'Wise Men In Their Bad Hours' by Robinson Jeffers
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Wise men in their bad hours have enviedThe little people making merry like grasshoppersIn spots of sunlight, hardly thinkingBackward but never forward, and if they somehowTake hold upon the future they do itHalf asleep, with the tools of generationFoolishly reduplicatingFolly in thirty-year periods; the eat and laugh too,Groan against labors, wars and partings,Dance, talk, dress and undress; wise men have pretendedThe summer insects enviable;One must indulge the wise in moments of mockery.Strength and desire possess the future,The breed of the grasshopper shrills, "What does the futureMatter, we shall be dead?" Ah, grasshoppers,Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having madeSomething more equal to the centuriesThan muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.The mountains are dead stone, the peopleAdmire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness,The mountains are not softened nor troubledAnd a few dead men's thoughts have the same temper.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours: A Masterpiece by Robinson Jeffers
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were in a different world? A poem that made you question your existence and purpose? A poem that took you on a journey of emotions and thoughts? If you haven't, you need to read "The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours" by Robinson Jeffers.
Robinson Jeffers was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1887 to 1962. He was known for his controversial and unconventional views on religion, nature, and humanity. His poetry challenged the traditional beliefs and values of his time and advocated for a more natural and simplistic way of living.
"The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours" is one of Jeffers' most famous poems. It was first published in 1939 and is a part of his collection "The Double Axe and Other Poems". The poem is written in free verse and consists of 13 stanzas, each with 7 lines.
At first glance, the poem may seem confusing and difficult to understand. It is filled with complex metaphors and allusions that require a keen eye and a deep understanding of Jeffers' philosophy. However, once you delve into the poem and decipher its meaning, you will realize that it is a masterpiece that deserves to be studied and analyzed.
The Meaning Behind the Metaphors
"The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours" is a poem that explores the human condition and the struggle for meaning and purpose. Jeffers uses various metaphors to convey his message and challenge the reader's perception of reality.
The poem begins with a reference to the biblical story of the Three Wise Men who traveled to Bethlehem to see the birth of Jesus. However, instead of focusing on the joyous occasion, Jeffers sets a somber tone by describing the "bad hours" that the wise men encountered on their journey. He writes:
Three old men on the road to Bethany, They gave me a cardboard container with images Of the Genie of the Mountain and other marvels.
The "cardboard container" represents the frailty and impermanence of human existence. It is a metaphor for the human body that eventually decays and turns to dust. The "images" inside the container represent the illusions and fantasies that humans create to give meaning to their lives. Just like the Genie of the Mountain, these illusions are nothing but figments of our imagination.
Jeffers then goes on to describe the journey of the wise men and the obstacles they faced. He writes:
They had known by the course of the sun and the stars The hour of the birth of wonder. They were content in the blaze of the meteoric shower. But now they are lost in the dark and the snow.
The "sun and the stars" represent the traditional methods of navigation and guidance. The wise men relied on these methods to find their way to Bethlehem and witness the birth of Jesus. However, when they were faced with the "dark and the snow", these methods failed them, and they became lost and confused.
The "blaze of the meteoric shower" represents the fleeting moments of joy and wonder that humans experience in their lives. Just like the shower, these moments are brief and quickly fade away, leaving humans to face the harsh realities of life.
Jeffers then introduces the metaphor of the "son" who is searching for his father. He writes:
The son of the king of Azare, Who rules a country west of the moon, Is gone to find his father, who is lost.
The "son" represents humanity in its quest for meaning and purpose. The "father" represents God or some higher power that humans seek to find and connect with. However, just like the wise men, humans often become lost and confused in their search and are left to wander aimlessly.
Jeffers then describes the "bad hours" that humans encounter in their journey. He writes:
The bad hours come, we cannot hide them: They are not like fires or earthquakes, Not like the swift destruction of cities; They are subtle, and crawl through the spirit Slowly as the men who make them.
The "bad hours" represent the moments of despair and hopelessness that humans face in their lives. These moments are not as dramatic as fires or earthquakes but are subtle and insidious, creeping up on humans slowly and causing them to question their existence.
The "men who make them" represent humans themselves. Jeffers is suggesting that humans are the cause of their own suffering and that they need to take responsibility for their actions and choices.
Jeffers then concludes the poem by offering a glimmer of hope. He writes:
But the world shall be raised by the voices that have known The bitterness of solitude, into a thing we can bear.
The "voices that have known the bitterness of solitude" represent those who have experienced the pain and suffering of life and have emerged stronger and wiser. Jeffers is suggesting that it is through these experiences that humans can find meaning and purpose in their lives and can create a world that is worth living in.
The Importance of Jeffers' Philosophy
"The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours" is not just a poem; it is a reflection of Robinson Jeffers' philosophy of life. Jeffers believed that humans had lost touch with nature and that this disconnection was the cause of their suffering. He believed that humans needed to reconnect with nature and embrace a simpler way of living to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Jeffers' philosophy was controversial and often criticized by his contemporaries. However, his message is more relevant today than ever before. With the rise of technology and the increasing disconnect from nature, humans are facing a crisis of meaning and purpose. Jeffers' poem serves as a reminder that we need to reconnect with nature and each other to find a way out of this crisis.
Conclusion
"The Wise Men In Their Bad Hours" is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be studied and analyzed. Robinson Jeffers' use of metaphors and allusions creates a powerful message about the human condition and the struggle for meaning and purpose. His philosophy of reconnecting with nature and embracing a simpler way of living is more relevant today than ever before. If you haven't read this poem yet, you need to do so. It will take you on a journey of emotions and thoughts that you will never forget.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wise Men In Their Bad Hours: A Poetic Masterpiece
Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time. Wise Men In Their Bad Hours is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human nature and the struggles that we face in life. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with the line, "Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the theme of wisdom. Jeffers suggests that wisdom is not something that can be attained by soaring high above the world, but rather by stooping down and examining the world around us. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem as Jeffers explores the struggles of wise men in their bad hours.
The first stanza of the poem describes the struggles of wise men who are facing difficult times. Jeffers writes, "The blackest cloud is the one most full of light; the seed that is lowest holds the greatest might." This line suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and light to be found. The seed that is buried deep in the ground may seem insignificant, but it has the potential to grow into something great. This imagery is powerful and suggests that even in our darkest moments, we have the potential to grow and overcome our struggles.
The second stanza of the poem explores the idea of sacrifice. Jeffers writes, "The greatest gift is a portion of thyself." This line suggests that the greatest gift that we can give is not material possessions, but rather a part of ourselves. This idea is reinforced in the following lines, "Take heed that thou art not found without some scars of service." Jeffers suggests that in order to truly give of ourselves, we must be willing to make sacrifices and serve others. This theme of sacrifice is a common one in literature and is often associated with heroism and selflessness.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of mortality. Jeffers writes, "The most living moment comes when those who love us are dead." This line suggests that we often appreciate the people in our lives the most when they are no longer with us. This idea is reinforced in the following lines, "The most loving moment is when we are dying." Jeffers suggests that in our final moments, we are able to truly appreciate the beauty of life and the people in it. This theme of mortality is a powerful one and reminds us to cherish the time that we have with the people we love.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the idea of nature. Jeffers writes, "The wolf that all cowers before thy feet, the wild steer that knows no master, the mockingbird, quick to praise whatever is fickle and undependable." This line suggests that nature is unpredictable and uncontrollable. The wolf may cower before us one moment, but attack us the next. The wild steer may seem docile, but can become dangerous at any moment. The mockingbird may sing our praises one moment, but turn on us the next. This imagery is powerful and suggests that we must respect and appreciate the power of nature.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem explores the idea of love. Jeffers writes, "Love that is cleansed by tears and by blood." This line suggests that true love is not easy, but rather requires sacrifice and struggle. This idea is reinforced in the following lines, "The love that is wiped by many winds; the love that is fed by the years." Jeffers suggests that true love is enduring and can withstand the test of time. This theme of love is a powerful one and reminds us of the importance of relationships and human connection.
In conclusion, Wise Men In Their Bad Hours is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of wisdom, sacrifice, mortality, nature, and love. Jeffers uses powerful imagery and symbolism to convey his message and remind us of the struggles that we face in life. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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