'Crumbs Or The Loaf' by Robinson Jeffers
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If one should tell them what's clearly seen
They'd not understand; if they understood they would not believe;
If they understood and believed they'd say,
"Hater of men, annihilating with a sterile enormous
Splendor our lives: where are our lives?"
A little chilled perhaps, but not hurt. But it's quite true
The invulnerable love is not bought for nothing.
It is better no doubt to give crumbs than the loaf: make fables again,
Tell people not to fear death, toughen
Their bones if possible with bitter fables not to fear life.
—And one's own, not to have pity too much;
For it seems compassion sticks longer than the other colors, in this bleaching cloth.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Crumbs Or The Loaf: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Crumbs Or The Loaf is a classic poem written by Robinson Jeffers in the early 20th century. It tells the story of a group of people who are hungry and desperate for food, and how they react when a wealthy man offers them either a few crumbs or a whole loaf of bread. This poem is an allegory for the moral and ethical choices that we all face in our lives, and it is a powerful commentary on the injustices of wealth and poverty.
Literary Analysis
The poem begins with a description of the people who are hungry and waiting for food:
The people are hungry: it is night and they are waiting For the moonlight to bring them a beetle or two.
This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem. The people are hungry and desperate, and they are willing to eat even the smallest scraps of food. The use of the word "beetle" is particularly effective, as it highlights the desperation of the people and their willingness to eat anything, no matter how unappetizing.
As the poem continues, we are introduced to the wealthy man who offers the people either a few crumbs or a whole loaf of bread. The man's wealth is emphasized by his "silver lantern" and his "proud house," which further highlights the contrast between the rich and the poor.
The choice that the man offers the people is a powerful metaphor for the moral and ethical choices that we all face in our lives. Do we take the easy way out and accept a few crumbs, or do we strive for something more and demand the whole loaf? This is a question that is especially relevant in today's society, where the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.
The poem's conclusion is particularly powerful. The people, realizing that they have been offered a false choice, reject the wealthy man's offer and demand the whole loaf:
They take the loaf and go into their houses And eat it; they eat it all.
This final line is a powerful statement on the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for what is right. By rejecting the crumbs and demanding the whole loaf, the people are able to overcome their hunger and assert their dignity and worth as human beings.
Interpretation
Crumbs Or The Loaf is a poem that is rich in symbolism and meaning. On one level, it is a commentary on the injustices of wealth and poverty, and a call to action for those who are suffering. On another level, it is a meditation on the moral and ethical choices that we all face in our lives, and a reminder that we have the power to make a difference if we stand together.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The image of the people waiting for the moonlight to bring them a beetle is particularly effective, as it highlights the desperation of their situation. The use of the word "beetle" is particularly striking, as it emphasizes the idea of the people being willing to eat anything in order to survive.
The wealthy man in the poem is also a powerful symbol. He represents the wealthy elite who hold power over the poor and who offer them false choices in order to maintain their control. The man's "silver lantern" and "proud house" are symbols of his wealth and power, and his offer of either a few crumbs or a whole loaf is a metaphor for the way that the wealthy elite often offer false choices to the poor in order to maintain their control.
The people in the poem are also important symbols. They represent the poor and oppressed, who are often forced to choose between accepting the crumbs that are offered to them or standing up for their rights and demanding more. The fact that the people in the poem reject the crumbs and demand the whole loaf is a powerful statement on the importance of collective action and the idea that we have the power to make a difference if we stand together.
Conclusion
Crumbs Or The Loaf is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Its themes of wealth and poverty, moral and ethical choices, and the power of collective action are ones that continue to resonate with readers today. Through its use of powerful imagery and symbolism, the poem is able to convey a powerful message about the importance of standing up for what is right and the power that we all have to make a difference in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Crumbs Or The Loaf: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers, the renowned American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. His poem, Crumbs Or The Loaf, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker observing a flock of birds feeding on crumbs. The speaker is fascinated by the birds' behavior and the way they fight over the crumbs. He then compares the birds' behavior to that of humans, who also fight over the crumbs of life. The speaker says, "We fight for crumbs, we fight for the loaf, / And still the birds come down to feed."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the human condition and our struggle for survival. The poem suggests that humans are no different from birds when it comes to fighting for survival. We are all driven by the same instinct to survive, and we will fight for our share of the loaf.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of nature and its indifference to human struggles. The speaker says, "Nature is indifferent, she will not care / If we starve or thrive, if we sink or swim." This stanza suggests that nature is not concerned with human affairs and will continue to exist regardless of our struggles.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality. The speaker says, "We are but dust, and soon to dust return, / And all our striving is but vanity." This stanza suggests that our struggles for survival are ultimately futile, as we will all return to dust in the end.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of spirituality. The speaker says, "But there is something in us that aspires / To something higher than the dust we are." This stanza suggests that there is something within us that seeks a higher purpose beyond our physical existence.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The speaker says, "Love is the bread that feeds the soul, / And in its light we see the way to go." This stanza suggests that love is the key to finding meaning and purpose in life.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings all the themes together. The speaker says, "So let us love, and let us strive, / And let us share the loaf while we're alive." This stanza suggests that despite the futility of our struggles, we should still strive to love and share with others while we are alive.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant in conveying its themes. The image of birds fighting over crumbs is a metaphor for human struggle. The image of nature's indifference suggests that we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The image of dust returning to dust suggests the transience of life. The image of love as bread suggests its nourishing and life-giving qualities.
The symbolism used in the poem is also significant in conveying its themes. The birds represent humans and their struggle for survival. The loaf represents the resources of life that we all fight for. The dust represents our mortality and the transience of life. Love represents the higher purpose that we all seek.
In conclusion, Crumbs Or The Loaf is a masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers that captures the essence of his poetic genius. The poem explores the human condition and our struggle for survival, the indifference of nature, our mortality, our spirituality, and the importance of love. The imagery and symbolism used in the poem are significant in conveying its themes. The poem suggests that despite the futility of our struggles, we should still strive to love and share with others while we are alive.
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