'July Fourth By The Ocean' by Robinson Jeffers


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The continent's a tamed ox, with all its mountains,
Powerful and servile; here is for plowland, here is
for park and playground, this helpless
Cataract for power; it lies behind us at heel
All docile between this ocean and the other. If
flood troubles the lowlands, or earthquake
Cracks walls, it is only a slave's blunder or the
natural
Shudder of a new made slave. Therefore we happy
masters about the solstice
Light bonfires on the shore and celebrate our power.
The bay's necklaced with fire, the bombs make crystal
fountains in the air, the rockets
Shower swan's-neck over the night water.... I
imagined
The stars drew apart a little as if from troublesome
children, coldly compassionate;
But the ocean neither seemed astonished nor in awe:
If this had been the little sea that Xerxes whipped,
how it would have feared us.


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

July Fourth By The Ocean: An Interpretation

Are you ready to dive into the world of Robinson Jeffers and his famous poem, "July Fourth By The Ocean"? This classic work of literature is a stunning representation of Jeffers' unique style and perspective on life. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the various themes, symbols, and literary devices that make this poem a masterpiece.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate the man behind the work. Robinson Jeffers was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1887 to 1962. He was born in Pennsylvania and spent most of his life in California, where he developed a deep connection to the natural world. Jeffers' poetry is known for its powerful imagery, philosophical themes, and stark realism.

"July Fourth By The Ocean" was written in 1948, during a period of great social and political change in the United States. The poem reflects Jeffers' response to the post-WWII era, in which he saw the nation struggling to find its way forward. With this context in mind, let's begin our analysis.

Themes

One of the central themes in "July Fourth By The Ocean" is the tension between nature and civilization. Jeffers presents the ocean as a symbol of raw, untamed power, in contrast to the controlled and artificial world of human society. The speaker describes the sound of the waves as "the monstrous groaning of the ice-floes," evoking a sense of primordial chaos.

At the same time, Jeffers recognizes that civilization has its own strengths and virtues. He acknowledges the "great cities" that have been built by human hands, and the "moon-blancht faces" of the people who inhabit them. However, he also sees the danger of becoming too enamored with our own creations, and losing touch with the natural world that sustains us.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of change and impermanence. The speaker reflects on the transience of human life, and the inevitability of death. He observes the passing of "white-haired fathers and mothers," and the arrival of "new-born infants." He also notes the changing seasons and the "frosty stars" that mark the passage of time.

Despite these reflections on mortality, the poem maintains a sense of hope and optimism. Jeffers suggests that even though our lives are fleeting, there is still meaning to be found in the world around us. By embracing the natural world and recognizing our place within it, we can find a sense of purpose and belonging.

Symbolism

The ocean is perhaps the most prominent symbol in "July Fourth By The Ocean." As mentioned earlier, it represents the raw power and unpredictability of nature. However, it also has a more complex and ambiguous meaning. The speaker describes the ocean as "the womb and tomb of life," suggesting that it both gives and takes away.

This ambiguity is reflected in the way that Jeffers describes the ocean's sounds. At times, the waves are portrayed as a soothing, comforting presence, as in the lines "all night the waves, / Moving in the dark with a kind of grave / And dumb tenderness." At other times, they are portrayed as a chaotic, destructive force, as in the lines "the monstrous groaning of the ice-floes."

Another symbol that appears in the poem is the American flag. The speaker observes that "the flag is at half-mast," a reference to the mourning of a national tragedy. This symbolizes the pain and loss that the nation has experienced, and the need to come together in the face of adversity.

Literary Devices

One of the most striking features of "July Fourth By The Ocean" is its use of imagery. Jeffers paints vivid pictures of the natural world, using language that is both concrete and evocative. Consider, for example, the following lines:

The night is full of the sea-sound,
And their restless light
Rocks us in a semblance of rest;
Sleep, and be quiet,
Sleep, and be quiet.

Here, Jeffers creates a sensory experience for the reader, using words like "sea-sound" and "restless light" to evoke the feeling of being rocked by the waves. This technique is used throughout the poem, helping to bring the natural world to life.

Another literary device that Jeffers employs is repetition. The phrase "sleep, and be quiet" appears several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. This repetition also reinforces the idea that the natural world is a source of comfort and tranquility.

Finally, Jeffers' use of language is noteworthy for its simplicity and directness. He eschews flowery language and abstract concepts, instead using straightforward words and phrases to convey his ideas. This approach is in keeping with Jeffers' overall philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of honesty and clarity in writing.

Conclusion

"July Fourth By The Ocean" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. Through his use of imagery, symbolism, and literary devices, Robinson Jeffers creates a world that is both familiar and mysterious, both comforting and unsettling. The poem invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and to consider the role that we play in shaping the world around us.

As we emerge from the global pandemic and confront the challenges of a rapidly changing world, Jeffers' words resonate with a new sense of urgency. His call to embrace the natural world and find meaning in our lives is more relevant than ever. So let us take heart in the wisdom of this great poet, and find solace in the beauty and power of the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

July Fourth By The Ocean: A Celebration of Nature and Freedom

Robinson Jeffers’ poem July Fourth By The Ocean is a beautiful ode to nature and freedom. Written in 1940, during a time of great political turmoil and uncertainty, the poem celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world, and the freedom that comes from being in harmony with it. In this article, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and analyze its significance in the context of Jeffers’ life and times.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the ocean, which is portrayed as a powerful and majestic force:

The continent’s a tamed ox, with all its mountains,
Powerful and servile;
The ocean is a wild horse,
That range from shore to shore.

This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with references to the natural world and its untamed beauty. Jeffers’ use of metaphor and personification creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the natural world is a living, breathing entity that demands our respect and admiration.

The poem then shifts its focus to the celebration of July Fourth, which is traditionally associated with the idea of freedom and independence. However, Jeffers’ interpretation of this holiday is different from the usual patriotic rhetoric. Instead of celebrating the achievements of human civilization, he celebrates the beauty and power of nature:

The sea is not a tomb of soldiers,
Nor a shrine of bards;
It is a beautiful, terrible thing,
That is not made for men.

This passage is particularly significant, as it highlights Jeffers’ belief that nature is not something that can be conquered or tamed by human beings. Instead, it is a force that exists independently of us, and demands our respect and reverence. This idea is further reinforced in the following lines:

It is the ocean’s day,
And the sun and the wind and the thunder,
And the sea-birds and the gulls
And the fish that dart and wander
Beneath the waves’ green thunder.

Here, Jeffers celebrates the interconnectedness of all living things, and the idea that we are all part of a larger, more complex ecosystem. The ocean, the sun, the wind, and the thunder are all given equal importance, as if they are all part of a grand symphony that is playing out before us.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Jeffers reflects on the destructive power of human civilization:

But we have built our cities
And our ships and our guns,
And we have forgotten the sea
And the wind and the sun.

This passage is particularly poignant, as it highlights the ways in which human beings have become disconnected from the natural world. We have built our cities and our machines, and in doing so, we have forgotten the beauty and power of the ocean and the wind and the sun. This theme is further developed in the following lines:

We have forgotten the freedom
That was ours when the world was young,
When the ocean was a wild horse
And the land was a tamed ox.

Here, Jeffers contrasts the freedom and harmony of the natural world with the constraints and limitations of human civilization. He suggests that we have lost something essential in our quest for progress and development, and that we need to reconnect with the natural world in order to regain our sense of freedom and independence.

The poem ends with a call to action, as Jeffers urges us to embrace the beauty and power of the natural world:

Let us go down to the shore
And watch the great waves
That roll in from the Atlantic
And break on the rocks.

This final passage is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the key to our freedom and independence lies in our ability to connect with the natural world. By watching the waves and the rocks, we can gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and power of the ocean, and in doing so, we can regain our sense of wonder and awe.

In conclusion, July Fourth By The Ocean is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world, and the freedom that comes from being in harmony with it. Through his use of metaphor and personification, Jeffers creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the natural world is a living, breathing entity that demands our respect and admiration. By contrasting the freedom and harmony of the natural world with the constraints and limitations of human civilization, Jeffers suggests that we need to reconnect with the natural world in order to regain our sense of freedom and independence. This message is particularly relevant today, as we face unprecedented challenges in the form of climate change and environmental degradation. By embracing the beauty and power of the natural world, we can create a more sustainable and harmonious future for ourselves and for future generations.

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