'Dark Stag, The' by Isabella Valancy Crawford
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1A startled stag, the blue-grey Night,
2Leaps down beyond black pines.
3Behind--a length of yellow light--
4The hunter's arrow shines:
5His moccasins are stained with red,
6He bends upon his knee,
7From covering peaks his shafts are sped,
8The blue mists plume his mighty head,--
9Well may the swift Night flee!
10The pale, pale Moon, a snow-white doe,
11Bounds by his dappled flank:
12They beat the stars down as they go,
13Like wood-bells growing rank.
14The winds lift dewlaps from the ground,
15Leap from the quaking reeds;
16Their hoarse bays shake the forests round,
17With keen cries on the track they bound,--
18Swift, swift the dark stag speeds!
19Away! his white doe, far behind,
20Lies wounded on the plain;
21Yells at his flank the nimblest wind,
22His large tears fall in rain;
23Like lily-pads, small clouds grow white
24About his darkling way;
25From his bald nest upon the height
26The red-eyed eagle sees his flight;
27He falters, turns, the antlered Night,--
28The dark stag stands at bay!
29His feet are in the waves of space;
30His antlers broad and dun
31He lowers; he turns his velvet face
32To front the hunter, Sun;
33He stamps the lilied clouds, and high
34His branches fill the west.
35The lean stork sails across the sky,
36The shy loon shrieks to see him die,
37The winds leap at his breast.
38Roar the rent lakes as thro' the wave
39Their silver warriors plunge,
40As vaults from core of crystal cave
41The strong, fierce muskallunge;
42Red torches of the sumach glare,
43Fall's council-fires are lit;
44The bittern, squaw-like, scolds the air;
45The wild duck splashes loudly where
46The rustling rice-spears knit.
47Shaft after shaft the red Sun speeds:
48Rent the stag's dappled side,
49His breast, fanged by the shrill winds, bleeds,
50He staggers on the tide;
51He feels the hungry waves of space
52Rush at him high and blue;
53Their white spray smites his dusky face,
54Swifter the Sun's fierce arrows race
55And pierce his stout heart thro'.
56His antlers fall; once more he spurns
57The hoarse hounds of the day;
58His blood upon the crisp blue burns,
59Reddens the mounting spray;
60His branches smite the wave--with cries
61The loud winds pause and flag--
62He sinks in space--red glow the skies,
63The brown earth crimsons as he dies,
64The strong and dusky stag.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Oh, Dark Stag, how do I begin to describe the intense emotions that this poem evokes within me? The poetic artistry of Isabella Valancy Crawford is truly unparalleled, and in this literary masterpiece, she has captured the essence of the human experience in a way that is both raw and beautiful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the themes and imagery within Dark Stag and explore the ways in which Crawford's words challenge and enlighten the reader.
Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Isabella Valancy Crawford was a Canadian poet who lived during the mid-to-late 19th century. She was a contemporary of other famous poets such as Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, but unfortunately, she did not receive the same level of recognition during her lifetime. However, her work has since been rediscovered and celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and unique perspective.
Themes
One of the most striking themes in Dark Stag is the idea of inner turmoil and conflict. Crawford portrays this through the imagery of the dark stag, which is described as "a thing of fright, of flight, of flame, / Of joy, of agony, of shame." This creature represents the duality of human nature and the struggles that we face within ourselves. We all have a dark side that we must confront, and this poem speaks to the difficulty of that process.
Another theme that is woven throughout Dark Stag is the idea of nature and the wild. Crawford uses vivid imagery to depict the forest and the animals that inhabit it, creating a sense of awe and wonder. This serves as a powerful contrast to the darkness of the human psyche, reminding us of the beauty and simplicity of the natural world.
Finally, the theme of death is also present in Dark Stag. Crawford describes the "silent, stealthy, spectral ranks" of the dead who are watching from the shadows. This suggests that death is always lurking in the background, and that we are constantly aware of our own mortality. This creates a sense of urgency in the poem, as if the speaker is desperately trying to come to terms with their own mortality before it's too late.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of Dark Stag is the vivid imagery that Crawford uses throughout the poem. She paints a picture of the forest that is both beautiful and haunting, using language that is both poetic and precise. For example, she describes the "o'er-arching roof of leafy shade" that creates a sense of enclosure, while also using words like "still" and "silent" to convey a sense of foreboding.
The dark stag itself is also a powerful image, representing the inner turmoil and conflict that we all face. Crawford describes it as having "a wild heart thudding loud and fast", which is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of our own emotions. The animal's movements are also described in great detail, creating a sense of urgency and desperation.
Interpretation
So what does all of this imagery and symbolism mean? At its core, Dark Stag is a poem about the human experience. It speaks to the struggles that we all face within ourselves, and the difficulty of coming to terms with our own mortality. The dark stag represents the darker aspects of human nature that we must confront, while the natural imagery serves as a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of the world around us.
The poem also suggests that there is a sense of urgency to this process. The "silent, stealthy, spectral ranks" of the dead serve as a constant reminder that our time on this earth is limited, and that we must come to terms with our own mortality before it's too late.
Overall, Dark Stag is a masterpiece of poetic artistry. Isabella Valancy Crawford has created a powerful and evocative work of literature that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both raw and beautiful. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend picking up a copy and experiencing its beauty for yourself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dark Stag, The is a classic poem written by Isabella Valancy Crawford, a Canadian poet who lived in the 19th century. The poem is a beautiful and haunting piece of literature that explores the themes of nature, death, and the supernatural. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a dark and eerie forest. The speaker describes the trees as "gnarled and twisted" and the air as "heavy with the scent of death." The forest is a symbol of the unknown and the mysterious, a place where anything can happen. The speaker then introduces the titular character, the Dark Stag, who is described as a "phantom of the wood."
The Dark Stag is a powerful and mysterious creature that represents the forces of nature. The speaker describes the stag as "black as night" and "swift as the wind." The Dark Stag is a symbol of the wild and untamed aspects of nature, the parts that are beyond human control. The speaker also describes the stag as "lord of the forest," suggesting that it is a powerful and dominant force in the natural world.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the Dark Stag's movements through the forest. The stag is described as moving "with a soundless tread" and "leaping from crag to crag." The speaker's use of imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the Dark Stag is a supernatural being that is beyond human comprehension.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes the Dark Stag's hunt. The stag is described as "cruel and fierce" and its prey as "bleeding and torn." The hunt is a symbol of the cycle of life and death in nature, where the strong survive and the weak perish. The speaker's use of language creates a sense of violence and brutality, as if the Dark Stag is a merciless predator that will stop at nothing to survive.
The poem then shifts focus to the speaker's own mortality. The speaker describes themselves as a "weary wanderer" who is "faint and worn." The speaker's use of language creates a sense of vulnerability and fragility, as if they are at the mercy of the Dark Stag and the forces of nature. The speaker then asks the Dark Stag to spare them, saying "Oh, spare me, Dark Stag, spare me!"
The poem ends with the Dark Stag disappearing into the forest, leaving the speaker alone and vulnerable. The speaker is left to contemplate their own mortality and the power of the natural world. The poem's final lines, "And the Dark Stag is lord of the wood, / And I am alone with my fear," suggest that the speaker has come to accept their place in the natural world and the inevitability of their own death.
In conclusion, Dark Stag, The is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of nature, death, and the supernatural. Isabella Valancy Crawford's use of language and imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a sense of violence and brutality. The Dark Stag is a symbol of the wild and untamed aspects of nature, while the speaker represents human vulnerability and mortality. The poem's final lines suggest that the speaker has come to accept their place in the natural world and the inevitability of their own death. Dark Stag, The is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power and mystery of the natural world.
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