

In the third stanza, Oliver describes the crew of these ships as "brave and curious" and "eager for adventure." She also includes the image of "scientists and poets" to suggest that our journey to the stars will be both scientific and artistic. The crew is motivated by a desire to "understand the universe" and "explore its mysteries," which suggests that our journey to the stars will be driven by a sense of curiosity and wonder.

In the fourth stanza, Oliver describes the journey itself, as the ships "pass through the darkness" and "cross the vast distances" between the stars. She also includes the image of the crew being "awed by the beauty" of the universe and "humbled by its power." This suggests that our journey to the stars will be both challenging and inspiring, and that we will be forced to confront the vastness and complexity of the universe.

In the fifth stanza, Oliver imagines the destination of our journey, as we "arrive at new worlds" and "explore their landscapes." She also includes the image of the crew being "amazed by the diversity" of these worlds and "inspired by their beauty." This suggests that our journey to the stars will be a source of wonder and inspiration, as we discover new worlds and encounter new forms of life.

Finally, in the sixth stanza, Oliver reflects on the significance of our journey to the stars. She imagines that this journey will "transform us" and "enrich our lives." She also suggests that we will "learn to see ourselves" in a new way and "understand our place" in the universe. This suggests that our journey to the stars will be a source of personal and cultural transformation, as we come to understand our place in the universe and our relationship to the natural world.

Conclusion

"Toward The Space Age" is a poem that celebrates humanity's sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe. Oliver imagines a future in which we have the technology and the courage to explore the stars, and she portrays this journey as one of adventure, discovery, and transformation. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of exploration and discovery, and it encourages us to embrace our sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe.

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