'Blight' by Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Give me truths,
For I am weary of the surfaces,
And die of inanition. If I knew
Only the herbs and simples of the wood,
Rue, cinquefoil, gill, vervain, and pimpernel,
Blue-vetch, and trillium, hawkweed, sassafras,
Milkweeds, and murky brakes, quaint pipes and sundew,
And rare and virtuous roots, which in these woods
Draw untold juices from the common earth,
Untold, unknown, and I could surely spell
Their fragrance, and their chemistry apply
By sweet affinities to human flesh,
Driving the foe and stablishing the friend,-
O that were much, and I could be a part
Of the round day, related to the sun,
And planted world, and full executor
Of their imperfect functions.But these young scholars who invade our hills,
Bold as the engineer who fells the wood,
And travelling often in the cut he makes,
Love not the flower they pluck, and know it not,
And all their botany is Latin names.
The old men studied magic in the flower,
And human fortunes in astronomy,
And an omnipotence in chemistry,
Preferring things to names, for these were men,
Were unitarians of the united world,
And wheresoever their clear eyebeams fell,
They caught the footsteps of the SAME. Our eyes
Are armed, but we are strangers to the stars,
And strangers to the mystic beast and bird,
And strangers to the plant and to the mine;
The injured elements say, Not in us;
And night and day, ocean and continent,
Fire, plant, and mineral say, Not in us,
And haughtily return us stare for stare.
For we invade them impiously for gain,
We devastate them unreligiously,
And coldly ask their pottage, not their love,
Therefore they shove us from them, yield to us
Only what to our griping toil is due;
But the sweet affluence of love and song,
The rich results of the divine consents
Of man and earth, of world beloved and lover,
The nectar and ambrosia are withheld;
And in the midst of spoils and slaves, we thieves
And pirates of the universe, shut out
Daily to a more thin and outward rind,
Turn pale and starve. Therefore to our sick eyes,
The stunted trees look sick, the summer short,
Clouds shade the sun, which will not tan our hay.
And nothing thrives to reach its natural term,
And life, shorn of its venerable length,
Even at its greatest space, is a defeat,
And dies in anger that it was a dupe,
And, in its highest noon and wantonness,
Is early frugal like a beggar's child:
With most unhandsome calculation taught,
Even in the hot pursuit of the best aims
And prizes of ambition, checks its hand,
Like Alpine cataracts, frozen as they leaped,
Chilled with a miserly comparison
Of the toy's purchase with the length of life.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Blight: A Critical Analysis

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Blight" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that delves deep into the complexities of human nature. The poem reflects on the inherent imperfection of the world, and the existential angst that arises from contemplating the possibility of a world without blight. In this essay, we will explore the themes, literary techniques, and historical context of "Blight," and offer an interpretation of the poem that sheds light on its enduring relevance.

Historical Context

Emerson was a prominent figure in the Transcendentalist movement, which emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and rationality. Transcendentalists believed that there was a higher truth that transcended empirical observation and logical deduction, and that this truth could be accessed through intuition and spiritual insight. Emerson's writings, which include essays, lectures, and poetry, reflect this philosophy and are characterized by an emphasis on individualism, self-reliance, and a rejection of conventional religious and social norms.

"Blight" was published in 1862, in the midst of the American Civil War. The war was a time of great turmoil and uncertainty, as the country was torn apart by conflicting ideologies and loyalties. Many of Emerson's contemporaries, including Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, wrote poetry that reflected the social and political upheaval of the time. "Blight," however, is a more introspective and philosophical work that speaks to the existential concerns of the individual rather than the collective.

Themes

At its core, "Blight" is a meditation on the imperfection of the world and the human condition. The poem opens with a vivid depiction of a world without blight, where "all the air is still and keen/ And soars the sun/The leaves hang broad, and soft, and green/ In the woods at noon." This idyllic scene is quickly disrupted by the arrival of a blight, which destroys the beauty and harmony of the natural world. The blight is described as a "darkness" that "o'er the summer's day/ Creeps, leaving cold the sky." It is a metaphor for the suffering and pain that exist in the world, and the sense of hopelessness that arises from the realization that these things cannot be eradicated.

The poem goes on to explore the various ways in which human beings react to the blight. Some "bend the knee to wood and stone/ And worship vile things." Others "grip the earth with brutish clutch/ And grovel in the dirt." These are the people who succumb to the despair that the blight engenders, and lose sight of the beauty and goodness that still exist in the world. However, there are also those who "look for aid/ To higher natures." These are the people who, through their own individual efforts, seek to transcend the limitations of the world and find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

Literary Techniques

One of the most striking features of "Blight" is its use of imagery. Emerson paints a vivid picture of the natural world, using sensory details to create a sense of both beauty and menace. The blight is described as a "blackness" that "creeps," suggesting a slow and insidious decay that is difficult to stop. The contrast between the idyllic opening scene and the blighted landscape that follows is stark, and serves to accentuate the sense of loss and despair that permeates the poem.

Another notable technique that Emerson employs is the use of repetition. The phrase "I too have felt the load" is repeated several times throughout the poem, serving as a refrain that underscores the universality of the human experience. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of momentum and urgency, driving the poem forward and emphasizing the importance of the themes that it explores.

Finally, "Blight" is notable for its use of metaphor. The blight is not simply a physical phenomenon, but a symbol for the suffering and pain that exist in the world. Similarly, the people who "worship vile things" and "grovel in the dirt" are not just primitive or foolish, but representative of the ways in which we as humans can become trapped in our own despair and hopelessness. These metaphors serve to deepen the significance of the poem, making it more than just a simple reflection on the imperfection of the world.

Interpretation

At its core, "Blight" is a poem about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is imperfect and often cruel. The blight represents the various challenges and tragedies that we all must face in our lives, whether it be illness, loss, or betrayal. The poem suggests that our response to these challenges is what ultimately defines us as human beings. Those who succumb to the despair that the blight engenders are condemned to a life of misery and hopelessness. However, those who "look for aid/ To higher natures" are able to transcend their circumstances and find meaning and purpose in even the darkest of times.

In many ways, "Blight" is a call to action. It suggests that we must take responsibility for our own lives and seek out the things that bring us joy, meaning, and purpose. It is not enough to simply accept the world as it is, with all its flaws and imperfections. Instead, we must actively work to create a better world, one that is defined by love, compassion, and a commitment to justice.

In conclusion, "Blight" is a powerful and enduring work that speaks to the fundamental questions of the human experience. Through its vivid imagery, repetition, and use of metaphor, the poem explores the complexities of the world and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity. It is a call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our own lives and work to create a better world for ourselves and those around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Poetry Blight" is a classic poem that explores the idea of the decline of poetry in society. This poem is a powerful commentary on the state of poetry in the modern world and the impact it has on society as a whole. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a powerful statement, "The poet cannot see." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the poet is blind to the world around them. This blindness is not physical but rather a metaphorical blindness that prevents the poet from seeing the beauty and truth in the world. The poet is unable to see the world as it truly is, and this is the root of the problem.

Emerson goes on to describe the state of poetry in the modern world, saying that it has been "blighted." This blight is a metaphor for the decline of poetry in society. Emerson suggests that poetry has lost its power and influence, and that it is no longer able to inspire and move people in the way that it once did. This decline is a result of the poet's blindness, as they are unable to see the world as it truly is and therefore unable to capture its beauty and truth in their poetry.

Emerson uses powerful imagery throughout the poem to convey his message. He describes the poet as a "pale, sad, spectre," suggesting that the poet is a ghostly figure, disconnected from the world around them. This image is reinforced by the description of the poet's "dim eyes," which suggests that they are unable to see the world clearly. The image of the blight is also powerful, as it suggests that poetry has been infected by a disease that is slowly killing it.

Emerson also uses language to convey his message. He describes the poet's blindness as a "veil," suggesting that it is something that is covering their eyes and preventing them from seeing the world clearly. This language is powerful because it suggests that the poet's blindness is not something that is inherent in them but rather something that can be removed. If the poet can remove the veil, they will be able to see the world as it truly is and capture its beauty and truth in their poetry.

The poem ends with a call to action, as Emerson urges the poet to "remove the veil." This call to action is a powerful message, as it suggests that the poet has the power to change the state of poetry in society. If the poet can remove the veil and see the world as it truly is, they will be able to capture its beauty and truth in their poetry and inspire and move people in the way that poetry once did.

In conclusion, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Poetry Blight" is a powerful commentary on the state of poetry in the modern world. Through his use of imagery and language, Emerson suggests that poetry has lost its power and influence because the poet is blind to the world around them. However, he also suggests that the poet has the power to change this state of affairs by removing the veil and seeing the world as it truly is. This poem is a powerful call to action for poets to reconnect with the world around them and capture its beauty and truth in their poetry.

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