'Natural Music' by Robinson Jeffers
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The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little rivers,
(Winter has given them gold for silver
To stain their water and bladed green for brown to line their banks)
From different throats intone one language.
So I believe if we were strong enough to listen without
Divisions of desire and terror
To the storm of the sick nations, the rage of the hunger smitten cities,
Those voices also would be found
Clean as a child's; or like some girl's breathing who dances alone
By the ocean-shore, dreaming of lovers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Robinson Jeffers' "Natural Music": A Celebration of the Beauty and Power of Nature
Are you a nature lover? Do you feel exhilarated by the sight of a soaring eagle, a crashing wave, or a rugged coastline? If so, you'll love Robinson Jeffers' "Natural Music," a collection of poems that celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world. With his vivid descriptions and evocative language, Jeffers brings to life the landscapes and creatures of the California coast, inviting the reader to share in his awe and wonder.
Background
Robinson Jeffers was born in 1887 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent most of his life on the California coast, where he built a house and lived with his wife and twin sons. He was a prolific poet and playwright, and was known for his passionate love of nature and his fierce criticism of human society. His poetry is characterized by its vivid imagery, its strong rhythm, and its philosophical themes, which often explore the tension between nature and civilization.
"Natural Music" was published in 1928, and is one of Jeffers' most well-known collections of poetry. It contains some of his most famous works, including "Hurt Hawks," "Carmel Point," and "Shine, Perishing Republic." The poems in the collection are united by their celebration of the natural world, and their rejection of human arrogance and destructiveness.
Analysis
The poems in "Natural Music" are marked by their vivid descriptions of the California landscape, and their celebration of the beauty and power of nature. Jeffers' language is often strikingly evocative, and he uses a range of poetic devices to convey the majesty of the natural world. One of his most frequent devices is personification, or the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities. In "Roan Stallion," for example, Jeffers describes the titular horse as "kingly," "haughty," and "wild," using language that suggests a human-like pride and dignity. Similarly, in "Hurt Hawks," he describes the injured bird as "huddled in the nest, / The broken corse of what had been impudent beautiful." The use of the word "corse" (meaning "corpse") suggests a human-like sense of mortality and tragedy.
Another prominent feature of Jeffers' poetry is his use of rhythm and sound. Many of his poems have a strong, almost musical quality, with repeated patterns of sounds and stresses. In "Shine, Perishing Republic," for example, he uses a repeated pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables to create a sense of urgency and momentum:
Shine, perishing republic. But for your death I should not have sung these trifling songs at all, Or braided with the dancing hair of the ocean The white locks of the sea.
The repetition of the word "shine" and the alliteration of "perishing republic" create a sense of urgency and desperation, as if Jeffers is imploring his readers to pay attention to the natural world before it is too late.
Jeffers' poetry is also marked by its philosophical themes, which often interrogate the relationship between humanity and nature. He is deeply critical of human society and culture, and sees civilization as a destructive force that threatens the natural world. In "Carmel Point," for example, he describes the "civilization" of the city as a "disease" that is "eating the heart out of the earth." He contrasts this with the "wilderness" of the natural world, which he sees as a source of beauty and renewal:
The extraordinary patience of things! This beautiful place defaced with a crop of suburban houses— How beautiful when we first beheld it, Unbroken field of poppy and lupin walled with clean cliffs; No intrusion but two or three horses pasturing, Or a few milch cows rubbing their flanks on the outcrop rockheads— Now the spoiler has come: does it care? Not faintly. It has all time. It knows the people are a tide That swells and in time will ebb, and all Their works dissolve.
Jeffers' poetry thus challenges the human-centric view of the world, and invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger, more complex ecosystem.
Interpretation
What is the significance of Jeffers' celebration of nature? Why does he reject human society and culture in favor of the natural world? There are a number of possible interpretations of his poetry, but one of the most compelling is that he sees nature as a source of spiritual renewal and transcendence. For Jeffers, the wildness and unpredictability of the natural world represents a kind of freedom and authenticity that is lacking in human society. By immersing ourselves in nature, we can escape the constraints of civilization and reconnect with a more primal, elemental aspect of ourselves.
At the same time, however, Jeffers is not an uncritical observer of nature. He is well aware of the violence and cruelty that exists in the natural world, and does not shy away from depicting it in his poetry. In "Hurt Hawks," for example, he describes the injured bird as "battered and mangy," with "blood clawed" and "eyes that glazed." Similarly, in "Roan Stallion," he describes the horse as "streaked with the blood of a hare / That he had killed for his pleasure."
These depictions of violence and suffering are not meant to detract from the beauty of nature, but rather to remind us of its complexity and depth. Jeffers' poetry suggests that the natural world is not a simplistic, idyllic paradise, but rather a place of struggle and survival. By acknowledging this darker side of nature, he invites us to see the world in a more nuanced and complex way, and to appreciate the full range of experiences that it has to offer.
Conclusion
Robinson Jeffers' "Natural Music" is a powerful celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world. Through his vivid descriptions and evocative language, Jeffers brings to life the landscapes and creatures of the California coast, inviting the reader to share in his awe and wonder. His poetry challenges the human-centric view of the world, and invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger, more complex ecosystem. By celebrating nature, Jeffers offers us a vision of spiritual renewal and transcendence, and a reminder of the enduring majesty of the natural world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Natural Music: An Ode to the Beauty of Nature
Robinson Jeffers, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for his deep love for nature and his ability to capture its essence in his poetry. His poem, Poetry Natural Music, is a perfect example of his mastery in this regard. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little rivers." This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is a celebration of the natural world. Jeffers uses the metaphor of the ocean and the rivers to represent the vastness and diversity of nature. The "old voice" of the ocean represents the timeless quality of nature, while the "bird-chatter" of the rivers represents the lively and vibrant aspect of it.
The next few lines of the poem describe the different sounds of nature, such as the "wind's song" and the "rain's music." Jeffers uses personification to give these natural elements a human quality, making them seem like they are singing or playing music. This personification is a common technique used in poetry to create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the subject.
As the poem progresses, Jeffers shifts his focus to the animals that inhabit the natural world. He describes the "whispering of the prowling mountain cat" and the "howling of the wolf." These images create a sense of danger and mystery, reminding us that nature is not always peaceful and serene. However, Jeffers also highlights the beauty of these creatures, describing the "grace of the deer" and the "majesty of the eagle." This contrast between the beauty and danger of nature is a recurring theme in Jeffers' poetry.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn, as Jeffers contemplates the meaning of life and the role of humans in the natural world. He writes, "We are a part of the earth and it is part of us." This line suggests that humans are not separate from nature, but rather an integral part of it. Jeffers goes on to say that humans have a responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world, writing, "The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth."
This message is particularly relevant today, as we face the devastating effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Jeffers' poem reminds us that we are not the masters of the natural world, but rather its caretakers. We have a responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Jeffers writes, "We know that the soul of the earth is the life that we breathe, and the life that we eat." This line highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of preserving the natural world for our own survival. Jeffers' message is clear: if we destroy the natural world, we are ultimately destroying ourselves.
In terms of language and imagery, Jeffers uses a variety of techniques to create a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world. He uses personification, metaphor, and imagery to bring the sounds and sights of nature to life. For example, he describes the "sighing of the sea" and the "laughter of the waves," creating a sense of movement and energy.
Jeffers also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The repetition of the phrase "we belong to the earth" emphasizes the importance of this message and reinforces the idea that humans are not separate from nature.
In conclusion, Poetry Natural Music is a beautiful and powerful ode to the beauty and importance of nature. Jeffers' message is clear: we are not separate from the natural world, but rather an integral part of it. We have a responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations. Through his use of language and imagery, Jeffers creates a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world, reminding us of its beauty and power. This poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of preserving the natural world and our place within it.
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