'Now Returned Home' by Robinson Jeffers
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Beyond the narrows of the Inner Hebrides
We sailed the cold angry sea toward Barra, where Heaval mountain
Lifts like a mast. There were few people on the steamer, it was late in the
year; I noticed most an old shepherd,
Two wise-eyed dogs wove anxious circles around his feet, and a thin-armed
girl
Who cherished what seemed a doll, wrapping it against the sea-wind. When
it moved I said to my wife "She'll smother it."
And she to the girl: "Is your baby cold? You'd better run down out of the
wind and uncover its face."
She raised the shawl and said "He is two weeks old. His mother died in
Glasgow in the hospital
Where he was born. She was my sister." I looked ahead at the bleak island,
gray stones, ruined castle,
A few gaunt houses under the high and comfortless mountain; my wife
looked at the sickly babe,
And said "There's a good doctor in Barra? It will soon be winter." "Ah,"
she answered, "Barra'd be heaven for him,
The poor wee thing, there's Heaval to break the wind. We live on a wee
island yonder away,
Just the one house."
The steamer moored, and a skiff—what they call a
curragh, like a canvas canoe
Equipped with oars—came swiftly along the side. The dark-haired girl
climbed down to it, with one arm holding
That doubtful slip of life to her breast; a tall young man with sea-pale eyes
and an older man
Helped her; if a word was spoken I did not hear it. They stepped a mast
and hoisted a henna-color
Bat's wing of sail.
Now, returned home
After so many thousands of miles of road and ocean, all the hulls sailed in,
the houses visited,
I remember that slender skiff with dark henna sail
Bearing off across the stormy sunset to the distant island
Most clearly; and have rather forgotten the dragging whirlpools of London,
The screaming haste of New York.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Now Returned Home: An Analysis of Robinson Jeffers' Poem
Robinson Jeffers is one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their stark, rugged beauty and their deep concern for the natural world. One of his most famous poems, "Now Returned Home", is a haunting meditation on the passage of time and the transience of human life. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary analysis of Jeffers' poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
Theme
At its core, "Now Returned Home" is a poem about the passage of time and the cycles of life and death. The poem opens with an image of a tree that has been stripped of its leaves by the wind:
The tree has entered my hands, The sap has ascended my palms, The tree has grown in my breast - Downward, The branches grow out of me, like arms.
This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of both growth and decay. The speaker describes how he has "returned home" after a long absence, and how he now sees the world with fresh eyes. He is struck by the beauty of the natural world, but also by its fleeting nature:
The dew that flies Suicidal, at one with the drive Into the red Eye, the cauldron of morning.
The poem is also concerned with the idea of time itself. The speaker reflects on how everything in the natural world is subject to the passage of time, and how even the most enduring things will eventually decay and disappear:
I have aged beyond the work and the work Will never be done. Then let me know Why the standing armies, why the fleets Gathering, why the scientists Writing loud books about the end of man?
Despite the poem's focus on mortality and transience, there is also a sense of hopefulness and renewal in its final lines:
The earth is a fragment of silence In a universe of death; But man is a curious animal. Surrounded by reality he searches For the purpose of nothing; But death - once - at least - he knows is real.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Now Returned Home" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Jeffers uses a wide range of images and metaphors to create a powerful sense of the natural world and its cycles of growth and decay. One of the most powerful images in the poem is the tree that grows from the speaker's breast like arms. This image serves as a metaphor for the speaker's connection to the natural world, as well as his own mortality:
The tree has grown in my breast - Downward, The branches grow out of me, like arms.
Throughout the poem, Jeffers uses a range of other natural images to convey a sense of the transience of life. He describes the "suicidal" dew that flies into the "red eye" of morning, the "fleeting" birds that fill the air, and the "fading" light of the sunset. These images help to create a sense of the natural world as a place of constant change and flux.
Language
Jeffers' use of language in "Now Returned Home" is both simple and powerful. He uses short, declarative sentences and vivid, concrete imagery to create a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. For example, the opening lines of the poem are simple and direct, yet they convey a powerful sense of the speaker's connection to the natural world:
The tree has entered my hands, The sap has ascended my palms, The tree has grown in my breast -
Jeffers' use of repetition also helps to create a sense of emotional intensity. He repeats the phrase "now returned home" throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's sense of rediscovery and renewal. He also repeats the word "why" several times in the final stanza, emphasizing the speaker's sense of bewilderment and frustration in the face of mortality:
Then let me know Why the standing armies, why the fleets Gathering, why the scientists Writing loud books about the end of man?
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Now Returned Home" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of mortality, transience, and the cycles of life and death. Through its vivid imagery, simple language, and emotional intensity, the poem creates a powerful sense of the natural world and its beauty and fragility. While the poem is often dark and somber in tone, there is also a sense of hopefulness and renewal in its final lines, suggesting that even in the face of mortality and decay, there is still a sense of wonder and curiosity that drives us forward.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Now Returned Home: A Poem of Nature and the Human Condition
Robinson Jeffers’ poem, Now Returned Home, is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between nature and the human condition. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and a meditation on the human experience of returning to one’s roots. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of the natural world, Jeffers creates a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader.
The poem begins with a description of the natural world, as the speaker observes the “wild geese” flying overhead. The geese are a symbol of freedom and movement, and their flight represents the endless cycle of life and death that characterizes the natural world. The speaker is struck by the beauty of the geese and their “wild cry,” which echoes through the sky. This cry is a reminder of the power and majesty of nature, and the speaker is filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the sight.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on his own life and experiences. He speaks of his “long journey” and the many “cities and men” he has encountered along the way. These experiences have left him feeling “weary” and “lost,” and he longs to return to the simplicity and beauty of nature. He yearns to be “now returned home,” to the place where he belongs.
The theme of returning home is central to the poem, and it is a theme that resonates deeply with many readers. The idea of returning to one’s roots, of rediscovering the natural world and the simple pleasures of life, is a powerful one. It speaks to a universal human experience, the longing for a sense of belonging and connection to something greater than oneself.
Jeffers’ use of language is particularly striking in this poem. He employs vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey his message. For example, he describes the geese as “black arrows” that “pierce the sky.” This image is both beautiful and powerful, conveying the speed and strength of the birds as they fly. Similarly, he describes the “white clouds” as “pillars of fire,” a metaphor that suggests the transformative power of nature.
The poem also contains a sense of urgency, as the speaker feels a need to return home before it is too late. He speaks of the “long journey” he has taken, and the many “cities and men” he has encountered along the way. These experiences have left him feeling “weary” and “lost,” and he longs to return to the simplicity and beauty of nature. He yearns to be “now returned home,” to the place where he belongs.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase “now returned home” is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of this theme. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and longing, as the speaker yearns to return to his roots.
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers’ poem, Now Returned Home, is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between nature and the human condition. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of the natural world, Jeffers creates a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and a meditation on the human experience of returning to one’s roots. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty and majesty of nature, and the importance of reconnecting with the natural world in order to find a sense of belonging and connection to something greater than oneself.
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