'Sign-Post' by Robinson Jeffers

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Solstc & Other Poems1935Civilized, crying: how to be human again; this will tell you how.
Turn outward, love things, not men, turn right away from humanity,
Let that doll lie. Consider if you like how the lilies grow,
Lean on the silent rock until you feel its divinity
Make your veins cold; look at the silent stars, let your eyes
Climb the great ladder out of the pit of yourself and man.
Things are so beautiful, your love will follow your eyes;
Things are the God; you will love God and not in vain,
For what we love, we grow to it, we share its nature. At length
You will look back along the star's rays and see that even
The poor doll humanity has a place under heaven.
Its qualities repair their mosaic around you, the chips of strength
And sickness; but now you are free, even to be human,
But born of the rock and the air, not of a woman.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sign-Post by Robinson Jeffers: An Epic Poem of Nature and Humanity

Have you ever stood on a mountaintop and felt the power of nature? Have you ever gazed upon a vast expanse of ocean and felt the insignificance of humanity? Robinson Jeffers' epic poem "Sign-Post" captures these feelings and more in a breathtaking exploration of humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Background and Context

Robinson Jeffers was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1887 to 1962. He was known for his love of nature and his rejection of modern civilization, which he saw as a destructive force on the environment. "Sign-Post" was first published in 1931 as part of Jeffers' collection "Roan Stallion, Tamar and Other Poems."

At the time of its publication, "Sign-Post" was seen as a departure from Jeffers' previous work, which had focused on the beauty of nature and the mystical qualities of the natural world. "Sign-Post," by contrast, is a more overtly political poem that tackles issues of humanity's impact on the environment and the consequences of our actions.

Themes and Analysis

At its core, "Sign-Post" is a poem about humanity's relationship with nature. Jeffers portrays nature as a powerful force that is both beautiful and terrifying. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of natural landscapes, from the "peaks of granite" to the "tide-wrack and the shells."

But Jeffers also portrays nature as something that is indifferent to humanity. In the poem's opening lines, he writes:

The skies were sullen, the seas were rough,
And the cliffs roared with a muffled roar.

These lines suggest that nature is not concerned with human affairs. It is simply doing what it does, regardless of what humans are doing. This idea is reinforced later in the poem when Jeffers writes:

We have seen the gaunt rocks, the gaunt clouds,
The gaunt zenith and the gaunt sea,
Gaunt Sign-Posts of humanity.

Here, Jeffers is suggesting that humanity is insignificant in the face of nature. The "gaunt Sign-Posts" are symbols of humanity's attempts to assert itself on the natural world, but they are ultimately powerless in the face of nature's power.

One of the most striking aspects of "Sign-Post" is its use of imagery. Jeffers is a master of creating vivid, evocative images that capture the essence of his themes. Consider, for example, these lines:

Out of the living ocean a sign-post rose
And pointed inland to the wilderness.

Here, Jeffers is using the image of a sign-post to represent humanity's attempts to conquer and tame the natural world. But the sign-post is also a reminder of the vastness of the wilderness and the futility of humanity's attempts to control it.

Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "dead whale on the shore." This image is used to represent the consequences of humanity's actions on the environment. The dead whale is a reminder of the toll that our actions are taking on the natural world.

Interpretation

"Sign-Post" is a deeply philosophical poem that raises important questions about humanity's relationship with the natural world. At its core, the poem is a warning about the consequences of our actions. Jeffers is suggesting that we are not the masters of the universe, but rather a small part of a much larger ecosystem. If we continue to ignore the needs of the natural world, we will ultimately destroy ourselves.

But Jeffers is also suggesting that there is hope. The poem ends with these lines:

And we have looked for a sign, and the sign is,
The whales' flukes arching and the spray blown sideways
And the blue islands out in the distance
Are tranquil and without marred beauty.

Here, Jeffers is suggesting that there is still beauty and wonder in the natural world, and that if we pay attention to it, we can find hope and inspiration. The whales' flukes and the tranquil islands are symbols of the resilience of the natural world, and a reminder that there is still much to be protected and preserved.

Conclusion

"Sign-Post" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that raises important questions about humanity's relationship with the natural world. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Jeffers encourages us to consider our place in the ecosystem and to think about the consequences of our actions. But he also offers hope, suggesting that if we pay attention to the natural world, we can find inspiration and a reason to protect and preserve it. If you haven't read "Sign-Post" yet, I highly recommend taking the time to do so. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robinson Jeffers’ Poetry Sign-Post is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a masterpiece that is rich in imagery, symbolism, and metaphors. It is a poem that speaks to the soul and touches the heart. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the lines, “The people along the sand / All turn and look one way”. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The people along the sand are a metaphor for humanity. They are all looking in the same direction, which suggests that they are all seeking the same thing. This could be interpreted as a search for meaning, purpose, or happiness.

The next line reads, “They turn their back on the land”. This line is significant because it suggests that the people have turned away from their roots. They have forgotten where they came from and what they stand for. They have become disconnected from the land and the natural world. This is a common theme in Jeffers’ poetry, as he was a strong advocate for environmentalism.

The third line reads, “They look at the sea all day”. The sea is a powerful symbol in this poem. It represents the unknown, the infinite, and the eternal. The people are looking at the sea all day, which suggests that they are searching for something beyond themselves. They are seeking a connection to something greater than themselves.

The fourth line reads, “As long as it takes to say / ‘Sea, suck me away’”. This line is significant because it suggests that the people are willing to give themselves up to the sea. They are willing to be consumed by it, to be taken away by it. This could be interpreted as a desire for escape or a longing for something beyond the mundane.

The next stanza reads, “I wish I was the sloop / With only the jib and the sea”. This stanza is a contrast to the previous one. The speaker is expressing a desire to be free and unencumbered. The sloop with only the jib and the sea represents simplicity and freedom. The speaker wishes to be like the sloop, free to sail wherever the wind takes them.

The next stanza reads, “The sloop sailed, / Slowly, seaward, / With hardly a ripple or a wave”. This stanza is significant because it suggests that the sloop is at peace with the sea. It is moving slowly and steadily, without disturbance. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for inner peace and contentment.

The next stanza reads, “The breeze blew the wing of the gull / To come and rest beside me”. This stanza is significant because it suggests that the speaker is in harmony with nature. The gull is a symbol of freedom and the breeze is a symbol of change. The fact that the gull comes to rest beside the speaker suggests that they are in tune with the natural world.

The final stanza reads, “I wish I was the tramp / With the hobo’s bundle and stick”. This stanza is a contrast to the previous one. The speaker is expressing a desire to be free from material possessions. The tramp with the hobo’s bundle and stick represents simplicity and freedom from materialism. The speaker wishes to be like the tramp, free to wander wherever they please.

In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers’ Poetry Sign-Post is a masterpiece of literature that is rich in imagery, symbolism, and metaphors. It is a poem that speaks to the soul and touches the heart. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and our search for meaning, purpose, and happiness. It is a reminder that we are all connected to the natural world and that we should strive to live in harmony with it. The poem is a call to simplicity and freedom, a reminder that we should not be consumed by material possessions or the mundane. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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