'End of the Furrow, The' by William Wilfred Campbell


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When we come to the end of the furrow,
When our last day's work is done,
We will drink of the long red shaft of light
That slants from the westering sun.

We will turn from the field of our labour,
From the warm earth glad and brown,
And wend our feet up that village street,
And with our folk lie down.

Yea, after the long toil, surcease,
Rest to the hearts that roam,
When we join in the mystic silence of eve
The glad procession home.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The End of the Furrow by William Wilfred Campbell: A Masterpiece of Canadian Poetry

Are you a fan of Canadian poetry? Are you looking for a masterpiece that captures the beauty of the Canadian landscape and the complexity of human emotions? Look no further than "The End of the Furrow" by William Wilfred Campbell.

At first glance, "The End of the Furrow" may seem like a simple poem about a farmer finishing his day's work in the field. However, upon closer inspection, this poem reveals a depth of meaning and a richness of language that set it apart as one of the great works of Canadian literature.

The Setting: A Canadian Landscape

The poem opens with a vivid description of the Canadian landscape:

The sunburnt plains lie baked and dead
   Beneath the hot midsummer sky;
The fields are brown, the leaves are shed,
   The winds go moaning by.

Campbell captures the harshness of the Canadian climate, where summers are short and the land is often unforgiving. The repetition of the word "dead" emphasizes the lifelessness of the landscape, setting the stage for the farmer's struggle to eke out a living from the land.

The Farmer: A Symbol of Struggle and Resilience

As the poem progresses, we meet the farmer, who is the heart and soul of this work. Through his eyes, we see the struggles and joys of life on the land. Campbell's language is rich and evocative, as in these lines:

The farmer's toil has ceased at last,
   He leans upon his spade and hears
The crows above the corn-field pass,
   And sees the sunset's changing spheres.

Here, we see the farmer taking a moment to rest and reflect on his day's work. He is a figure of great resilience, enduring the hardships of a life on the land and finding moments of beauty and peace in the midst of it all.

The Poem's Themes: Time, Nature, and the Human Condition

As we delve deeper into "The End of the Furrow," we see that the poem is not just a simple pastoral scene, but a meditation on some of the great themes of literature: time, nature, and the human condition.

Time, in particular, is a recurring motif in this poem. The farmer's work is governed by the passing of the seasons, and he is constantly reminded of the fleeting nature of life. Campbell captures this sense of impermanence in lines such as:

The furrow ends, the day is done,
   The last faint echoes die away;
The farmer homeward turns, and on
   The sky's red waste the night-clouds stray.

Here, we see the farmer finishing his work, as the day and the season come to an end. The "last faint echoes" of the day's work are a reminder of how quickly time passes, and the "night-clouds" suggest a sense of transience and impermanence.

Nature is another theme that runs throughout "The End of the Furrow." Campbell portrays the natural world as both beautiful and harsh, and he captures the complexity of human beings' relationship with the land. On the one hand, the farmer is dependent on nature for his livelihood, and he finds moments of peace and beauty in the midst of it all. On the other hand, he is constantly struggling against the forces of nature, trying to eke out a living from the land.

Finally, "The End of the Furrow" is a meditation on the human condition. Through the figure of the farmer, Campbell explores the struggles and joys of human existence. We see the farmer enduring the hardships of a life on the land, but we also see him finding moments of beauty and peace in the midst of it all. In this sense, the poem is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to endure and find meaning in the face of adversity.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Canadian Poetry

In conclusion, "The End of the Furrow" by William Wilfred Campbell is a masterpiece of Canadian poetry. Through its vivid descriptions of the Canadian landscape and its exploration of some of the great themes of literature, this poem captures the beauty and complexity of human existence. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply looking for a great work of Canadian literature, "The End of the Furrow" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

End of the Furrow, The is a classic poem written by William Wilfred Campbell, a Canadian poet who is known for his love for nature and his ability to capture the essence of the Canadian landscape in his works. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the end of the harvest season, and it is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of the farmers who toil in the fields to bring food to our tables.

The poem begins with a description of the end of the furrow, which is a reference to the end of the plowed field. The speaker describes the furrow as a "long brown seam" that runs through the fields, and he marvels at the beauty of this simple yet profound sight. The furrow is a symbol of the hard work and dedication of the farmers, and it represents the fruits of their labor.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the end of the harvest season and the arrival of autumn. He speaks of the "golden sheaves" that have been gathered from the fields, and he marvels at the beauty of the changing leaves. The speaker is filled with a sense of wonder and awe as he contemplates the beauty of nature, and he is grateful for the bounty that has been provided by the earth.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the Canadian landscape to life. The speaker describes the "purple hills" and the "crimson sky" that are a hallmark of the autumn season, and he marvels at the beauty of the world around him. The poem is a celebration of the natural world, and it is a reminder of the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of language. Campbell's writing is rich and evocative, and he uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The poem is filled with alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices that create a musical quality to the words. This musical quality is a reflection of the beauty of the natural world, and it is a reminder of the power of language to capture the essence of our experiences.

Another important aspect of this poem is its theme of gratitude. The speaker is filled with a sense of gratitude for the bounty that has been provided by the earth, and he is grateful for the hard work and dedication of the farmers who have made this bounty possible. This theme of gratitude is a reminder of the importance of recognizing the contributions of others, and it is a call to action to be more mindful of the ways in which we can give back to our communities.

In conclusion, End of the Furrow, The is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the end of the harvest season and the beauty of the Canadian landscape. It is a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication, and it is a call to action to be more mindful of the ways in which we can give back to our communities. Campbell's writing is rich and evocative, and it captures the essence of the natural world in a way that is both powerful and inspiring. This poem is a true masterpiece of Canadian literature, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty of our world.

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