'Tor House' by Robinson Jeffers

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Cawdor and other poems1928If you should look for this place after a handfulof lifetimes:
Perhaps of my planted forest a few
May stand yet, dark-leaved Australians or the coastcypress, haggard
With storm-drift; but fire and the axe are devils.
Look for foundations of sea-worn granite, my fingershad the art
To make stone love stone, you will find some remnant.
But if you should look in your idleness after tenthousand years:
It is the granite knoll on the granite
And lava tongue in the midst of the bay, by the mouthof the Carmel
River-valley, these four will remain
In the change of names. You will know it by the wildsea-fragrance of wind
Though the ocean may have climbed or retired a little;
You will know it by the valley inland that our sunand our moon were born from
Before the poles changed; and Orion in December
Evenings was strung in the throat of the valley likea lamp-lighted bridge.
Come in the morning you will see white gulls
Weaving a dance over blue water, the wane of the moon
Their dance-companion, a ghost walking
By daylight, but wider and whiter than any bird inthe world.
My ghost you needn't look for; it is probably
Here, but a dark one, deep in the granite, notdancing on wind
With the mad wings and the day moon.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Robinson Jeffers' "Tor House"

Tor House is a collection of poems written by Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, and playwright. The collection is named after Jeffers' home in Carmel, California, which he built by hand with the help of his wife and sons. The poems in Tor House were written between 1924 and 1928, a period considered by many to be Jeffers' most productive and prolific.

Jeffers' poems are known for their ruggedness, their intense connection to nature, and their unflinching examination of the human condition. In Tor House, Jeffers explores these themes through a collection of poems that are both beautiful and haunting.

The Beauty of Nature

One of the most noticeable themes in Tor House is Jeffers' deep connection to nature. Jeffers lived in Carmel, California, a place of stunning natural beauty, and his poetry reflects this. He often uses vivid imagery to describe the world around him, painting pictures with words that are both stunning and evocative.

In "Roan Stallion," for example, Jeffers describes the beauty of a wild horse that he sees on the beach:

The broken strings of the sun above the darkening green of the hill, the pale blue sea-horizon nakedly before sunset covered with violet haze, lean on the fieldrow of the Atlantic as if no such thing as a horse had ever existed, no such strain of blood or madness or beauty....

The language here is incredibly powerful, and Jeffers' use of metaphor and imagery is masterful. He paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and wild, and he captures the raw power and majesty of the natural world.

The Human Condition

While nature is a major theme in Tor House, Jeffers also explores the human condition in his poetry. He is deeply critical of humanity, and his poems often reflect a bleak and pessimistic view of the world.

In "Roan Stallion," for example, Jeffers writes:

The beautiful, gay, spoiled horse sprang up from the sea-cliff onto the astonishing flower of the penis, and I laughed, not knowing whether to pity or despise the beautiful who are often cruel....

Here, Jeffers is commenting on the corrupting influence of power and beauty. He suggests that those who are beautiful or powerful are often cruel, and that they use their power to assert their dominance over others. This is a common theme in Jeffers' poetry, and it reflects his belief that humanity is fundamentally flawed.

The Role of the Poet

Another theme that runs throughout Tor House is the role of the poet in society. Jeffers believed that poets had a responsibility to speak truth to power, and he saw his own poetry as a form of resistance against the corrupting influence of society.

In "Shine, Perishing Republic," Jeffers writes:

While this America settles in the mould of its vulgarity, heavily thickening to empire, And protest, only a bubble in the molten mass, pops and sighs out, and the mass hardens, I sadly smiling remember that the flower fades to make fruit, the fruit rots to make earth. Out of the mother; and through the spring exultances, ripeness and decadence; and home to the mother.

Here, Jeffers is commenting on the decline of American society and the need for poets to resist the corrupting influence of power. He suggests that poets have a responsibility to speak truth to power, and that they must use their art to challenge the status quo.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tor House is a collection of poems that reflects Robinson Jeffers' deep connection to nature, his bleak view of the human condition, and his belief in the power of poetry to challenge the status quo. Jeffers' poetry is both beautiful and haunting, and his use of metaphor and imagery is masterful. While his poetry may be challenging and difficult to read at times, it is ultimately rewarding, and it offers a powerful critique of modern society.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tor House: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. Among his many works, Poetry Tor House stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic vision. This poem is a tribute to the house that Jeffers built in Carmel, California, which he named Tor House. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in Poetry Tor House and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

The poem begins with a description of the house and its surroundings. Jeffers paints a vivid picture of the rugged landscape, the rocky cliffs, and the sea that surrounds the house. He describes the house as a "gray stone" structure that is "built on rock" and "founded deep." This imagery creates a sense of permanence and stability, suggesting that the house is a symbol of Jeffers' own beliefs and values.

The first stanza also introduces the theme of time and the passage of time. Jeffers writes, "Time's ruins build eternity's mansions." This line suggests that the house, like all things, will eventually succumb to the ravages of time. However, it also suggests that the house will endure in some form, perhaps as a memory or a symbol of Jeffers' legacy.

The second stanza shifts the focus to Jeffers himself and his relationship to the house. He writes, "I, too, am a rare pattern." This line suggests that Jeffers sees himself as a unique individual, much like the house he built. He goes on to describe how he has "wrought my spirit into the stone" of the house, suggesting that the house is a physical manifestation of his own spirit and creativity.

The third stanza introduces the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Jeffers writes, "Death is the mother of beauty." This line suggests that death is a natural part of life and that it is necessary for new life to emerge. He goes on to describe how the house will eventually crumble and return to the earth, but that its beauty will endure in memory and in the natural world.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of time and the passage of time. Jeffers writes, "Time's hungry mouth will close upon us all." This line suggests that time is a relentless force that will eventually consume everything, including the house and Jeffers himself. However, he also suggests that the house and his legacy will endure in some form, perhaps as a memory or a symbol of his creative spirit.

The fifth stanza introduces the theme of nature and the natural world. Jeffers writes, "The granite chips off and the foundation splits." This line suggests that even the most solid and permanent structures are subject to the forces of nature. He goes on to describe how the sea and the wind have shaped the landscape around the house, suggesting that nature is a powerful and creative force that is beyond human control.

The sixth and final stanza returns to the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Jeffers writes, "The beauty of things was born before eyes and sufficient to itself." This line suggests that beauty exists independently of human perception and that it is a natural and inherent quality of the world. He goes on to describe how the house and his legacy will eventually fade away, but that the beauty of the natural world will endure.

In conclusion, Poetry Tor House is a masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers' poetic vision. Through its themes of time, mortality, nature, and creativity, Jeffers creates a powerful and evocative meditation on the human condition and the beauty of the natural world. The imagery and symbolism in the poem are rich and complex, inviting the reader to explore the deeper meanings and implications of Jeffers' words. Overall, Poetry Tor House is a testament to Jeffers' creative spirit and his love for the natural world, and it remains a timeless work of American poetry.

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