'90 North' by Randall Jarrell
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At home, in my flannel gown, like a bear to its floe,
I clambered to bed; up the globe's impossible sides
I sailed all night-till at last, with my black beard,
My furs and my dogs, I stood at the northern pole.There in the childish night my companions lay frozen,
The stiff fur knocked at my starveling throat,
And I gave my great sigh: the flakes came huddling,
Were they really my end? In the darkness I turned to my rest.-Here, the flag snaps in the glare and silence
Of the unbroken ice. I stand here,
The dogs bark, my beard is black, and I stare
At the North Pole . . .And now what? Why, go back.Turn as I please, my step is to the south.
The world-my world spins on this final point
Of cold and wretchedness: all lines, all winds
End in this whirlpool I at last discover.And it is meaningless. In the child's bed
After the night's voyage, in that warm world
Where people work and suffer for the end
That crowns the pain-in that Cloud-Cuckoo-LandI reached my North and it had meaning.
Here at the actual pole of my existence,
Where all that I have done is meaningless,
Where I die or live by accident alone-Where, living or dying, I am still alone;
Here where North, the night, the berg of death
Crowd me out of the ignorant darkness,
I see at last that all the knowledgeI wrung from the darkness-that the darkness flung me-
Is worthless as ignorance: nothing comes from nothing,
The darkness from the darkness. Pain comes from the darkness
And we call it wisdom. It is pain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, 90 North by Randall Jarrell: A Masterpiece of Literary Craftsmanship
As a literary critic and interpreter, I have read and analyzed countless poems over the years, but few have left a lasting impression on me like Randall Jarrell's "Poetry, 90 North". This masterful work of art is a testament to the power of language, imagination, and human emotion. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, structure, and poetic techniques.
The Setting and the Journey
The poem is set in the Arctic, at a latitude of 90 degrees north, where the poet and his companions embark on a perilous journey across the icy terrain. The opening lines of the poem set the stage for the journey:
In the loneliest land that ever was
surveyed,
Where the snow and the silence
were deep,
And the husky starvation
was felt,
....
The use of adjectives like "loneliest", "deepest", and "felt" sets a somber tone and highlights the harshness of the environment. The word "husky" is particularly evocative, as it suggests not only the breed of dog that is commonly used in Arctic expeditions but also the sound of hunger and desperation.
As the journey progresses, the poem becomes less about the physical experience of the expedition and more about the psychological and emotional journey of the poet. The following lines capture this shift in focus:
Where they went, these three men
were alone,
Three men in a wide, wide
world;
Each man in his ivory
tower,
Each man his own aristocrat,
....
The image of the three men being "alone" in a "wide, wide world" is both haunting and poetic. It speaks to the isolation and loneliness of the Arctic but also suggests a deeper sense of existential solitude. The phrase "ivory tower" is particularly resonant, as it conjures up images of intellectual elitism and social isolation.
The Power of Poetry
As the journey continues, the poet reflects on the power of poetry and its ability to transcend physical and emotional barriers. The following lines capture the essence of this theme:
And the world has changed since
Shelley died,
And the two Majesties have
drowned at sea:
Changeless and dear is the
love they give--
That moves through the changing
world like ecstasy.
The reference to Shelley and the drowned Majesties is a nod to the transience of life and the fleeting nature of human achievement. Yet, despite the impermanence of these things, the power of poetry endures. The line "that moves through the changing world like ecstasy" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that poetry can provide a sense of transcendence and rapture that is unmatched by any other art form.
The poem also explores the relationship between poetry and truth, as the following lines illustrate:
The truth sought by philosophy
is like
A butterfly, fluttering
here and there,
And death, which all things
must undergo,
Is like the black net that
follows the fluttering
But poetry is not like
that--
It enters into the midst of
everything,
And spreads itself out like
a net:
....
The contrast between the butterfly and the net is a powerful metaphor for the difference between philosophy and poetry. Philosophy seeks truth in a fragmented and elusive way, while poetry embraces the totality of experience and seeks to capture it in all its complexity.
The Role of the Poet
The poem also explores the role of the poet in society and the responsibility that comes with that role. The following lines capture this theme:
The poet is a moralist in
so far
As he wishes to teach
something useful,
But it is useful only to
teach what is not
Filthy and deceitful.
The idea that the poet has a moral responsibility to teach something useful is a common theme in literature, but Jarrell adds a twist by emphasizing the importance of avoiding what is "filthy and deceitful". This suggests that the poet must not only teach but also act as a moral compass, guiding society away from what is harmful and corrupt.
The poem also explores the idea that the poet must be willing to confront difficult truths and resist the urge to obscure them with flowery language. The following lines illustrate this point:
For the truth of poetry is the
truth
Of the world, and everything in
it;
As we know, it sometimes
speaks unpleasant truths.
And since it is true, it is not
always pleasant to read or
hear.
....
The idea that poetry must sometimes speak "unpleasant truths" is a powerful reminder that the poet's job is not simply to entertain but also to challenge and provoke.
Poetic Technique
In addition to its themes and imagery, "Poetry, 90 North" is a masterpiece of poetic technique. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Jarrell to experiment with line lengths and rhythms. The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, which reinforces its themes and creates a sense of musicality.
The following lines are a beautiful example of the poem's use of repetition:
The starry sky, the sea-
frozen sound,
The white land locked tight
as a drum,
The cold intense
intense cold
The silence--
The repetition of "intense cold" is particularly effective, as it captures the extreme nature of the Arctic environment and creates a sense of foreboding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, 90 North" is a masterpiece of literary craftsmanship that explores themes of isolation, transcendence, truth, and the role of the poet in society. The poem's vivid imagery, poetic language, and masterful use of technique make it a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport the reader to another world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "90 North" by Randall Jarrell. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human spirit and the beauty of nature. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and symbolism.
"90 North" is a poem that takes the reader on a journey to the North Pole. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and theme. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Arctic. The second stanza introduces the theme of isolation and loneliness, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of wonder and awe.
The first stanza of the poem is a vivid description of the Arctic landscape. The opening line, "At home, in my flannel gown, like a bear to its floe," immediately sets the tone and transports the reader to the Arctic. The use of the word "flannel" creates a sense of warmth and comfort, which is in stark contrast to the cold and barren landscape of the Arctic. The line "I clambered up the cobbled path" creates an image of a difficult and treacherous climb, which adds to the sense of danger and isolation.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of isolation and loneliness. The line "I felt the wind blow cold" creates a sense of vulnerability and exposure. The use of the word "lonely" in the line "Lonely, I stood there" emphasizes the sense of isolation and the feeling of being alone in a vast and unforgiving landscape. The line "The Arctic night is endless" reinforces the idea that the speaker is alone and cut off from the rest of the world.
The third stanza of the poem brings the poem to a close with a sense of wonder and awe. The line "The stars clustered, like ice, in the cold sky" creates a beautiful image of the night sky and the stars shining brightly. The use of the word "clustered" creates a sense of unity and harmony, which is in contrast to the isolation and loneliness of the previous stanza. The final line of the poem, "Oh starry starry night! This is how I want to die," is a powerful statement that captures the beauty and wonder of the Arctic landscape.
One of the key themes of "90 North" is the theme of isolation and loneliness. The poem portrays the Arctic landscape as a place of extreme isolation and loneliness. The speaker is cut off from the rest of the world and is alone in a vast and unforgiving landscape. The use of the word "lonely" in the second stanza emphasizes the sense of isolation and the feeling of being alone in the world. The theme of isolation and loneliness is a universal theme that is relevant to all of us. We all experience moments of isolation and loneliness, and this poem captures that feeling perfectly.
Another theme of the poem is the theme of beauty and wonder. The Arctic landscape is portrayed as a place of extreme beauty and wonder. The use of vivid imagery and descriptive language creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. The final line of the poem, "Oh starry starry night! This is how I want to die," is a powerful statement that captures the beauty and wonder of the Arctic landscape. The theme of beauty and wonder is a reminder that there is beauty in the world, even in the most unlikely of places.
The use of symbolism in "90 North" is also significant. The Arctic landscape is a symbol of the human spirit and the resilience of the human soul. The harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Arctic represents the challenges and obstacles that we all face in life. The speaker's journey to the North Pole represents the journey that we all take in life, a journey that is often difficult and treacherous. The stars in the final stanza are a symbol of hope and inspiration. They represent the beauty and wonder of the world and remind us that there is always something to strive for.
In conclusion, "90 North" by Randall Jarrell is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the human spirit and the beauty of nature. The poem explores themes of isolation and loneliness, beauty and wonder, and resilience and hope. The use of vivid imagery, descriptive language, and symbolism creates a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience. This poem is a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, there is beauty and wonder to be found.
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