'Discipline' by D.H. Lawrence


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It is stormy, and raindrops cling like silver bees to the pane,
The thin sycamores in the playground are swinging with flattened leaves;
The heads of the boys move dimly through a yellow gloom that stains
The class; over them all the dark net of my discipline weaves.

It is no good, dear, gentleness and forbearance, I endured too long:
I have pushed my hands in the dark soil, under the flower of my soul
And the gentle leaves, and have felt where the roots are strong
Fixed in the darkness, grappling for the deep soil's little control.

And there is the dark, my darling, where the roots are entangled and fight
Each one for its hold on the oblivious darkness, I know that there
In the night where we first have being, before we rise on the light,
We are not brothers, my darling, we fight and we do not spare.

And in the original dark the roots cannot keep, cannot know
Any communion whatever, but they bind themselves on to the dark,
And drawing the darkness together, crush from it a twilight, a slow
Burning that breaks at last into leaves and a flower's bright spark.

I came to the boys with love, my dear, but they turned on me;
I came with gentleness, with my heart 'twixt my hands like a bowl,
Like a loving-cup, like a grail, but they spilt it triumphantly
And tried to break the vessel, and to violate my soul.

But what have I to do with the boys, deep down in my soul, my love?
I throw from out of the darkness my self like a flower into sight,
Like a flower from out of the night-time, I lift my face, and those
Who will may warm their hands at me, comfort this night.

But whosoever would pluck apart my flowering shall burn their hands,
So flowers are tender folk, and roots can only hide,
Yet my flowerings of love are a fire, and the scarlet brands
Of my love are roses to look at, but flames to chide.

But comfort me, my love, now the fires are low,
Now I am broken to earth like a winter destroyed, and all
Myself but a knowledge of roots, of roots in the dark that throw
A net on the undersoil, which lies passive beneath their thrall.

But comfort me, for henceforth my love is yours alone,
To you alone will I offer the bowl, to you will I give
My essence only, but love me, and I will atone
To you for my general loving, atone as long as I live.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

Discipline by D.H. Lawrence: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

D.H. Lawrence is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his poem "Discipline" is a masterpiece that explores the theme of self-control and the struggle between instinct and reason. This poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that challenges us to confront our own limitations and urges us to strive for a higher level of self-discipline. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the various literary devices used in the poem and explore its deeper meaning.

Overview and Summary

"Discipline" is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The poem is written in free verse, and each stanza is composed of short, abrupt statements that create a sense of urgency and tension. The poem opens with the lines, "Somebody has to go polish the stars, / They're looking a little bit dull." These lines immediately grab our attention and make us wonder who this "somebody" is and what it means to "polish the stars."

As the poem progresses, we begin to understand that "polishing the stars" is a metaphor for the need to discipline ourselves and to strive for a higher level of excellence. In the second stanza, the speaker asks, "Somebody has to go and make the world safe for poetry." This line highlights the importance of art and creativity in our lives, and suggests that self-discipline is necessary in order to create something beautiful and meaningful.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker asks, "Somebody has to be prepared to get things wrong." This line acknowledges the fact that we will make mistakes and experience setbacks in our pursuit of self-discipline, but emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the willingness to learn from our failures.

Literary Analysis

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Discipline" is the use of vivid and evocative imagery throughout the poem. The opening lines, for example, create a powerful image of someone polishing the stars, which is both fantastical and inspiring. Similarly, the line "Somebody has to go and make the world safe for poetry" creates a vivid and compelling image of someone fighting for the importance of art and creativity in our lives.

Metaphor

The central metaphor of "Discipline" is the idea of polishing the stars, which represents the need for self-discipline and the pursuit of excellence. This metaphor is extended throughout the poem, as the speaker suggests that we must also make the world safe for poetry and be prepared to make mistakes in order to achieve our goals. By using this metaphor, Lawrence is able to create a powerful and resonant message about the importance of self-discipline in our lives.

Repetition

The poem also makes use of repetition to create a sense of urgency and intensity. The phrase "somebody has to" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of taking action and not waiting for someone else to do what needs to be done. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "polish the stars" throughout the poem reinforces the central metaphor and creates a sense of continuity and coherence.

Tone

The tone of "Discipline" is urgent and passionate, as the speaker implores us to take action and strive for a higher level of self-discipline. The abrupt and staccato style of the poem creates a sense of tension and urgency, and the use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem encourages the reader to reflect on their own level of self-discipline.

Interpretation

"Discipline" is a poem that explores the theme of self-discipline and the struggle between instinct and reason. The central metaphor of polishing the stars represents the need to strive for excellence and to discipline ourselves in order to achieve our goals. The poem suggests that self-discipline is necessary in order to create something beautiful and meaningful and that we must be prepared to make mistakes and learn from our failures.

At a deeper level, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the struggle to balance our instincts and our rational minds. The poem acknowledges the fact that we are not perfect and that we will make mistakes, but emphasizes the importance of persevering and never giving up on our goals.

Ultimately, "Discipline" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that challenges us to confront our own limitations and urges us to strive for a higher level of self-discipline. The poem encourages us to take action and to never give up on our dreams, reminding us that we have the power to shape our own destinies and create something beautiful and meaningful in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Discipline is a classic poem written by D.H. Lawrence that explores the concept of self-control and the importance of discipline in our lives. The poem is a powerful reminder of the need for discipline in our daily lives and how it can help us achieve our goals and aspirations.

The poem begins with the lines, "Discipline, the heart of the warrior; / Discipline, the soul of the sage." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the importance of discipline in both physical and mental pursuits. The warrior and the sage are two archetypes that represent the physical and mental aspects of discipline, respectively.

The poem goes on to describe the benefits of discipline, stating that it "brings order to chaos, / Strength to weakness, / And light to darkness." These lines suggest that discipline is a powerful force that can help us overcome our weaknesses and bring clarity to our lives. It is through discipline that we can achieve our goals and become the best versions of ourselves.

Lawrence also emphasizes the importance of discipline in relationships, stating that it "brings harmony to discord, / And love to hate." These lines suggest that discipline can help us resolve conflicts and build stronger relationships with others. By exercising self-control and discipline, we can avoid unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings, and instead foster a sense of harmony and love in our relationships.

The poem also touches on the idea of discipline as a form of self-improvement, stating that it "transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, / And the mundane into the sublime." These lines suggest that discipline can help us elevate our lives and achieve greatness. By committing ourselves to a disciplined lifestyle, we can transform our ordinary lives into something extraordinary and meaningful.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is, "Discipline is the key to freedom." This line suggests that discipline is not a form of restriction or oppression, but rather a means of achieving true freedom. By exercising self-control and discipline, we can free ourselves from the limitations of our own weaknesses and achieve our full potential.

The poem concludes with the lines, "Discipline, the path to greatness; / Discipline, the way to peace." These lines summarize the central message of the poem, emphasizing the importance of discipline in achieving greatness and finding inner peace. Whether we are pursuing physical or mental goals, building strong relationships, or striving for self-improvement, discipline is the key to success.

In conclusion, Discipline is a powerful poem that explores the concept of self-control and the importance of discipline in our lives. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem reminds us of the benefits of discipline and the role it plays in achieving our goals and aspirations. Whether we are warriors or sages, lovers or dreamers, discipline is the key to unlocking our full potential and finding true freedom and inner peace.

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