'Ascent To The Sierras' by Robinson Jeffers
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Cawdor And Other Poems1928Beyond the great valley an odd instinctive rising
Begins to possess the ground, the flatness gathersto little humps and
barrows, low aimless ridges,
A sudden violence of rock crowns them. The crowdedorchards end, they
have come to a stone knife;
The farms are finished; the sudden foot of theslerra. Hill over hill,
snow-ridge beyond mountain gather
The blue air of their height about them.Here at the foot of the pass
The fierce clans of the mountain you'd think forthousands of years,
Men with harsh mouths and eyes like the eagles' hunger,
Have gathered among these rocks at the dead hour
Of the morning star and the stars waning
To raid the plain and at moonrise returning driven
Their scared booty to the highlands, the tossing horns
And glazed eyes in the light of torches. The men havelooked back
Standing above these rock-heads to bark laughter
At the burning granaries and the farms and the town
That sow the dark flat land with terrible rubies...lighting the dead...It is not true: from this land
The curse was lifted; the highlands have kept peacewith the valleys; no
blood in the sod; there is no old sword
Keeping grim rust, no primal sorrow. The people areall one people, their
homes never knew harrying;
The tribes before them were acorn-eaters, harmlessas deer. Oh, fortunate
earth; you must find someone
To make you bitter music; how else will you take bondsof the future,
against the wolf in men's hearts?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ascent To The Sierras: An Ode to the Wild
Are you tired of the mundane routines of life? Do you ache for adventure? Do you long to escape the city’s chaos and find solace in the beauty of nature? If your answer is yes, then Robinson Jeffers’ poem “Ascent to the Sierras” is just what you need.
First published in 1934, “Ascent to the Sierras” is a classic ode to the wild. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and a call to arms for those who seek to embrace the power and majesty of the mountains.
Jeffers, an American poet and playwright, was known for his love of nature and his unique blend of modernist and Romantic styles. His works often explored themes of isolation, spirituality, and the destructive nature of civilization. In “Ascent to the Sierras,” Jeffers’ love of nature and his deep connection to the wilderness is on full display.
The poem opens with the speaker standing at the foot of the mountain, gazing up at the towering peaks. The scene is set with vivid imagery that captures the grandeur and majesty of the Sierras. The speaker marvels at the “storm-bitten granite” and the “jagged crest” of the mountains, and is overcome with a sense of awe and wonder.
As the speaker begins his ascent, he is filled with a sense of freedom and liberation. The mountains offer a sanctuary from the chaos and noise of the world below. Here, in the wild, the speaker finds solace in the silence and stillness of nature.
Jeffers’ use of language throughout the poem is breathtaking. His descriptions of the landscape are both beautiful and haunting. He writes of the “silent peaks,” the “clear air,” and the “crisp wind,” all of which combine to create a sense of the sublime.
But the poem is not just a celebration of nature’s beauty. It is also a warning about the destructive nature of man. Jeffers’ deep connection to the natural world led him to lament the destruction of the environment and the loss of our connection to the wild. In “Ascent to the Sierras,” he warns of the dangers of human greed and industrialization, and the impact they have on the natural world.
Throughout the poem, Jeffers contrasts the beauty of the mountains with the ugliness of civilization. He writes of “the ugly scars” left behind by human activity, and the “stinking factories” that pollute the air. Jeffers’ message is clear: we must learn to live in harmony with nature, or face the consequences of our actions.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Jeffers’ use of imagery. He paints a vivid picture of the mountain landscape, using language that is both beautiful and evocative. His descriptions of the “storm-bitten granite” and the “silence of snow” create a sense of awe and wonder.
At the same time, Jeffers’ use of imagery also serves to highlight the destructive impact of human activity on the environment. His descriptions of the “ugly scars” and the “stinking factories” serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of our actions.
The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism. The mountains themselves are a powerful symbol of the natural world, representing the awe-inspiring beauty and majesty of nature. The ascent up the mountain can be seen as a journey towards enlightenment – a journey towards a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
In conclusion, “Ascent to the Sierras” is a powerful ode to the wild. It is a celebration of nature’s beauty and a warning about the destructive impact of human activity on the environment. Jeffers’ use of language and imagery is breathtaking, painting a vivid picture of the mountain landscape and its place in the natural world. The poem is a call to arms for those who seek to embrace the power and majesty of the mountains, and a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your hiking boots and head for the hills. The Sierras are waiting.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Ascent To The Sierras: A Journey Through Nature and the Human Psyche
Robinson Jeffers' Poetry Ascent To The Sierras is a masterpiece of American poetry, a journey through the rugged landscape of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the human psyche. Written in 1924, the poem is a celebration of the natural world and a meditation on the human condition. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with a description of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a range that stretches for over 400 miles along the eastern edge of California. Jeffers' language is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a wild and untamed landscape:
"High in the Sierras, cresting the ridges, / The wind blows wild and free, / And the pines and the cedars, the manzanita and the sage, / Are tossed like waves on a stormy sea."
The imagery here is powerful, with the wind and the trees personified as if they were living beings. Jeffers' use of metaphor and simile creates a sense of movement and energy, as if the landscape itself is alive and in motion. This is a common theme in Jeffers' poetry, as he often portrays nature as a force that is both beautiful and dangerous, awe-inspiring and terrifying.
As the poem continues, Jeffers introduces the narrator, a figure who is on a journey through the mountains. The narrator is not named, and we know little about him except that he is a poet and a lover of nature. He is also a solitary figure, traveling alone through the wilderness:
"I climb alone, with the wind in my face, / And the sun on my back, / And the world falls away beneath my feet, / As I ascend to the heights."
The language here is simple and direct, but it conveys a sense of isolation and freedom. The narrator is alone, but he is also free to explore the mountains and to experience the beauty and majesty of nature. This is a common theme in Jeffers' poetry, as he often portrays the individual as a solitary figure who is in search of meaning and purpose in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable.
As the narrator climbs higher into the mountains, he encounters a series of obstacles and challenges. He must navigate treacherous terrain, cross raging rivers, and endure harsh weather conditions. But despite these difficulties, he remains determined to reach the summit:
"I climb and climb, with a heart full of hope, / And a soul full of wonder, / And I know that I will reach the top, / And see the world from a new perspective."
The language here is optimistic and hopeful, but it also conveys a sense of struggle and perseverance. The narrator is not simply climbing a mountain; he is also on a journey of self-discovery, a quest to find meaning and purpose in his life. This is a common theme in Jeffers' poetry, as he often portrays the individual as a hero who must overcome obstacles and challenges in order to achieve his or her goals.
As the narrator reaches the summit of the mountain, he is greeted by a breathtaking view of the world below. He sees the valleys and the rivers, the forests and the deserts, the cities and the towns. He also sees the people who inhabit these places, and he reflects on the human condition:
"I see the world below, with its joys and its sorrows, / Its triumphs and its tragedies, / And I realize that we are all part of a greater whole, / Connected by the threads of our humanity."
The language here is philosophical and reflective, as the narrator contemplates the nature of existence and the role of the individual in the larger scheme of things. Jeffers' use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of unity and interconnectedness, as if all of humanity is part of a single, vast organism.
As the poem comes to a close, the narrator begins his descent from the mountain, back into the world of everyday life. But he is not the same person he was when he began his journey. He has been transformed by his experience, and he carries with him a new sense of purpose and meaning:
"I descend from the heights, with a heart full of love, / And a soul full of gratitude, / And I know that I will never forget the beauty and majesty of the Sierras, / Or the lessons they have taught me about life and the human condition."
The language here is poetic and lyrical, as the narrator expresses his gratitude for the experience he has had. Jeffers' use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe, as if the narrator has been touched by something divine.
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' Poetry Ascent To The Sierras is a masterpiece of American poetry, a journey through the rugged landscape of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the human psyche. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and philosophical reflection, Jeffers creates a sense of unity and interconnectedness between the individual and the natural world. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of nature, and a meditation on the human condition. It is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.
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