'Intellectuals' by Robinson Jeffers

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Give Your Heart To The Hawks1933It is so hard for men to stand by themselves,
They must hang on Marx or Christ, or mere Progress?
Clearly it is hard. But these ought to be leaders...
Sheep leading sheep, "The fold, the fold.
Night comes, and the wolves of doubt." Clearly it is hard.Yourself, if you had not encountered and loved
Our unkindly all but inhuman God
Who is very beautiful and too secure to want worshippers,
And includes indeed the sheep with the wolves,
You too might have been looking about for a church.He includes the flaming stars and pitiable flesh,
And what we call things and what we call nothing.
He is very beautiful. But when these lonely have traveled
Through long thoughts to redeeming despair,
They are tired and cover their eyes; they flock into fold.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Ode to Intellectuals: A Critical Reading of Robinson Jeffers' Poetry

Robinson Jeffers is a poet who has been lauded for his ability to bring out the beauty of nature and the human condition through his writing. His poetry has been celebrated for its depth, its power, and its ability to touch the hearts of readers. One of his most celebrated works is "Intellectuals," in which he celebrates the thinkers and philosophers who have shaped the world. In this critical reading, we will explore the themes, the imagery, and the message of this classic poem.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let us take a moment to appreciate the poem itself:

Intellectuals
Robinson Jeffers

The small Socratic republic has bred many big thinkers,
Out of the quarrel of the schools came forth one Plato;
But who could have foretold the insanities of Nietzsche?
Who could have foretold the Fascisti and their fantastic bombast?
Yet they exist, and we do not comprehend them.

The intellectual is a rare bird, and sometimes a dangerous;
Few survive in the air or on the earth, the waters are safer.
Yet they exist, and some of them write poetry,
And some of them govern States, and some of them are priests.

There is no simple solution, no panacea for intellectuals,
Nor for anything else that ails us: nothing but death,
The immortal spirit falling like a bird and breaking its wings,
Yet singing in its fall that brings down Heaven to us.

O intellectuals, where are you going, wandering like lions
In the forest of thought, with your heads full of thunder?
Will you find the meaning of life, or will you perish in your pride?

The earth waits, and the sky waits, and the sea waits,
For the coming of the one who is to come;
But who knows whether he will come, or whether he will be one of us?

The Themes

At the core of "Intellectuals," there are several themes that run throughout the poem. One of the most prominent themes is the idea that intellectuals are a rare and valuable commodity. Jeffers acknowledges that not everyone can be an intellectual, and that those who are often have a difficult time of it. He points out that many intellectuals are misunderstood or even ostracized by society, and that they often face challenges that other people do not.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea that there are no easy answers to life's problems. Jeffers suggests that we cannot simply "fix" the issues that we face in life, and that death is often the only solution. Despite this, he also suggests that there is something beautiful about the way that we face our mortality, and that our struggles can bring us closer to the divine.

Finally, the poem is also concerned with the idea of the pursuit of knowledge. Jeffers suggests that intellectuals are constantly searching for meaning and understanding in the world, but that this search can sometimes be misguided. He asks whether or not intellectuals will ever truly be able to understand the meaning of life, or whether they will be lost in their own pride and ambition.

The Imagery

Throughout "Intellectuals," Jeffers uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring his ideas to life. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "small Socratic republic." This image suggests that there are certain places in the world where intellectualism is valued and encouraged, and that these places can give rise to great thinkers.

Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "immortal spirit falling like a bird and breaking its wings." This image suggests that our search for knowledge and understanding can sometimes be painful and difficult, but that there is something beautiful about the way that we struggle. Jeffers also suggests that even in our darkest moments, we can find a kind of transcendence that brings us closer to God.

Finally, the image of intellectuals "wandering like lions in the forest of thought" is an evocative one. It suggests that the pursuit of knowledge is both exhilarating and dangerous, and that those who engage in it must be willing to take risks and face challenges.

The Message

At its core, "Intellectuals" is a poem about the beauty and the challenges of intellectualism. Jeffers suggests that intellectuals are a rare and valuable commodity, but also acknowledges that they face many challenges and must often struggle to be understood. He also suggests that our search for knowledge and meaning in the world is a difficult one, and that there are no easy answers to life's problems.

Despite this, Jeffers also suggests that there is something beautiful about the way that we face our mortality and our struggles. He suggests that even in our darkest moments, we can find a kind of transcendence that brings us closer to the divine. Ultimately, Jeffers leaves us with a sense of hope and wonder, suggesting that even if we never fully understand the mysteries of the universe, there is something beautiful and worthwhile about the pursuit of knowledge.

Conclusion

"Intellectuals" is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the beauty and the challenges of intellectualism. Through vivid imagery and powerful themes, Jeffers explores the struggles that intellectuals face, the value of their contributions to society, and the ultimate beauty of the pursuit of knowledge. While the poem is not without its challenges and complexities, it ultimately leaves us with a sense of hope and wonder, and a deep appreciation for the power of human thought and creativity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Intellectuals: A Masterpiece by Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that is characterized by his love for nature and his philosophical musings. One of his most famous works is "Poetry Intellectuals," a poem that explores the relationship between poetry and intellectualism. In this article, we will delve into the poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a group of intellectuals, who are presumably poets. The speaker acknowledges the intellect of these poets but also points out that their intellect has made them lose touch with the natural world. He says, "You are very clever, but it is a long time since you have seen the stars." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a critique of the intellectualism that has taken over poetry.

The first theme that emerges in the poem is the conflict between intellect and nature. The speaker argues that the intellectuals have become so consumed with their own thoughts and ideas that they have lost touch with the natural world. He says, "You have studied all there is to know of language and of the mind, but you have forgotten the earth and its rhythms." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poetry should be rooted in nature and that the intellect should not be the sole focus of poetry.

The second theme that emerges in the poem is the idea that poetry should be accessible to everyone. The speaker argues that the intellectuals have made poetry too complex and inaccessible to the average person. He says, "You have made a language for yourselves, a jargon of the mind, and you have forgotten the people." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poetry should be written in a language that everyone can understand and appreciate.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Jeffers to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza focuses on the conflict between intellect and nature, the second stanza focuses on the inaccessibility of poetry, and the third stanza offers a solution to these problems.

The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Jeffers uses simple and direct language to convey his message. He does not use complex metaphors or obscure references, which makes the poem accessible to everyone. The language of the poem is also very visual, with Jeffers using imagery to convey his message. For example, he says, "You have forgotten the smell of the sea, the color of the sky, the sound of the wind." This line creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and reinforces the idea that poetry should be rooted in nature.

In the third stanza, the speaker offers a solution to the problems he has identified. He says, "Come back to the earth, come back to the people, you are poets, but you are also men." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poets should not be consumed by their intellect but should also be connected to the natural world and the people around them. The speaker urges the poets to use their intellect to understand the world around them and to write poetry that is accessible to everyone.

In conclusion, "Poetry Intellectuals" is a masterpiece by Robinson Jeffers that explores the relationship between poetry and intellectualism. The poem critiques the intellectualism that has taken over poetry and argues that poetry should be rooted in nature and accessible to everyone. The structure and language of the poem reinforce these themes and make the poem accessible to everyone. Jeffers' message is clear: poets should use their intellect to understand the world around them and write poetry that is accessible to everyone.

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