'Continent's End' by Robinson Jeffers
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Tamar and Other Poems1924At the equinox when the earth was veiled in a late rain,wreathed with wet poppies, waiting spring,
The ocean swelled for a far storm and beat its boundary,the ground-swell shook the beds of granite.I gazing at the boundaries of granite and spray, theestablished sea-marks, felt behind me
Mountain and plain, the immense breadth of the continent,before me the mass and doubled stretch of water.I said: You yoke the Aleutian seal-rocks with the lavaand coral sowings that flower the south,
Over your flood the life that sought the sunrise facesours that has followed the evening star.The long migrations meet across you and it is nothingto you, you have forgotten us, mother.
You were much younger when we crawled out of the womband lay in the sun's eye on the tideline.It was long and long ago; we have grown proud since thenand you have grown bitter; life retains
Your mobile soft unquiet strength; and envies hardness,the insolent quietness of stone.The tides are in our veins, we still mirror the stars,life is your child, but there is in me
Older and harder than life and more impartial, the eyethat watched before there was an ocean.That watched you fill your beds out of the condensationof thin vapor and watched you change them,
That saw you soft and violent wear your boundaries down,eat rock, shift places with the continents.Mother, though my song's measure is like your surf-beat'sancient rhythm I never learned it of you.
Before there was any water there were tides of fire, bothour tones flow from the older fountain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The End of a Continent: A Literary Criticism of Robinson Jeffers' "Continent's End"
Robinson Jeffers was an American poet known for his love of nature and his unorthodox poetic style. His poem "Continent's End" is a perfect example of his unique approach to poetry. In this poem, Jeffers describes the beauty and power of the California coast while also exploring themes of mortality and the cycle of life. In this literary criticism, I will analyze "Continent's End" and explore its meaning, structure, and language.
Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Jeffers lived most of his life in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small town on the coast of California. He was deeply connected to the natural beauty of the area and often wrote about it in his poetry. "Continent's End" was written in the early 1920s, during a time when California was experiencing rapid growth and development. Jeffers was concerned about the impact of civilization on the natural world and saw the California coast as a symbol of the conflict between human progress and the power of nature.
Structure
"Continent's End" is a long poem consisting of 23 stanzas. Each stanza is four lines long and follows a pattern of iambic tetrameter. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. However, Jeffers does use alliteration, repetition, and other poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.
The poem is divided into two parts. The first part describes the natural beauty and power of the California coast, while the second part explores the themes of mortality and the cycle of life. The transition between the two parts is marked by a shift in tone and subject matter.
Language
Jeffers' use of language in "Continent's End" is both poetic and precise. He uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a sense of the natural world. For example, he describes the sea as "the gray-green, vast, austere, / Unintelligible ocean" (lines 1-2). This description not only captures the visual appearance of the sea but also conveys its power and mystery.
Jeffers also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the first stanza, he repeats the word "sea" three times in quick succession: "The sea rocks have a green moss. / The pine rocks have red berries. / I have memories of you." This repetition creates a sense of continuity and connection between the different elements of nature.
Interpretation
The first part of "Continent's End" celebrates the natural beauty and power of the California coast. Jeffers describes the sea, the rocks, and the trees in vivid detail, emphasizing their power and majesty. He also emphasizes the interconnectedness of these different elements of nature, suggesting that they are all part of a larger ecosystem. The repetition of the word "sea" in the first stanza, for example, creates a sense of continuity between the sea, the rocks, and the speaker's memories.
The second part of the poem explores themes of mortality and the cycle of life. Jeffers suggests that human life is fleeting and insignificant compared to the power of nature. The line "We are perishable, frail, / And wandering genders" (lines 13-14) emphasizes the transience of human life. The final stanza, in which the speaker imagines the sea "rolling from its plantonic sleep / And catching fire in the west" (lines 89-90), suggests that the cycle of life will continue long after human civilization has passed away.
Overall, "Continent's End" is a powerful meditation on the beauty and power of nature, as well as the transience of human life. Jeffers' use of language and poetic devices creates a sense of both beauty and sadness, celebrating the natural world while also acknowledging its power over human beings. This poem is a testament to Jeffers' love of nature and his belief in the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Conclusion
Robinson Jeffers' "Continent's End" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of mortality, the cycle of life, and the beauty of nature. Jeffers' use of language and poetic devices creates a sense of both beauty and sadness, celebrating the natural world while also acknowledging its power over human beings. This poem is a testament to Jeffers' love of nature and his belief in the importance of preserving it for future generations. It is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire readers and poets today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. His poem, "Continent's End," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
"Continent's End" is a long poem that consists of 12 sections. The poem is set on the coast of California, where Jeffers lived most of his life. The poem begins with a description of the rugged coastline, the crashing waves, and the rocky cliffs. Jeffers uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the natural world, which is both beautiful and dangerous.
The first section of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Jeffers describes the sea as "the great mother" and "the eternal generator." He personifies the sea, giving it a sense of power and majesty. The sea is both nurturing and destructive, and Jeffers uses this duality to explore the human condition.
In the second section of the poem, Jeffers introduces the idea of time. He describes the sea as "the beginning and the end," suggesting that time is cyclical and eternal. Jeffers uses this idea of time to explore the human experience of mortality. He suggests that humans are like waves, rising and falling, but ultimately returning to the sea.
The third section of the poem introduces the idea of human civilization. Jeffers describes the "white houses" and "the little churches" that dot the coastline. He contrasts the human world with the natural world, suggesting that humans are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Jeffers suggests that humans are like "ants on a hill," busy with their own lives, but ultimately inconsequential.
In the fourth section of the poem, Jeffers introduces the idea of love. He describes the "young lovers" who come to the coast to watch the sunset. He contrasts the fleeting nature of human love with the eternal nature of the sea. Jeffers suggests that love is a temporary distraction from the inevitability of death.
In the fifth section of the poem, Jeffers explores the idea of religion. He describes the "little churches" that dot the coastline and suggests that religion is a human invention. He contrasts the human idea of God with the natural world, suggesting that humans have created a false sense of security in their belief in a higher power.
In the sixth section of the poem, Jeffers introduces the idea of war. He describes the "great guns" that were once fired from the coastline and suggests that war is a human invention. He contrasts the destructive nature of war with the nurturing nature of the sea, suggesting that humans have created their own destruction.
In the seventh section of the poem, Jeffers explores the idea of death. He describes the "old men" who come to the coast to die and suggests that death is a natural part of life. He contrasts the human fear of death with the eternal nature of the sea, suggesting that humans should embrace their mortality.
In the eighth section of the poem, Jeffers introduces the idea of art. He describes the "artists" who come to the coast to paint and suggests that art is a way of capturing the beauty of the natural world. He contrasts the human idea of art with the eternal nature of the sea, suggesting that art is a temporary expression of human creativity.
In the ninth section of the poem, Jeffers explores the idea of nature. He describes the "wild animals" that roam the coastline and suggests that nature is both beautiful and dangerous. He contrasts the human idea of nature with the eternal nature of the sea, suggesting that humans are a part of nature and should respect its power.
In the tenth section of the poem, Jeffers introduces the idea of philosophy. He describes the "thinkers" who come to the coast to contemplate the meaning of life and suggests that philosophy is a way of understanding the human condition. He contrasts the human idea of philosophy with the eternal nature of the sea, suggesting that humans should embrace the mystery of life.
In the eleventh section of the poem, Jeffers explores the idea of solitude. He describes the "solitary men" who come to the coast to be alone and suggests that solitude is a way of connecting with the natural world. He contrasts the human idea of solitude with the eternal nature of the sea, suggesting that humans should embrace their connection to the natural world.
In the final section of the poem, Jeffers brings all of these ideas together. He suggests that humans are a part of the natural world and should embrace their mortality. He suggests that humans should respect the power of nature and embrace the mystery of life. He suggests that humans should find solace in the beauty of the natural world and create art that captures its essence.
In conclusion, "Continent's End" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the human condition and our connection to the natural world. Jeffers uses vivid imagery and powerful language to paint a picture of the rugged coastline of California and the eternal power of the sea. He explores ideas such as time, love, religion, war, death, art, nature, philosophy, and solitude, and brings them together in a powerful and moving conclusion. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and the beauty of the natural world.
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