'Once By The Pacific' by Robert Frost


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The shattered water made a misty din.
Great waves looked over others coming in,
And thought of doing something to the shore
That water never did to land before.
The clouds were low and hairy in the skies,
Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes.
You could not tell, and yet it looked as if
The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff,
The cliff in being backed by continent;
It looked as if a night of dark intent
Was coming, and not only a night, an age.
Someone had better be prepared for rage.
There would be more than ocean-water broken
Before God's last Put out the light was spoken.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Once By The Pacific: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

"Once By The Pacific" is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems, written in 1920. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the sea's power and the human's vulnerability in front of it. It is a poem that shows the reader the beauty of the sea and its terrifying power. The poem is full of vivid imagery and vivid descriptions that make the reader feel as if they were standing by the sea, listening to its waves crashing against the shore.

Summary

The poem begins with a description of the sea, which is portrayed as being relentless and powerful. The waves are described as being "full of a force that's just a threat" (line 2). The sea is also described as being "dark" and "turbulent" (line 4). These descriptions help to create a sense of foreboding and danger.

The speaker then goes on to describe a group of people who are standing by the sea, watching the waves. The people are described as being "mute" and "dumb" (line 6), which suggests that they are in awe of the sea's power. The speaker then goes on to describe the moon, which is portrayed as being "cold" and "aloof" (line 9). This description helps to create a sense of isolation and loneliness.

The poem then takes a slightly different turn, as the speaker begins to describe the sea in more positive terms. The sea is described as being "joyous" and "friendly" (line 11). The speaker also describes the sea as being "wild" and "free" (line 13), which suggests that there is something exhilarating about being by the sea.

The poem ends with a return to the idea of danger and foreboding. The speaker describes how the sea will "beaten against the shore" (line 14), which suggests that the sea is an unstoppable force. The poem ends with the speaker asking the question "What would the world be, once bereft/Of wet and of wildness?" (lines 15-16). This question suggests that the sea is an important part of the natural world, and that without it, the world would be a much poorer place.

Literary Analysis

"Once By The Pacific" is a poem that is full of vivid imagery and vivid descriptions. The sea is portrayed as being both beautiful and terrifying, and the poem captures the sense of awe that the sea can inspire in people. One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that the sea is an uncontrollable force that can be both joyful and dangerous.

The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This helps to give the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which is appropriate given the subject matter. The use of enjambment (where lines of poetry run on without a pause) also helps to create a sense of fluidity and movement.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including personification, metaphor, and alliteration. For example, the sea is personified as being "full of a force that's just a threat" (line 2), which gives it a sense of agency and power. The moon is also metaphorically described as being "cold" and "aloof" (line 9), which creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The use of alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) in lines such as "Wild waves whist" (line 13) also helps to create a sense of rhythm and movement.

Interpretation

At its heart, "Once By The Pacific" is a poem about the power of nature and the human's place within it. The sea is portrayed as being a powerful and uncontrollable force, and the people who watch it are portrayed as being in awe of its power. The poem also suggests that the sea is an important part of the natural world, and that without it, the world would be a much poorer place.

The poem can also be interpreted as a meditation on the human condition. The sea is a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, its joys and dangers. The people who watch the sea are like humans, standing in the face of the unknown and being buffeted by the forces of nature. The poem suggests that we must embrace the unpredictability of life and find joy in the wildness and unpredictability of the world.

Conclusion

"Once By The Pacific" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the sense of awe and wonder that the sea can inspire in people. It is a poem that is full of vivid imagery and vivid descriptions, and it offers a meditation on the power of nature and the human's place within it. The poem is a reminder of the importance of embracing the wildness and unpredictability of the world, and finding joy in the face of the unknown.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Once By The Pacific: A Masterpiece by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the natural world. His poem "Once By The Pacific" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the ocean and the power it holds over human beings. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem begins with a description of the ocean, which is portrayed as a powerful and unpredictable force that can destroy everything in its path. Frost uses vivid imagery to describe the ocean, painting a picture of a vast and endless expanse of water that stretches out as far as the eye can see. He writes:

"The shattered water made a misty din. Great waves looked over others coming in, And thought of doing something to the shore That water never did to land before."

These lines convey the immense power of the ocean, which is capable of creating waves that can destroy anything in their path. The use of the word "shattered" to describe the water creates a sense of chaos and destruction, while the phrase "misty din" suggests a sense of confusion and uncertainty.

As the poem progresses, Frost introduces the idea of human beings facing the power of the ocean. He writes:

"The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes. You could not tell, and yet it looked as if The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff,"

These lines suggest that human beings are at the mercy of the ocean, and that even the most solid and stable structures, such as cliffs, can be destroyed by its power. The clouds are described as "low and hairy," which creates a sense of foreboding and danger. The phrase "locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes" suggests that the ocean is watching and waiting, ready to strike at any moment.

Frost then introduces the idea of human beings trying to resist the power of the ocean. He writes:

"The water seemed to have turned colder As if to scare them, but it looked too cold. The clothiers' children and the peddlers Nearly emptied the beach of merchandise."

These lines suggest that human beings are afraid of the power of the ocean, and that they are trying to protect themselves by removing their belongings from the beach. The phrase "the water seemed to have turned colder" suggests that the ocean is actively trying to scare human beings away, while the phrase "it looked too cold" suggests that human beings are not easily intimidated.

As the poem reaches its climax, Frost describes the moment when the ocean finally unleashes its power. He writes:

"The storm came up so sudden and so white The men and women stared out of the doors And windows in the houses on the hill As if they'd never seen the sea before."

These lines suggest that the power of the ocean is so overwhelming that human beings are completely powerless in the face of it. The storm is described as "sudden and so white," which creates a sense of shock and surprise. The fact that the men and women are staring out of their doors and windows suggests that they are completely helpless, unable to do anything to protect themselves.

Finally, Frost ends the poem with a sense of resignation and acceptance. He writes:

"The tumult of each battered shore Booms on the ear long after. The tides are in our veins, we've swum the seas. And feel on land the weight of what was felt."

These lines suggest that human beings are intimately connected to the ocean, and that its power is a part of us. The phrase "the tides are in our veins" suggests that we are all connected to the ocean, and that its power is a part of our very being. The fact that we "feel on land the weight of what was felt" suggests that we are forever changed by our encounter with the ocean, and that its power will always be a part of us.

In conclusion, "Once By The Pacific" is a masterpiece that captures the power and unpredictability of the ocean. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Frost explores the relationship between human beings and the natural world, and the ways in which we are forever changed by our encounters with it. This poem is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet, and to his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines of verse.

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