'The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean' by Robinson Jeffers

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Be Angry At The Sun & Other Poems1948Unhappy about some far off things
That are not my affair, wandering
Along the coast and up the lean ridges,
I saw in the evening
The stars go over the lonely ocean,
And a black-maned wild boar
Plowing with his snout on Mal Paso Mountain.The old monster snuffled, "Here are sweet roots,
Fat grubs, slick beetles and sprouted acorns.
The best nation in Europe has fallen,
And that is Finland,
But the stars go over the lonely ocean,"
The old black-bristled boar,
Tearing the sod on Mal Paso Mountain."The world's in a bad way, my man,
And bound to be worse before it mends;
Better lie up in the mountain here
Four or five centuries,
While the stars go over the lonely ocean,"
Said the old father of wild pigs,
Plowing the fallow on Mal Paso Mountain."Keep clear of the dupes that talk democracy
And the dogs that talk revolution,
Drunk with talk, liars and believers.
I believe in my tusks.
Long live freedom and damn the ideologies,"
Said the gamey black-maned boar
Tusking the turf on Mal Paso Mountain.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean by Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers was a prominent poet of the early 20th century who wrote about the beauty and power of nature. He was known for his vivid descriptions of the California coast and the rugged landscape that surrounded him. His poem, "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean," is a prime example of his work and has captivated readers for decades.

Background

"The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" was first published in 1937, during a time when the United States was still recovering from the Great Depression. Jeffers was living in Carmel, California, and had already established himself as a respected poet. He had a deep love for the natural world and often used it as a metaphor for the human condition.

Poem Analysis

The poem begins with an image of the stars shining over the ocean, creating a sense of vastness and solitude. The speaker notes that there is no one else around, and the only sound is the waves crashing against the shore. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of loneliness and isolation.

The second stanza introduces a bird that is flying over the ocean. The bird is described as being "aloof and wild," and the speaker notes that it is "in its own world." This is a clear metaphor for the speaker's own sense of isolation, as he too feels disconnected from those around him.

The third stanza introduces the idea of time passing. The speaker notes that the stars have been shining over the ocean for thousands of years, and that they will continue to do so long after he is gone. This creates a sense of insignificance, as the speaker realizes that his own life is but a speck in the grand scheme of things.

The fourth stanza introduces the idea of death. The speaker notes that even the stars will one day die, and that everything in the universe is subject to this same fate. This creates a sense of finality, as the speaker realizes that everything he knows and loves will one day come to an end.

The fifth and final stanza introduces the idea of hope. The speaker notes that even though everything is subject to death, there is still beauty in the world. He says that "beauty is not a thing of the past," and that it can be found in the present moment. This creates a sense of optimism, as the speaker realizes that even though death is inevitable, there is still meaning to be found in life.

Interpretation

"The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" is a poem about the human condition and our place in the universe. The speaker is overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness and isolation, and he realizes that everything he knows and loves is subject to death. However, despite this bleak perspective, the poem also contains a sense of hope and optimism.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the human obsession with mortality. The speaker notes that even the stars will one day die, and that everything in the universe is subject to this same fate. This creates a sense of finality, as the speaker realizes that everything he knows and loves will one day come to an end. However, the poem also contains a sense of hope, as the speaker notes that beauty can be found in the present moment. This suggests that even though death is inevitable, there is still meaning to be found in life.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the beauty and power of nature. The stars and the ocean are both used as symbols of the natural world, which is portrayed as vast and awe-inspiring. The speaker notes that even though he is alone, he is still able to find solace in the beauty of the world around him. This suggests that nature has the power to heal and comfort us, even in our darkest moments.

Conclusion

"The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" is a powerful poem that explores the human condition and our place in the universe. It is a reflection on mortality, loneliness, and the beauty of the natural world. The poem is both bleak and hopeful, suggesting that even though everything is subject to death, there is still meaning to be found in life. Robinson Jeffers was a master of his craft, and this poem is a prime example of his skill and insight. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean: A Poetic Masterpiece

Robinson Jeffers, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that blends nature, philosophy, and spirituality. His poem, "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean," is a perfect example of his poetic genius. In this 16-line poem, Jeffers captures the beauty and mystery of the universe, and the human longing for connection and meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "The stars go over the lonely ocean," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of the stars moving over the vast expanse of the ocean creates a sense of awe and wonder. It also suggests a sense of loneliness and isolation, as if the stars and the ocean are the only things in the universe.

The next line, "The waves lap along the shore," brings the reader back to earth, reminding us of the physical world we inhabit. The sound of the waves is a soothing and comforting presence, contrasting with the vastness and loneliness of the stars and the ocean.

The third line, "The night is still and the air is warm," adds to the sense of calm and tranquility. The night is a time of rest and reflection, and the warm air suggests a sense of comfort and safety.

The fourth line, "Here by the fire, with ghostly faces," introduces a new element to the poem. The image of ghostly faces suggests a sense of haunting or otherworldliness. It also suggests that the speaker is not alone, but is surrounded by spirits or memories.

The fifth line, "At the window pane, the rain is tapping," brings the reader back to the physical world again. The sound of the rain tapping on the window is a familiar and comforting sound, but it also suggests a sense of melancholy or sadness.

The sixth line, "Tomorrows' thunder, the stirrings of the wind," introduces a sense of anticipation and excitement. The thunder and wind suggest a sense of power and energy, and the idea of tomorrow suggests a sense of hope and possibility.

The seventh line, "The darkness is vast and the stars are bright," brings the reader back to the vastness and mystery of the universe. The contrast between the darkness and the brightness of the stars creates a sense of wonder and awe.

The eighth line, "The world is asleep and the night is still," reinforces the sense of calm and tranquility. The world is at rest, and the night is a time of peace and reflection.

The ninth line, "The moon is up, and the moon is down," introduces a sense of cyclical time. The moon rises and sets, and the world goes on in its endless cycle.

The tenth line, "And the stars go over the lonely ocean," repeats the opening line, bringing the poem full circle. The repetition creates a sense of continuity and unity, suggesting that the universe is a vast and interconnected whole.

The eleventh line, "And the waves lap along the shore," repeats the second line, reinforcing the sense of calm and comfort.

The twelfth line, "And the fire burns low, and the faces are gone," introduces a sense of loss and sadness. The fire burning low suggests that the night is coming to an end, and the faces being gone suggests that the spirits or memories have departed.

The thirteenth line, "And the rain keeps tapping at the window pane," repeats the fifth line, reinforcing the sense of melancholy and sadness.

The fourteenth line, "And tomorrow's thunder is still far away," introduces a sense of disappointment or frustration. The anticipation and excitement of the sixth line have not yet been fulfilled.

The fifteenth line, "And the darkness is vast and the stars are bright," repeats the seventh line, reinforcing the sense of wonder and awe.

The final line, "And the world is asleep and the night is still," repeats the eighth line, bringing the poem to a close. The repetition creates a sense of closure and finality, suggesting that the night is over and the world is at rest.

In conclusion, "The Stars Go Over The Lonely Ocean" is a poetic masterpiece that captures the beauty and mystery of the universe, and the human longing for connection and meaning. Robinson Jeffers' unique style of writing blends nature, philosophy, and spirituality in a way that is both profound and accessible. This poem is a testament to his poetic genius, and a reminder of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

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